Latino Leaders Magazine | June 2015

THE TOP HISPANICS IN TECHNOLOGY

JORGE RIVERO, A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS

THE FACE OF THE FUTURE

GEORGE P. BUSH June 2015 Vol. 16 No. 3

www.latinoleaders.com

TALKS ABOUT SERVICE TO COUNTRY, FAMILY AND BELONGING TO ONE OF AMERICA’S GREAT POLITICAL LINEAGES

CONTENTS JUNE 2015

42

COVER STORY:

DYNASTY For decades, people have speculated about George P. Bush’s future. Will he reach for taller political heights?

Is he the heir apparent? For now, he just wants to do a good job as Texas Land Commissioner.

Latino Leaders met with Bush and brings you the lowdown on the man who some say may hold the key to the country’s vision for the future. .

2 • June 2015

CONTENTS JUNE 2015 6 Publisher meets: Jorge Ferráez

met George P. Bush and says he believes the most promising of the Bush family is the real article.

8 Editor’s letter: Joseph Treviño

tackles the ruckus between Jorge Ramos and Ann Coulter and tells us what this really means.

28

12 Hispanic future: The head of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation has one mission in life: to help young Latinos succeed.

14 New City Manager in town: El

Paso has a new City Manager with a bold new vision in Tommy Gonzalez.

20 The visionary of Chicago: Jesús

“Chuy” García almost became mayor of Chicago. He lost a race, but won the heart of the city and many admirers across the nation.

24 Immigration beat: Adrián Carrasquillo is in charge of Buzzfeed’s Latino political beat and he tells Eric Moreno how he is getting ready to cover the presidential race.

26 Thou shalt not envy: A look at Rubén Navarrette, perhaps America’s best Latino columnist and his views on culture, politics and why envy may be the worst enemy of Hispanics.

Story by Laura Reagan-Porrras.

28 The man every male Latino wants to be: Jorge

Rivero, Mexico’s legendary sex symbol answers our Proust questionnaire, as we go deep into the soul of the film superstar who ruled Mexican cinema from the 60s to the early 90s.

30 Monitor: The latest news from the leadership front.

54 Technology, Hispanic style: Pablo Schneider looks at the top 20 Latinos in technology and what this all means.

9, 56 Social media: We bring you the skinny on

what has been going on during the amazing Latina Vanguard Series and the cool NBC, Latino Media Talent Showcase.

35 Political animals: We bring you the top 15

Latinos in politics. Laura Rivas tells us what they are up to and why we should care to get to know them.

62 Reviews: Our new gadget review section explores Bower & Wilkins’ T7, a new wireless speaker that is trying to become the best of its kind in the world.

48 Back to the future: Our portfolio by Judi Jordan

64 Cellar: Jorge Ferráez reviews the Molly

showcases five Latinos in technology that you just have to meet.

4 • June 2015

Dooker, the Domaine Joblot GIVRY and the latest Chardonnay from Los Carneros. ¡Salud!

JORGE & RAUL FERRAEZ / PRESIDENTS OF FERRAEZ USA

A CONVERSATION WITH THE PUBLISHER

I

Meet George P. Bush

I met George P Bush back in 2003 at the inauguration of The Latino Cultural Center in Dallas, TX. Our common good friend Pablo Schneider introduced us and I had a brief conversation with a young promising Latino Leader.

The impression he made was of a reflective, smart and analytical young man. He wanted to know more about Latino leaders and connecting with people.

Four or five years later we met again at a fundraiser for a Republican candidate in Dallas I can’t remember. But what I do recall is that the young man with inquisitive eyes and perceptive of the many conversations and introductions, was right there, probably learning and absorbing all these experiences for his own insights.

Over the years we have met occasionally at other events and conferences and it was when we did his interview for this edition when I had a better opportunity to talk more. After almost an hour of a very vivid and candid conversation about him and his life, his family and his job, I left with a good idea of who he is.

I’m convinced George P. Bush can become the real future for Latino politicians. Not only because of his name and political lineage, but for the reason that he represents what a real Latino politician should be: a good combination of youth, political support, acquired experience, good networking and his own visions; views that he needs to start discussing to make sure he will engage with Latinos.

With this his followers will start seeing him as the kind of politician they want to support. I’m sure starting a political career is not easy.

But Bush has a great platform, a great name, a great opportunity to become a real “hero” for Hispanics in this country.

6 • June 2015

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

I

NEW RELIGION

In an age where we have traded religion for politics, our current issue makes a lot of sense.

Yes, our dogmatism in our own creeds, whether on the left, right or the middle, often leads us to see everything via those lenses, a trait that reminds me of how many in the Middle Ages would view the world, be it through their Christian or Islamic faith.

So when people say that America is becoming less religious, I tend to disagree; we are still very religious, with the exception that we just exchanged our former congregations for the church of politics.

Don’t believe me? When was the last time you watched a civilized conversation between opposing rivals on subjects like reproductive rights or same-sex marriage?

You didn’t. The closest you got was seeing the two rival camps frothing at the mouth —where sentiments shrouded reason (Voltaire, the champion of reason! Where art thou when we need you the most?)— and in came the insults, name-calling, cheap shots and personal attacks from both sides, with no substance at all.

Such was the case when last month Jorge Ramos, the TV newsman who made it to the cover of Time Magazine, tried to interview Ann Coulter, the outspoken conservative personality, regarding her latest book, Adiós America, about the supposed perils of immigration.

For those who have not seen the program, America with Jorge Ramos, which aired in Fusion, let’s just say it is quite trying to endure how a great opportunity to have a real, profound discussion like we used to see in the 80s on Mexican shows like Para Gente Grande (For Grownups) ended in disaster.

Ramos tried his best to keep his journalistic composure, while Coulter, being Coulter, did what she does best: launch a fusillade of acrid one-liners, incendiary phrases and insulting remarks like how Mexicans can be more dangerous to American citizens than ISIS. Coulter’s remarks that immigrants —”Mexicans,” as she calls them— only want to change alleged American-style, Anglo-Saxon culture are akin to barbarians invading the old Roman Empire is ridiculous and plain ignorant of history. According to historians like Hilaire Belloc, the old time barbarians who immigrated to the confines of the Roman Republic wanted to be a part of that culture and did so, quite like Latino immigrants and their American-born children today become an ingredient of the fabric of America, including joining the armed forces.

Contrary to the commonly held misperception that it was the unassimilated barbarians who brought down old Rome, Belloc, in Europe and the Faith, explains in detail that it was really the immigrants within the Roman boundaries who helped prolong the life of the empire. Civilizations, like people, wither and die of old age and so Rome did, Belloc wrote.

Of course the Ramos show, despite its best intentions, was a missed opportunity. An immigration debate with, say, conservative visionaries like William J. Bennett or someone like the late Jack Kemp, would have brought a whole new dimension to the show.

What we got instead was sadly more of the same, rabid rhetoric. It is intellectual barbarism —often from both sides— and a philosophy that refuses to engage in real discussions and debates: from the left we get a snobbery that truly believes it is omniscient and declines to condescend to debate its rivals, while on the right we get, well, Ann Coulter.

But for now, politics, especially in the following years, will be unavoidable. The presidential elections are just around the corner and Latinos, for many reasons, will most likely be right in the middle of things.

Connecting Leaders, Inspiring the Future

Publisher Jorge Ferraez

President and CEO Raul Ferraez

Editor-in-Chief: Joseph Treviño jtrevino@latinoleaders.com Director of Journalism: Mariana Gutierrez Briones mariana@latinoleaders.com Director of Communications & Special Events Yol-Itzma Aguirre yaguirre@latinoleaders.com Administrative Director: Christina Bacon cbacon@latinoleaders.com Circulation Manager and Editorial Assistant Stephanie Rivas srivas@latinoleaders.com Washington, D.C. Sales Associate and Representative Deyanira Ferraez dferraez@latinoleaders.com Art Director: Fernando Izquierdo ferdiseno@latinoleaders.com Editorial Art & Design: Rodrigo Valderrama Carlos Cuevas Luis Enrique González Human Resources Manager: Susana Sanchez Administration and Bookkeeping: Claudia García Bejarano Executive Assistant to the Publishers: Liliana Morales Circulation System Manager: Raúl Hernández For advertising inquiries, please call 214-206-4966 x 225.

Latino Leaders: The National Magazine of the Successful American Latino (ISSN 15293998) is published seven times annually by Ferraez Publications of America Corp., 15443 Knoll Trail, Suite 210, 75248 Dallas, TX, USA, June 2015.

Subscription rates: In U.S. and possessions, one year $15.00. Checks payable to Ferraez Publications of America, 15443 Knoll Trail, Suite 210, 75248 Dallas, TX, USA. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Latino Leaders, 15443 Knoll Trail, Suite 210, 75248 Dallas, TX, USA.© 2001 by Ferraez Publications of America Corporation. All rights reserved. No part of this periodical may be reproduced without the consent of Latino Leaders: The National Magazine of the Successful American Latino. The periodical’s name and logo, and the various titles and headings therein, are trademarks of Ferraez Publications of America Corp.

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8 • June 2015

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latinoleaders.com

EVENTS

LATINA VANGUARD

MIAMI

MARCH 26, 2015 STORY BY HORTENSE LEÓN PHOTOS BY OSPINA PHOTOGRAPHY— MIAMI

the same values—namely that what matters most in life, and what contributes most to a successful career, are close family connections and a good education.

They came together for the Miami Latina Vanguard Series. The series has been held in several cities across the country, sponsored by Northwestern Mutual.

“There is a strong entrepreneurial spirit and tremendous networking (in Miami), because Hispanics are the majority here and they know each other from their countries,” said Helen Aguirre Ferre, a prominent Miami bi-lingual print and TV journalist, herself from a family of Nicaraguan exiles.

The value of Bilingualism Bilingualism is valued in Miami. “In fact, (many Americans living in Miami) are intimidated by us because they aren’t bilingual,” said Elizabeth Bengochea, owner of Overseas Freight Solutions, an import-export firm in Miami.

“You can spend the entire day in Miami and only hear Spanish. In that sense, we are different,” from other cities in the US, said Corali Lopez-Castro, a bankruptcy attorney.

As a successful professional, López-Castro has received requests to become a mentor. Recently, she said that she received such a request from a young, female attorney. She complied she said, because “we have an obligation to mentor other women.” At the same time, she reported that her own best mentors have been men.

“Everyone (who is successful) had a mentor,” said Aguirre Ferre. “No one did it alone.”

In addition to having a good mentor, López-Castro said that for a professional woman to be successful, she needs a supportive partner. She described

ABOVE: FROM LEFT: HELEN AGUIRRE FERRE, ELIZABETH BENGOCHEA AND DARLING J. LIE-NIELSEN. LEFT: CORALI LÓPEZ-CASTRO

herself as fortunate in having a husband/partner who is also a lawyer and understands the work issues that she encounters every day as well as the need to devote a lot of time to work. “When a client needs a problem resolved, if I were tied to someone else’s schedule,” that would not work, she said.

Darling J. Lie-Nielsen, a financial representative at Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, who advises clients on insurance and investment plans, also believes in the importance of having a supportive spouse. “My husband John loves me for many things, including the fact that I have a career,” she says. “He understands some of the struggles I have during the day,” an understanding “that brings with it a tighter bond,” she said.

Each woman at the table had her own unique experience with being a working mother. Aida Levitán, now retired, who, with her former husband owned an advertising agency and currently does philanthropic work, told the group that her ex10 • June 2015

LATINO LEADERS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

ON THE LEFT: ALEXANDRA VILLOCH, AIDA LEVITÁN AND CORALI LÓPEZ-CASTRO. BELOW: ALEXANDRA VILLOCH, PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER OF MIAMI HERALD MEDIA COMPANY.BELOW, LEFT, HELEN AGUIRRE FERRE, AN AWARD-WINNING JOURNALIST LISTENS ON.

“Everyone (who is successful) had a mentor. No one did it alone.” -Helen Aguirre Ferre, a prominent Miami bilingual print and TV journalist, herself from a family of Nicaraguan exiles.

husband had been her business partner for 20 years, even though they were only married for 17 years.

Because she and her then-husband both needed outside support to carry out domestic responsibilities while they worked long hours, they hired a Peruvian woman, who had sought political asylum in the US, to be an allaround helper. “She (had been) a middle class woman with four children living in Peru and was excellent at organization,” said Levitán. “She gave me tremendous support,” she said. Although Levitán’s mother was also supportive, she noted that the Peruvian housekeeper also acted as a baby sitter, chauffer and sometimes cook.

Family power A number of the women at the gathering had parents who had been forced to leave their countries for political reasons. As political exiles, ”We had no

idea how long we would be here (in the US),” said Aguirre Ferre, “so women had to find work as seamstresses.”

As the children of immigrants whose parents were well-educated, the women at the luncheon all reported a strong need to succeed fostered by their parents. “We had to be the best of the best,” said Ferre.

Hispanic families encourage their daughters to go to college, not just their sons, the Latinas at the gathering agreed. But they often do not encourage their daughters to leave home. Quite the contrary.

Alexandra Villoch, president and publisher at the Miami Herald related her story about going to college: “I had been accepted at Georgetown University at 16,” said Villoch. “But when it came time to actually pack up and go, my mother and aunt sat me down in our living room and cried,” she said. “‘We cook your dinner, we wash your clothes, why do you need to leave?’ they asked me,” said Villoch. “And so I stayed and enrolled in Miami-Dade College two weeks before school started and never went away to college.”

“Fast forward 29 years later when my daughter got accepted to Princeton, it was the same story,” said Villoch. “My aunt and mother came into my living room and asked the same questions. ‘(New Jersey) is far away and very cold. Why does she need to go there?’ they asked me. ‘After all, you stayed home and you have done very well,’” said the Miami Herald publisher. This time Villoch’s answer was a swift. “There’s no discussion here—she is going away.” latinoleaders.com

STORY BY ANNELISE JENSEN / PHOTO BY ANDY RAMÍREZ

Youth Champion

José Antonio Tijerino is serious about turning youths into leaders— today

José Antonio Tijerino, a true role model for today’s youth

“Tijerino asks students how to “jump off a building and how to create a parachute on your way down.”

hen asked, José Antonio Tijerino will tell you it’s all about young people.

He will explain that the source of his inspiration comes from the youth he has worked with over his 17-year tenure with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF). Within three years of joining the foundation he rose to become President and CEO of HHF. And it’s little wonder why. Tijerino is a philanthropist for promoting America’s talented young Latino, advocating educational programs and awareness campaigns.

His overwhelming dedication to the foundation and the endless work that comes with it has even creeped into his sleep.

“Sundays I can’t sleep because I’m can’t wait to go to work the next day” explains Tijerino.

After graduating from University of Maryland with a B.S. in Journalism, Tijerino went on to work public relations at Burson-Marsteller. Then Tijerino took a job at Nike, INC. headquarters in Oregon as their spokesman.

Marketing for Nike taught him how to reach young people, knowledge that proved handy in his later career with HHF. Tijerino became the Fannie Mae Foundation’s director of public relations, which is when he was introduced to the man who would become his “hero,” Dr. Pedro Joe Greer. At that time, the Fannie Mac Foundation funded the Hispanic Heritage Foundation awards and Tijerino collaborated with HHF Chairman Dr. Greer on several projects.

Shared vision

These two dedicated men shared a vision to help America’s innovative Latino youth. In 1998, they architected the Hispanic Heritage Youth Award, one of the most distinguished accolades offered to high school Latino students for exceptionalism in their academics and communities.

“That is when Dr. Greer asked me to take the Executive Director position for the program, said that I ‘should focus on how to serve our community, no matter what direction you take.’”

Today, Tijerino is the President and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, furthering his effort to give promising Latino youth their best chance to be the “leaders of today, not the leaders of tomorrow”.

The last 14 years has exemplified Tijerino commitment and hard work. The HispanGETTIN ic Heritage Foundation is a non-profit organization established by the White House KNOW G TO in 1987, promoting America’s Latino youth in the classrooms and communities.

JOSÉ Tijerino credits the talented youth and staff he works alongside with every day that inspires him to do his best.

The dire Tijerino is Over the years the foundation’s Latinos on the Fast Track (LOFT) program has cto Heritager of the Hispan ic flourished, advocating bright young Latinos in the workforce through 10 prioriFounda tion. ties or “tracks,” including education. Recently, the foundation signed a memoH is Working with y specialty is randum of understanding (MOU) with the White House, a joint effort to forhave theouth and makin g best opp ward educational programs for America’s young Latinos. ortunitiesure they Mr. Tijeri s Tijerino often hears employers complain about the lack of capable Latinos in n o But his w is origin o a ll rk y w fr om ith L the workforce. Under Tijerino’s leadership, HHF challenges employers concerns led the M exica atinos of all Nicaragua by “rounding up all the Latino programs in Silicon Valley” to showcase technolof that c n government backgrounds h as ountry’s to give h ogy savvy Latino students. the Ohtl highest honors im one i , A ward Over a hundred students attended the Silicon Valley event, 40% of which were female. Major companies took notice and the network got bigger from L.A. to New York.

He want young Latino’s to fill the 1.4 million job gap in the tech industry, which is expected in the next 5 years.

A passion for youth

While most people work to keep Latino youth in school and preventing unplanned pregnancies, Tijerino and HHF focus impacting communities through education for those graduating. To best address many issues in the Latino communities through promising Latino students with high GPAs, creative and that are connected with their communities.

To supply the HHF youth with all the advantages possible, Tijerino and his family over the years have opened their home to students in the foundation. Dozens of young students that come to Washington, D.C for interns and events have been welcomed into the Tijerino household as honored guests.

Tijerino can recite all their names without any hesitation. He knows their background, dreams, and the adversities they have faced, but most importantly he sees their potential.

Along with his Foundation duties, Tijerino is on the board of several institutes and projects that endorse education initiatives. He has receiving numerous awards for his philanthropy work with youth, including the prestigious Ohtli Award given by the Mexican government. He is the first non-Mexican awardee, hailing from a Nicaraguan decent. He has been featured in several publications and has spoken during many public events.

When describing the type of innovation the foundation strives for, Tijerino asks students how to “jump off a building and how to create a parachute on your way down.”

“Sundays I can’t sleep because I’m can’t wait to go to work the next day”

TOMMY GONZALEZ, WHO HAS BEEN CITY MANAGER IN TEXAN CITIES LIKE LUBBOCK AND IRVING, NOW LEADS EL PASO. HERE LAUGHS DURING A CITY COUNCIL SESSION.

BORDER VISION

TOMMY GONZÁLEZ IS THE NEW CITY MANAGER OF EL PASO

His resume reads with a list of accomplishments that go from army missions in war zones, leading cities with a $500 million budget to winning presidential awards for excellence in leadership skills.

14 • June 2015

Story by Staff of Latino Leaders Photos Courtesy

B

ut now, Tommy González is facing what may be his biggest challenge in a storied career: To lead the city of El Paso. The Texas border town, with a large military presence, an international trade center and home to many world-class companies, is a test for anyone to direct.

Still, some observers claim that González is up to the challenge. In 2012, President Barack Obama awarded the 2012 Malcom Baldrige National Quality Award –the highest honor of its kind for performance excellence- to the City of Irving, during González’s stint as City Manager there.

“Irving, Texas is implementing new ideas that set an example of what a healthier, safer, more efficient city looks like,” Obama said in May, 2013.

In May 2014, the City Council of El Paso approved of hiring González. He became the second City Manger since 2004, when the voters of that city approved that style of government.

TOMMY GONZÁLEZ, THE CITY MANAGER OF EL PASO, WITH A LITTLE GIRL, AT CITY COUNCIL.

“It’s a city that, as a city manager, you look forward to being able to manage a city like this one, especially with the commitment the council and the community have made with the quality of life projects,” González said.

The making of a City Manager Before he came to El Paso, González, who is from Texas, was in the U.S. Army, serving during the first Gulf War. He spent 22 years in the military, doing stints in the Middle East, in South America as a liaison to military commanders and in then Bosnia-Herzegovina, as a senior International Officer in the Multi-National Division in the British Sector.

During his stint in Bosnia, González helped create hundreds of jobs, redevelop businesses and schools in eight cities.

A former football player, González, 47,who is athletic, stays in shape and plays sports, remained in the military as a reservist while he joined the City of Lubbock (a town in the Northeastern part of Texas). He began heading a graffiti removal program, where during his first year graffiti was removed from 220 sites, six houses, 10 homes for seniors; the program was so successful that it was copied in five other cities.

From there he rose steadily in his career, as a management assistant to the City Manager, budget analyst and Chief of Staff to the City Council and later as Assistant City Manager. In 2004, he nabbed the job as City Manager of Harlingen, Texas, where he managed 25 departments, increased revenues by developing new income streams.

“To really test ourselves, we have to be the best that we can be,” says González of those days, which is still his current philosophy.

A year later González became Assistant City Manager for Dallas and in May 2006 he was hired as the City Manager of Irving, a city of 216,000 residents and more than 2,100 employees. The city is in the middle of the Dallas-Forth Worth sector.

During González’s time there, Irving attained the lowest crime rate in its history and earned the aforementioned presidential award.

Paso del Norte The city that González is currently managing is the 19th most populous in the country, sitting across Juárez, the town on the other side of the border. Known for the

longest time as “Paso del Norte,” with El Paso, Juárez and Las Cruces joined by a geographical and metropolitan area, the sector is known for being the largest bilingual and bicultural area with 2.7 million people.

A resilient and energetic town, El Paso nevertheless lacks many cultural and recreational centers, González says. In addition, government services can be streamlined and honed to work more efficiently.

It was that and more that motivated him to look for the job, he says.

“I felt that I was young enough, energetic enough, to go to another organization.

It’s three times the size of Irving, and really demonstrate that you can take another organization to a level of high performance, and show where some of these methodologies can work in any organization. We are already doing some of that here.”

Upon González’s selection, councilwoman Emma Costa praised him in front of the City Council: “he understands border communities.”

In the little time that he has off, González dedicates it to his wife, Sandy and his sons, Sagen and Sager.

González wants El Paso to be a safer, healthier and vibrant city. He also wants it to be more efficient in terms of trade and business.

For this, he says, the city has to empower everyone. But what is empowerment for him?

“Empowerment is being able to listen to your employees and be able to respond by enabling them with the tools to get their work done,” he says.

“Empowerment is being able to listen to your employees and be able to respond by enabling them with the tools to get their work done.”

- Tommy González

KEEPING UP WITH PABLO

THE LOCAL DIMENSION

of politics

How many Latinos in politics can you name?

By

Pablo Schneider

Harris County, for Texas, and for America Are you familiar with Castro, Becerra, Cruz, Diaz Balart, Gutiérrez, Martínez, Menéndez, shines through. Making life better for Ross-Lehtinen, Rubio, Sánchez, and Sandoval? All are high profile Latinos in national and Houstonians is near and dear to his heart statewide political leadership roles. and central to his life’s work.

Although there are a number of well-known Latinos in politics at the national and García’s priorities include youth state levels, the vast majority of Hispanic Elected Officials (HEO’s) are at the local success, economic growth, workforce and regional levels. According to NALEO there are a total of 6,084 HEO’s in the development and making Houston U.S. Among the HEO’s there are 334 Federal and State Officials and 5,750 local and a more livable city by improving its judicial/legal officials. infrastructure and transportation. As In terms of geographic distribution, despite being known for the political power of its a seasoned local and regional leader, HEO’s, California ranks second in number with 1,406 (23.1% of the U.S. total) and with confronting Houston’s fiscal challenges is Texas ranking first at 2,590 (42.5% of the U.S. total). also among his high main concerns.

Many articles on Latinos in politics are focused on national leaders and somewhat Through his career in public service, on statewide frontrunners but very little on local groundbreakers. Regional leaders can García has made a positive difference in have a surprisingly big impact on the daily lives of people in a city, county or metro the lives of Houstonians and in the days region. One such local leader is Adrián García of Houston. of the residents of Harris County. García With over 2.2 million residents, Houston is the fourth largest city in America. The City is well positioned to become the next of Houston would rank as the 36th largest state, with a population larger than those of Mayor of Houston, possessing the highest states such as New Mexico, Nebraska, and West Virginia. The Houston/Harris County name recognition among the mayoral metro area is the fifth largest metro area in the U.S. and is home to over 6.6 million candidates and having secured significant people. It ranks third in Hispanic population nationally. bi-partisan support among Democrats García is living the American Dream. A first generation, U.S.-born, Mexican-American, and Republicans. Whether or not he’s García is a lifelong public servant. elected Mayor of Houston, García is Growing up in the Near Northside neighborhood in a large family, his father set their already a great role model of a successful family values of success, including respect, hard work, and giving back to both the Latino leader in politics. community and to our Country. Garcia, with a desire to do his part, to give back, and to serve his community, decided to go into law enforcement and joined the Houston Police Department.

“Many articles on Latinos in politics are After an impressive 23-year career with the HPD, Garcia was elected to the Houston City Council. focused on national leaders and somewhat on In 2008, after six years as a Houston City Councilman, he was elected Harris County Sheriff, garnering the highest number of statewide frontrunners but very little on local votes in the history of Harris County. Incidentally, he was the second highest vote getter in Harris County in the 2012 election groundbreakers. Regional leaders can have and won more votes than President Obama in both 2008 and 2012. a surprisingly big impact on the daily lives of As Harris County Sheriff, García ran an organization with nearly 5,000 employees and a budget of almost $500 million dollars. people in a city, county or metro region.”

During his tenure he enacted reforms of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and jail that resulted in over $100 million in savings. Talking with García, his passion for his community, for Houston, for 18 • June 2015

TRAILBLAZER

JESÚS “CHUY” GARCÍA LOST A MAYORAL BID IN CHICAGO, BUT WON MANY BELIEVERS NATIONWIDE.

Christina Zambón Photos Courtesy photos

Story by 20 • June 2015

He almost made it.

In February, during the Chicago mayoral election, Jesús “Chuy” García won 34% of the vote, while incumbent Rahm Emanuel failed to win 50%, forcing a runoff election between the two.

In April, Chicagoans headed in record numbers to polling places to submit their ballots. Although Emanuel was re-elected in the end, the race ignited a conversation on several other issues. This was the first mayoral runoff in Chicago history, in a city where some claim to be frustrated with Emanuel’s corporate agenda.

On election day, there was record turnout at the polls with 19 runoffs in the city council— something that hadn’t happened since the 1940s.

“The response from people throughout all parts of the city has been astounding,” Chuy remarked, telling how he received congratulatory call after congratulatory call. Outspent six to one, Latinos still stood proud, knowing the campaign had been conducted with grace and ethics.

Capturing over 70% of the Latino vote, a majority of the black vote, and 38% of the white and Asian vote, the race was a remarkable feat against a candidate with far more spending power.

The man from Durango

A few defining moments changed the course of his career. In his first year of college, he stumbled upon an opportunity to make a difference in his community.

“There used to be the Atlantic Theatre on 26th & Pulaski. I took my girlfriend to watch a movie, and there were rats running around the theatre. People were shrieking.”

The carpet was sticky, bathrooms were in disarray, the entire theatre suffered from neglect. He left outraged and angry that these conditions were being tolerated.

“It was embarrassing that we were putting up with it when other people wouldn’t,” he says.

García got together with some friends and they started talking. What could they do about it?

Something had to be done, Something had to be done. So they put up a picket line in front of the theatre and passed out fliers to people coming in and passing by. Within an hour, the manager came out.

They closed the theatre for several days, remolding the entire thing. This was Chuy’s first organizing experience, and a positive one. The easy win had an impact and motivated him to keep going.

“We’ve accomplished much, but much remains to be done. But our movement is going to stay together and continue what we started.”

The long and winding road In 1983, another defining moment occurred in Chuy’s life. Labor organizer Rudy Lozano

Jesús “Chuy” García was born on April 12, 1956 in Durango, Mexico. At age 9, he moved with his family to the Pilsen/Little Village neighborhood of Chicago on a permanent residency status, a neighborhood he lives in to this day.

Growing up in Pilsen, he listened to soul music and in between songs, they ran sermons by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the radio. These sermons were inspirational in his life; he sought to take King’s teachings as a way to live.

In 1968, King was assassinated. Garcia was 12 years-old. He claims this was a defining moment in his life. His other hero was César Chávez, who inspired him with the farm workers’ and Chicano movements. Growing up during such a volatile time in the 60s, García came to see the power of politics early on to make a real difference. latinoleaders.com

“We’re making our mark in plenty of places, in cities and locations throughout the country, but we still cannot capture or have not been elected to as many seats as we need to.

We need to be sitting in policymaking rooms, in boardrooms throughout America.”

22 • June 2015

challenged longtime alderman Frank Stemberk of the 22nd Ward; Chuy was his campaign manager and close friend.

Lozano came 17 votes short of forcing a runoff election. It was only their second time involved in a political campaign.

Even though he lost, Harold Washington won the mayoral election, and Lozano, as a close friend of Harold Washington’s, was a rising start.

But all of that ended abruptly when Rudy was assassinated in his home on June 8th, 1983. Chuy was shocked and devastated by the assassination.

They had just formed a political organization and as vice president, it fell upon him to lead the organization. A year later, he ran against Stemberk, the incumbent Rudy had lost to— and won.

Two years later, in 1986, after a fight through the federal courts, they were able to redraw the ward boundaries that had unfairly dispersed black and Hispanic voters, and Chuy won the election to Chicago City Council, an election that changed the balance of power in the Chicago City Council.

With the 2015 mayoral elections behind him, what’s next?

“We’ve accomplished much, but much remains to be done. But our movement is going to stay together and continue what

we started,” García says.

García has three and a half years left in his term on the Cook County Board of Commissioners. He will remain involved in issues that he raised during his campaign, themes he takes to heart like neighborhood quality of life; the violence that neighborhoods in Chicago suffer; schools, and ensuring they are improved. It’s also vitally important to him to keep the community that came out of this campaign involved and nurtured, he says.

Is there another run in the future? García says it’s too soon to say. Right now, he wants to reflect and think about the future.

But continuing to empower the Latino community is something he values.

Pausing to reflect, he says, “We’re making our mark in plenty of places, in cities and locations throughout the country, but we still cannot capture or have not been elected to as many seats as we need to. We need to be sitting in policy-making rooms, in boardrooms throughout America. It’s important for young people to decide to step up and make a difference. Whether it’s in business, philanthropy, or a profession they’re pursuing, they have a responsibility to assume positions that impact policy, especially public policy. These things are essential for the full advancement of our community.”

Q&A

ADRIAN CARRASQUILLO

EDITOR OF LATINO AND POLITICAL COVERAGE AT BUZZFEED NEWS

An eye

Story by

Eric Moreno

Courtesy photo

for Latino politics Adrián Carrasquillo, an editor at BuzzFeed, is ready to cover what could be the most Hispanic political season ever.

A

DRIAN CARRASQUILLO has known for years what he wanted to do with his life. As a high school student in Queens, New York, Carrasquillo was caught up in the fervor of the historic 2000 election, and, after graduating from Stony Brook University, he decided to make politics, by way of journalism, his career. After cutting his metaphorical teeth at NBC Latino, Carrasquillo was given the task of integrating Latino coverage and Hispanic issues across BuzzFeed’s many platforms. As the Editor of Latino and Political coverage for BuzzFeed News, he has covered a wide array of subjects, including the debate on immigration, the problem the GOP has in figuring out Univision, Hillary Clinton’s Latino staff, and oddly enough, the political ideology of hip-hop star Pitbull.

EM: Before we get started talking about your career, I wanted to ask you about your beat. For BuzzFeed News, you cover primarily Latinos and politics. At this point in time, how important do you feel the crossover is between the Latino community and the political world going forward?

AC: I always say that people care about the Latino every 10 years for the census and every four years for the election. It’s unfortunate and that’s not how it should be. After the census of 2010, Fox started a Latinos site and then NBC News did and I worked there, I managed social media there and I was a reporter there.

24 • June 2015

“I ALWAYS SAY THAT PEOPLE CARE ABOUT THE LATINO EVERY 10 YEARS FOR THE CENSUS AND EVERY FOUR YEARS FOR THE ELECTION. IT’S UNFORTUNATE. THAT’S NOT HOW IT SHOULD BE.” One time, someone told me that people always try to make this broad Latino identity, but that’s just not how it is, because, as you know, across the country the Hispanic community is so different and so diverse. One thing that you have seen in the last six to 10 years is that online and social media is bringing Latinos together.

EM: You joined BuzzFeed in 2013. What attracted you to working for a platform like BuzzFeed?

AC: My specific beat that I brought to the news team was doing Latino stories. BuzzFeed didn’t want to start a “BuzzFeed Latino.” What they wanted to do was integrate my beat into the coverage across the site. I became editor of Latino coverage for BuzzFeed and I’m so proud of what we have done. I knew the power of BuzzFeed’s platform and

“I THINK THIS IS GOING TO BE THE MOST LATINO ELECTION EVER. BETWEEN THE STUFF GOING ON RIGHT NOW, WITH HILLARY [CLINTON] COMING OUT AND REALLY TAPPING HARD FOR THE LEFT ON IMMIGRATION AND THEN YOU HAVE JEB [BUSH] WHO SEEMS TO BE ALMOST LOOKING MORE TOWARDS THE GENERAL ELECTION THAN THE PRIMARY WITH SOME OF HIS STANCES. SO, I THINK EARLIER THAN EVER IN THE PROCESS THERE’S THIS FOCUS ON LATINOS.”

I knew that there would be the opportunity here to get a lot of views and a lot of attention.

What I started doing with my coverage was really elevating the voices of DREAMers and activists. Before, they were sort of marginalized or not paid as much attention to, but became an important force leading up to these executive actions (of the president). I did this year-end report after the election about how Obama was able to shield basically millions of people away from deportation. At the end of the year I was asked by our editor if I wanted to move over to politics and do this full time.

EM: I think it’s fairly obvious with some of the potential candidates that there are some ties to the Latino community. But, what makes you believe the election really will be so important for Hispanics?

AC: Coming into this year, I knew that the election in 2016 is the singular story and I see it as an opportunity.

I know it is so far out, but I can already feel the importance. I think this is going to be the most Latino election ever. Between the stuff going on right now, with Hillary (Clinton) coming out and really tapping hard for the left on immigration and then you have Jeb (Bush) who seems to be almost looking more towards the general election than the primary with some of his stances.

So, I think earlier than ever in the process there’s this focus on Latinos.

I don’t think we’ve seen this emphasis to this degree before. Last year, for me it was about immigration, but when I talk to both sides, it’s not only immigration, it’s education, the economy, etc. So, what I’ve been doing is going around and looking at how both sides are impacting Latinos. I think that what you’re seeing is that we’ve gotten to a point where you can’t simplify it. It was never that you could simplify it, but you’re starting to see more and more sophistication from the candidates now.

EM: I think it is fair to say that next year’s presidential election is going to be huge for you. Are you able to think what you are going to do career-wise beyond that?

AC: I think that this is what I always wanted. When I was watching the 2008, you know, I was a senior in journalism school, I was covering the election and I thought to myself, “I want to do this in the future.” I am by no means complaining about what I am doing now, but this is challenging. I want to do right by the election right now. All I’m worried about is doing as great of a job as I can. I feel really lucky to be able to do this and to elevate these stories. After the election, we will figure it out. latinoleaders.com

Story by Laura Reagan-Porras Courtesy photos

COMFORT the Afflicted and Afflict the Comfortable

A

Rubén Navarrette, the popular columnist, on politics, community and why the biggest enemy of Latinos is not a rival party, but envidia.

conversation with the leading Latino, Washington Post’s nationally syndicated columnist Ruben Navarrette, lives up to his provocative writing. His outspoken, non-apologetic writing includes insightful political commentary and examines a wide range of issues from the Latino leadership vacuum of our times, to the cultural contradictions of envidia,(Spanish for envy) which is the subject of one of his most popular columns. His operating philosophy is the same now as it was when he started writing: comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable.

Rubén Navarrette J.R. is the son of a police officer and the grandson of a migrant farm worker. His mentors include Henry Cisneros, former mayor of San Antonio and Ricardo Rodriguez, who encouraged him to write his book, A Darker Shade of Crimson: Odyssey of a Harvard Chicano. When asked about his own leadership, he is quick to correct and emphatically state that his job as a journalist is not to persuade but to facilitate critical thinking on subjects, and in so doing prompt others to take action as they see fit.

RUBÉN NAVARRETE, THE FAMOUS COLUMNIST, SAYS THAT INTERNAL STRIFE AMONG LATINOS IS DETRIMENTAL.

26 • June 2015

“We don’t celebrate differences. There is a lack of pluralism despite the fact that we have Latinos in prominent political positions, such as Ted Cruz and Julian Castro camps. Most of the reasons we don’t realize our political potential given our demographic growth are internal. They are things we do to ourselves.”

The following excerpts in italics are taken from a conversation with Mr. Navarrette.

I resist being called a leader. It gets complicated when we try to draft journalists as leaders. But we do have a Latino leadership vacuum.

We don’t have Latino leaders!

When I worked for the Arizona Republic over a decade ago, we addressed the question of why there is a Latino leadership vacuum. We collected 60 answers from various community leaders. Their answers could be categorized into three responses: 1) There is a general lack of cooperation.

2) There is a general lack of supporting one another. 3) We don’t celebrate differences. There is a lack of pluralism despite the fact that we have Latinos in prominent political positions, such as the Ted Cruz and Julian Castro camps.

These reasons still ring true today. Most of the reasons we don’t realize our political potential despite our demographic growth are internal. They are things we do to ourselves.

We are a cheap date politically speaking!

On Cinco de Mayo, an alleged Latino holiday, while President Obama conducted a photo op, eating obligatory tacos, his administration’s Department of Justice attorneys denied the right to counsel to Latino mothers and children held in immigration cases in Texas. There was no Latino community outcry. It didn’t get major media play. The media covered the Cinco de Mayo tacos. We don’t hold the administration to task. We don’t leverage our power.

By no means, does Navarrette see the plight of the Latino community with gloom and doom. When asked about the sociological argument that the dominant culture may

have something to do with suppressing Latino political power or the community organization of Latinos, Navarrette acknowledges the reality, but quickly counters with an example of Latino community organization against a common foe in a common crisis.

Crisis Prompts Organization

Generally older generation Cubans vote Republican while young Cubans are becoming more democratic. When U.S. Representative from Colorado, Tom Tancredo went to Miami and described it as a third - world country with only Spanish speakers, he was politically driven out. His comments served to galvanize Latino pride throughout the various Spanish speaking enclaves. Latinos around the nation echoed the outcry about cultural heritage and being American Spanish-speakers.

This was a case where Latinos organized against a shared attack on the Spanish language regardless of political orientation or age or even community identification. It can happen.

2016 Latino Political Landscape

We have emerging leadership. Cruz and Rubio on the Republican side and the Castro twins on the Democratic side are all on the short list for their respective parties for Vice President in 2016. I am more excited about the grassroots leadership of Presenta, Encurentare and the National Day Labor Organizing Network. Erica Arrioles and Gaby Pacheco of the Bridge Project are not afraid to confront the left or the right. They are not brokered. They are independent and answer to their own stakeholders.

The Next Generation

Millenial Latinos are less tied to political parties. They are not married to either. When they support a candidate or party, they only allow one mistake. They supported Obama and then walked away when they felt that being engaged didn’t pay off.

They are often called the information generation. They are technology savvy. They have bridged the digital divide.

They are predominantly English - speaking but they do not have a hostile perspective on Spanish. The old conflicts of previous generations don’t apply to them. They will not choose between language, country and culture. The world is a smaller place because of their use of technology. According to Buzzfeed, Latinos are the #1 consumers of media. I am hopeful about the future.

RUBEN NAVARRETTE JR. IS A MEMBER OF THE USA TODAY BOARD OF CONTRIBUTORS, WEEKLY COMMENTATOR FOR CNN.COM, REGULAR COMMENTATOR ON NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO’S “TELL ME MORE WITH MICHEL MARTIN” AND IS A POPULAR SPEAKER ON THE LECTURE CIRCUIT. HE CAN BE REACHED FOR COMMENT OR QUESTIONS AT RUBEN@RUBENNAVARRETTE.COM. OR HE CAN BE BOOKED FOR SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS THROUGH BDAVIS@APBSPEAKERS.COM. LAURA REAGAN-PORRAS IS A SOCIAL ISSUES FREELANCE WRITER, PARENTING JOURNALIST AND SOCIOLOGIST. SHE CAN BE REACHED AT LREAGANPORRAS@GMAIL.COM AND HTTP//LAURAREAGAN-PORRAS.WRITERSRESIDENCE.COM.

PROUST

Jorge Rivero For decades, he was Mexico’s greatest film superstar.

Hailed as one of the best-looking leading men of all times, Jorge Rivero starred in over 150 films when Mexico had a real movie industry (producing at one point almost 200 movies per year) from the 1960s to 1990s.

In Hollywood, he starred next to the likes of John Wayne and Charlton Heston; in Europe he was directed by legendary auteurs like Lucio Fulci.

And long before the Antonio Banderas’ or the Gabriel García Bernal’s defined Latino actors, Rivero, with his astonishing physique, glinting tan and standing 6 feet, often had for leading ladies former Miss Europe’s like Daniela Giordano and Pia Giancaro or Spanish sex symbols like Ana Obregón or Sandra Mozarowsky. This was during the 1970s, at a time when Mexicans were still portrayed (and funny how they still are) as demeaning, short, greasy, paunchy frito banditos or gang members.

At 75, Rivero still sports some sharp abs and keeps fit by working out at the gym daily. Latino Leaders caught up with Rivero, 75, at his home in the Hollywood Hills, where he lives comfortably with his wife, Betty.

Your idea of happiness?

My priority in life and idea of happiness is and always will be my family. To be in harmony with your family is happiness. It is a network of care and support.

They take care of you and it’s the most important thing.

Your favorite virtue?

Honesty, plain and simple.

Your favorite qualities in a Latino?

They are warm and friendly, they care for others.

They are family oriented and more polite.

Your favorite qualities in a Latina?

They make an argument and question everything.

What you appreciate the most in your friends Loyalty and honesty.

28 • June 2015

Your main flaw?

Right now, I don’t like to work anymore.

Your favorite hobby?

Sports of any kind.

Your idea of unhappiness?

Not to be healthy.

If not yourself, who would you be?

An astronaut.

Where would you like to live?

Where I live now, Hollywood Hills, CA. Your favorite color and flower?

I generally like flowers. So the color doesn’t matter, because there are many flowers with different colors.

Your favorite bird?

Parrots

Your favorite Latino authors, poets?

I don’t have any favorites, but I always wanted to write my own screenplay.

Who is your favorite actor or artist?

I admired Ricardo Montalban, because he was the big actor of my past generation before me. He was a Mexican actor who inspired me to get into acting and Hollywood.

Your favorite fictional Latino heroes, be it in books, movies?

My favorite would be Pedro Armendáriz, born Pedro Gregorio Armendáriz Hastings (May 9, 1912 – June 18, 1963), was a Mexican film actor who made films in Mexico and the United States.

I HAVE GOOD STATE OF MIND, ALWAYS POSITIVE.

Your favorite Latina heroines in fiction, movies, books. etc I don’t have any favorites.

Your favorite Latino painters and composers.

I like Ocampo as a painter.

Your Latino heroes in real life?

Myself.

Your favorite Latina heroines in real life?

One of Hollywood’s most dazzling leading actresses, Salma Hayek is my favorite.

What Latino characters in history do you most dislike?

Generally, the presidents in Latin America.

Your Latino heroes in World history?

Hernán Cortés. He was a Spanish conquistador and explorer who defeated the Aztec empire and claimed Mexico for Spain. He first set sail to the New World at the age of 19. Cortés later joined an expedition to Cuba. In 1518, he set off to explore Mexico. There he strategically aligned some native peoples against others to overthrow them. King Charles I appointed him governor of New Spain in 1522. Cortés died in Spain in 1547.

Your favorite Latino food and drink?

Fruit juice and Mexican food that is very healthy.

Your favorite Latino names?

Jorge, Roberto.

What you hate the most…

When someone is cold or rude. When people are not friendly.

World history characters you hate the most…

The Latino presidents.

The natural talent I’d like to be gifted with…

I would like to be painter; I became an actor so I never got a chance to develop my painting skills.

Jorge Rivero, striking his classic pose, sometime during the 1970s.

How I wish to die?

All of a sudden without suffering from an illness.

What is your present state of mind?

I have good state of mind, always positive.

For what weakness have you the most toleration?

I don’t confront people, let it go. Don’t fight and walk away. It always worked for me.

My father used to say, “In life you have to be a good bullfighter. If you are bullfighter use common sense, step aside and let the bull go by you, not through you. You don’t stand in front of the bull or he will shut you down.”’ Confrontations don’t take you anywhere.

Your favorite motto?

“Be a good bullfighter in your life.”

latinoleaders.com

LEADERS

L AT INO LE A DE R S

MONITOR

Wind beneath our wings Stories by the Staff of Latino Leaders Photos by Eduardo Warnholtz / Líderes Mexicanos

Mexican sculptor, Jorge Marín, brings his art to the U.S.

J

ORGE MARÍN only wants one thing: to teach us to fly.

For that, Marín, one of Mexico’s most well known sculptors, brought his art to the U.S. One of his most famous creations, his bronzed “Wings,” were unveiled this month in Fort Worth, Texas.

The wings, in addition to touring Dallas, have also toured cities like Berlin and Tel Aviv.

Marín’s work has been all over the world, including Denmark and Indonesia, Dallas is only the third U.S. city to have the sculptures after Brownsville and Houston. The Mexican Consulate, which works with all of North Texas, moved the works to Fort Worth after the exhibit ended in Dallas on May 31.

On Sunday, June 7th, Marin’s Wings were unveiled at Sundance Square Plaza, in downtown Forth Worth, Texas. A crowd of journalists, art patrons, activists, religious figures, plaza visitors and tourists showed up for the event, which was presented by the Mexican Consulate of Dallas and the City of Fort Worth.

After the “Wings of the City” were unveiled, people walked up to the solitary pair of wings to have people take pictures of them, with the wings behind them.

Marín was at hand to show his wings. The slim, bearded artist with intense eyes and a rapid smile greeted folks, happy to see people’s joyous reaction to his work.

“We all have a special relation with art and with this work,” Marín says. “It leaves no one without a particular experience. It’s about 30 • June 2015

each one living their own experience of having wings. There may be 10,000 interpretations of this.”

Wings of the City is an exhibition of nine bronze sculptures by Marín. They will be on display from June through August, 2015 in various locations around Downtown Fort Worth.

For over 25 years, Marín has presented his winged sculptures in more than 200 exhibits worldwide. The allegorical and fantastic creatures portray perfection of the human body, and spark dialogue around themes of desire, will and determination with the body and mind.

For Marín, working on his beautiful creations is more of a daily grind. It involves, discipline, hard work and more hard work, he says.

Along the way he has found out many things about himself and others around, he says. It has been a road of self-discovery.

“Let us discover ourselves,” he says “Each one on a day to day, because there is still a lot to discover.”

“LET US DISCOVER OURSELVES. EACH ONE ON A DAY TO DAY, BECAUSE THERE IS STILL A LOT TO DISCOVER.”

HELPING

BUSINESS

OWNERS ACHIEVE FINANCIAL SECURITY

H

adida enjoyed connecting with customers who traveled from throughout the region to shop at the store. He had developed a passion for sales while working at another furniture store, and then the owner offered to make him a partner at the new Sunny Isles Beach venture.

“Running my own business was a dream come true,” said Hadida, who believed the growing enterprise would provide him and his bride-to-be a solid livelihood for years.

Everything was going as planned—until the day Hadida arrived to find a massive road construction project was blocking the entrance of his storefront. Massive concrete barriers made it impossible for customers to find their way to the store.

Within weeks, Hadida’s dream had become a nightmare. He was forced to close the business and come to the harsh realization that he lacked financial stability at a major crossroads in his life. He was back to square one without enough svings for emergencies.

“I really had no clue as to what I was doing,” said the Venezuelan native, who moved to Miami 15 years ago to attend Florida International University. “It was a really stressful time. I could have been saving money all those years I was single and working,” he said. “I never thought about the future consequences.”

Yet as one opportunity came to a close, another emerged at a career fair where Hadida learned about becoming a financial representative for Northwestern Mutual.

Today Hadida is applying the lessons he learned as an entrepreneur to help other business owners avoid similar pitfalls by planning ahead for their financial security.

“Northwestern Mutual appealed to my entrepreneurial spirit because I could still be my own boss,” said Hadida. He could maintain his autonomy and tap Northwestern Mutual resources and expertise when needed.

“It’s the best of both worlds,” he said. “I feel like I have unlimited potential.”

Hadida’s top priority from the start has been reaching out to business owners.

32 • June 2015

Northwestern Mutual Photos by Raúl Ospina Story by

Life was good for Jaime Hadida, a successful entrepreneur who relished the challenge of developing his furniture business in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida.

“I wish someone had advised me when I was starting my business. No one sat down with me to explain how things could look in the future if I didn’t plan ahead,” he said.

“Business owners can really benefit from financial planning,” he added. “Company employees typically have benefits that give them a sense of security. But if you’re a business owner, you’re on your own.”

Hadida views himself as an educator, assisting clients with questions about their business and personal financial goals.

“We talk about their needs and wants,” he said. “Educated clients make the best decisions. I help people understand their cur-

rent situation and see how they can do better in the future by aligning their intentions with their goals,” he continued. “Having the right measures in place to protect the people and things they care about most can make all the difference in the world.”

Many of Hadida’s Latino clients had never thought about planning for their financial future. “Financial planning is a new concept to many Latinos,” said Hadida. “It’s not something that’s done in Latin America.”

These days, Hadida finds immense satisfaction seeing others take the kind of action that he wished he had taken when he was a young business owner. As a fellow entrepreneur, he understands their aspirations, dedication and optimism about the future.

“They feel more confident about their financial security because they’ve taken action today to provide for tomorrow,” he said. “The sky is the limit.”

Article prepared by Northwestern Mutual with the cooperation of Jaime Hadida, a Financial Representative with Northwestern Mutual, the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI and its subsidiaries.

15

RISING HISPANIC POLITICIANS

T

he nation’s growing Hispanic population has been a hot topic since the 2010 U.S. Census, which showed that between 2000 and 2010 Hispanics accounted for more than half of the country’s population increase. As of July 1, 2013, Hispanics made up the nation’s largest ethnic minority, constituting 17 percent of the total population. Numerous studies continue to be conducted on what this growth means to the economy, workforce and government.

Democrats and Republicans are hyper-aware of this population growth and the power that potential vote will wield in coming elections, already having seen its effect. In 2012, President Barack Obama received 71 percent of the Hispanic vote to Mitt Romney’s 27 percent. Candidates who can appeal to and identify with the fastest growing demographic in the country, especially if they are Hispanic, are also benefitting from that shift.

Also shifting are the positions Hispanics are taking on standard platform issues. No longer does being Hispanic necessarily mean being Democrat. There is a rising tide of Hispanic Republicans who appeal to a broader base of conservatives. Common to many Hispanic politicians, though - whatever their party affiliation–is the background of a working-class family that struggled to fulfill the American Dream to give their children (now in roles of political influence) a better life. It is that dream that serves as their catalyst for success and the importance of keeping it alive for future generations.

The 15 politicians featured here have been creating waves, both for their recent efforts in office and for their potential to take Hispanics to the next level of political power.

Story by

Laura Rivas

Courtesy photos latinoleaders.com

Interviewed by Latino Leaders

GEORGE P. BUSH

Commissioner, Texas General Land Office (R-Texas)

15

RISING HISPANIC POLITICIANS

Grandson of President George H.W. Bush and son of former Florida Governor—and presidential hopeful—Jeb Bush, George P. is following in his family’s political footsteps as the newly elected Texas Land Commissioner with longstanding buzz surrounding his future aspirations. In his new office, Bush will oversee an agency that manages the state’s publicly owned lands, mineral rights, and oil and gas royalties. The former attorney and schoolteacher is among the most recognizable of the new generation of Hispanic Republicans whose youth and revitalization of the party may upend the tradition that generally guarantees the Hispanic vote to Democrats.

JOAQUÍN CASTRO

JULIAN CASTRO

After 10 years in the Texas House of Representatives, Castro moved up to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2013. This year he assumed a coveted role as chief deputy whip, which, along with his membership in the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, increases his growing leadership within the party. Castro is a vocal supporter of immigration rights and same-sex marriage, hot - button issues in the media. He and his identical twin brother, HUD Secretary Julian Castro, have gained much media attention in the last few years for the party’s “grooming” of them for possible future White House bids’ and both are rumored to be under consideration as Hillary Clinton’s running mate in 2016.

Barely a year into his Cabinet position, Castro leads the short list of potential vice presidential running mates for Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton. Political observers have had an eye on him since his five-year tenure as mayor of San Antonio, and more so after his acclaimed keynote speech at the 2012 Democratic National Convention. He is consistently highly ranked among leading Hispanic politicians and is referred to often as the next Obama. Speculation aside, in his role as HUD secretary, Castro is working to increase the agency’s $45 billion budget to provide better homeless and public housing assistance. He and twin brother, Rep. Joaquín Castro, were raised by a political activist single mother, to whom they give credit for their interest in public service.

U.S. Representative (D-Texas)

36 • June 2015

U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (D-Texas)

TED CRUZ

JORGE ELORZA

This year Cruz was the first Republican to announce his presidential candidacy, a move that surprised no one watching his bold media presence over the last two years. The junior senator from Texas has become one of the most outspoken and visible members of Congress, making headlines for his conservative views on gun control and immigration, most notably for his role in the 2013 government shutdown. His is considered the most conservative GOP candidate running. One of only three Latinos in the Senate, Cruz also served as the first Hispanic (and youngest) Solicitor General of Texas, the state’s chief lawyer before the U.S. Supreme Court. He has been named by American Lawyer Magazine as one of the 50 Best Litigators under 45 in America and by Texas Lawyer as one of the 25 Greatest Texas Lawyers of the Past Quarter Century.

Elorza, who succeeded outgoing mayor Angel Taveras, is one of a rising tide of Hispanics winning office in Rhode Island. It is a huge win for his first try at elective office. Within his first 100 days, Elorza appointed an “innovation officer” to streamline operations and coordinate city activities and a representative to the city ethics commission, the first in nine years. Rhode Island Monthly noted, “The rise of Latino political power in Rhode Island is owed, in part, to changing demographics and impeccable candidates, whose appeal lay in Ivy League educations, professional credentials and an up-from-thebootstraps backstory. But it is also the result of planning.”

JESÚS “CHUY” GARCIA

TOMMY GONZALEZ

Though losing the Chicago’s mayoral race earlier this year to incumbent Rahm Emanuel in an unprecedented runoff election for that office, Garcia has been a political force for the last 30 years as Chicago alderman, Illinois state senator and, since 2011, Cook County Commissioner. Most recently, Garcia, who was the first Mexican-American member of the Illinois State Senate, has been working actively to translate the grassroots momentum generated during the mayoral campaign toward issues affecting underserved communities. Has been credited for lighting a fire under Chicagoans to push for greater oversight of perceived mismanagement and cronyism.

With more than 15 years of experience in assistant city manager and city manager roles across Texas, Gonzalez has turned his extensive knowledge of municipal oversight to El Paso. Known as a straight shooter who gets results, he has saved the city approximately $3.5 million in his first year on the job, owed in large part to his expertise in generating performance excellence through use of the Lean Six Sigma methodology to identify systems and process improvements. Managing one of the country’s major border cities will add favorably to Gonzalez’s résumé as he considers future political opportunities.

U.S. Senator (R-Texas)

Cook County Board of Commissioners (D-Illinois)

Mayor of Providence

City Manager, City of El Paso

latinoleaders.com

JAIME HERRERA BEUTLER

RAÚL LABRADOR

Recently appointed to serve as vice chairwoman of the Financial Services and Government Oversight Appropriations Subcommittee, Herrera Beutler, 36, is one of the youngest and most visible women serving in Congress. The U.S. House Appropriations Committee earlier this year approved her legislative directive instructing Veterans Affairs to address why the agency is experiencing such a high rate of medical providers who leave the system. She is the first Hispanic in history to represent Washington state in the U.S. House of Representatives.

TIME Magazine placed her on its 40 Under 40 list of top national leaders. National Journal had her among the Top 25 Most Influential Washington Women under 35, and MSNBC included her on the Top 10 Latino Politicians to Watch. She credits her Republican parents and five siblings for her civic-minded nature.

Herrera Beutler recalls her mother taking her to the state Capitol, attending political events and writing letters to the editor.

Labrador assumed Congressional office in 2011 after four years in the Idaho House of Representatives, and has been one of the most vocal advocates of immigration reform. Considered by many as a rising star of the GOP, he is anti-tax, anti-abortion and anti-amnesty for undocumented immigrants. Labrador wants tighter border security, including the use of National Guard troops. He also prefers that undocumented immigrants be forced to return to their countries and apply for entry to the US as guest workers or through other lawful means. He was one of nine Tea Party conservatives to found the House Freedom Caucus, working to advance an agenda of a limited, constitutional government and give voice to those who feel Washington does not represent them. In May, Labrador reintroduced the Federal Land Bill that will allow state and local management of federally owned forests and improve forest health, boost local economies and save taxpayers money.

MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM

SUSANA MARTÍNEZ

Hailing from one of New Mexico’s most prestigious political families - her grandfather was Chief Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court and her uncle served as Secretary of Interior under President George H.W. Bush—Lujan Grisham is noted for her activism on issues related to health care reform and the elderly care.

She became passionate about health after she saw her parents accumulate a large amount of medical bills during her sister’s long-term illness, debt that took decades for them to clear. Long after her sister’s death, Lujan Grisham’s parents were still paying off the debt. She served as director of New Mexico’s Agency on Aging and as secretary of the state’s Department of Health. In an interview with Esquire last year, she was candid about the problem of partisanship in Congress but hopeful about the improvements she has noted since taking office in 2013.

The first female governor of New Mexico and the first female Hispanic governor in the U.S., Martinez won a second term by a landslide in last year’s election.

Her handling of such issues as the state’s deficit, jobs growth and education has the media speculating about her viability as a vice presidential nominee in 2016.

In 2012, Martinez sold the state’s luxury jet, which she called “the ultimate symbol of waste and excess.” It sold for $2.51 million. Martinez was named by TIME Magazine in 2013 as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the world—one of only two governors who made the list—and by Hispanic Business Magazine in 2011 as Woman of the Year.

U.S. Representative (R-Washington)

U.S. Representative (D-New Mexico)

38 • June 2015

U.S. Representative (R-Idaho)

Governor (R-New Mexico)

THOMAS PÉREZ

MARCO RUBIO

Pérez, whose grandfather was ambassador to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic, previously served as an assistant attorney general for the Department of Justice and as Secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. He withstood fierce Republican resistance in 2013 to replace Hilda Solis as Secretary of Labor in 2013. Pérez’s priorities for the department include fair pay, connecting Americans with ready-to -fill jobs, gender equality in the workplace, and equal employment opportunities for veterans and those with disabilities.

After announcing his bid for the White House in April, Rubio, a former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives who once interned for U.S. Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Florida), has become one of the leading candidates for the GOP nomination. Though relying on Tea Party support for election to the Senate, his shift to a more moderate position appears to be generating a broader appeal. Rubio was chosen to deliver the Republican response to President Obama’s 2013 State of the Union Address. It marked the first time the response was delivered in English and Spanish. Win or lose, Rubio has established himself at the forefront of the next generation of Hispanic political leaders.

SONIA SOTOMAYOR

LETICIA VAN DE PUTTE

The Court’s first Hispanic justice and its third female justice, Sotomayor is also among its most visible through speeches, television appearances that included Sesame Street and even a recent dinner with George and Amal Clooney. She is also vocal on the Court’s rulings, making headlines in last year’s Burwell vs. Hobby Lobby case, allowing closely held for-profit corporations to be exempt from a law its owners religiously object to if there is a less restrictive means of furthering the law’s interest. Sotomayor wrote in a scathing dissent, “Those who are bound by our decisions usually believe they can take us at our word…Not today.”

Van de Putte has been a mainstay of Texas politics for the last 25 years with seats in the Texas House of Representatives and Senate. Though she was unsuccessful last year in her bid for lieutenant governor, she has refocused her energies toward the San Antonio mayor’s office that was vacated by Julian Castro, and is the frontrunner in a runoff election scheduled for June. If she wins, Van de Putte will be the city’s first Hispanic female mayor. The 59-year-old pharmacist lives on the west side of San Antonio, barely a block and a half from where she grew up. And she likes it that way, to remain close to “mi gente” — her people.

Secretary of Labor

Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. Senator (R-Florida)

Candidate, Mayor of San Antonio; Former Texas Senator and Representative (D-Texas)

latinoleaders.com

Latino Leaders, in partnership with ALPFA

Inspired for greatness

Nicole Pérez, an Orlando native, attended an ALPFA Convention; she now has a good job and is looking up

I

Stories by

the Staff of Latino Leaders

t was a life changing experience.

That is how Nicole Pérez describes her assistance to the ALPFA 42nd Annual convention held in Orlando, Florida last year. She was pumped up by the speakers, motivated to look for a great job, got an interview and now she is working as a financial analyst. She landed a job with Verizon and now she is focused on honing her already impressive skills that she hopes should prepare her for one day to become a manager.

“I give credit to ALPFA for helping me gain access to these great opportunities. My next step is to develop my career through the many different opportunities that both Verizon and ALPFA have to offer and by pursuing my post-graduate education,” she says.

Pérez, 22, who lives in Orlando and on her off time plays recreational volleyball, was finishing her last semester as an undergraduate student at the University of Central Florida, when she started looking for a job that would meet her needs. She was searching for something that would let her grow professionally and personally, she says.

What to do?

Someone told Pérez about the Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA), an association that began in Los Angeles in 1972. The agency’s goal is to empower and develop Latinos as leaders of character for the nation in every sector of the economy, at a worldwide level.

Serving more than 23,000 members, both professionals and students like Pérez, ALPFA holds conventions and workshops to connect companies with talented Hispanics.

The association has access to 50,000 paid summer internships through Fortune 1000 corporate partners, along the way promoting philanthropy, volunteer works and helping local charities in the Latino community.

If you go •What: ALPFA, 43rd Annual Convention.

•Where: New York Hilton Midtown,1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10019.

•When: August 6-10.

•Information: http://convention.alpfa.org/next/

Courtesy photo ALPFA was going to hold a local convention, Pérez learned. So she went.

“My goal for the convention was simple: to obtain a job offer from a company that would equally fit my needs and help me grow both personally and professionally,” Pérez says. “Looking back, not only did the ALPFA Convention help me meet my goal but it exceeded my expectations in ways I would have never thought possible. “

“I FOUND IT VERY INSPIRING. I SPENT THE WHOLE WEEK THERE,” NICOLE PÉREZ, ABOUT THE ALPFA CONVENTION. In addition to finding solace in the speakers, Pérez also got some good tips from having conversations on the side during the convention. She planned to attend only one day and ended up going all four days of the convention.

“I found it very inspiring. I spent the whole week there,” Pérez says.

At the convention, she had several job interviews, acing them all, Pérez says. She chose Verizon, where she works as an analyst.

Buoyed by her success, Pérez says that she plans to pursue her post-graduate education. But come this August 6, she is heading to New York to the Hilton to attend the 43rd ALPFA Convention.

She says: “I plan to get into management.”

COVER STORY

42 • June 2015

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he office is an exercise of minimalism meets old-school deco, with some patriotism and classic Texas Longhorn ornaments thrown in the mix.

Somehow it befits George P. Bush, who is decked out in a navy blue twopiece power suit, light red silk tie, gleaming, dark-brown leather penny loafers tied with a gold clasp. On his desk sits a portrait of his wife, Amanda; to the right on a bookshelf rests three flags folded in triangular, military style within a trio of black wooden shadow boxes, while on the other side across his solid wood desk is a standing, metal desk.

Welcome to Bush’s work sanctum sanctorum. From here, atop of the Stephen F. Austin State Building, located in downtown Austin, the heir of the Bush family and one of America’s most well known political dynasties, oversees the Texas Land Commission.

Bush heads the office in charge of managing lands and mineral rights properties owned by the state, as well as helping fund public education. Some Texas political

observers see the Texas Land Commission post as a steppingstone for the governor’s office.

And from there, they say, who knows?

Top political observers believe that Bush, 39, is preparing the way for bigger political, maybe national posts. Some even say for the biggest office in the land.

In fact, some say that with his family history, name recognition (his father is Jeb Bush, former governor of Florida and likely presidential candidate) and with his Latino heritage (his mother, Columba, was born in Mexico), Bush could really become —dare we say it?— the first Latino president. Not only that, experts insist, but with all those credentials, and yes, with the hunky looks and winning smile —gifts not to be taken lightly— Bush could genuinely be the unifying force so desperately needed in today’s political landscape.

“Imagine? A governor from Texas, who just happens to be Hispanic, with name recognition and the most powerful fundraising machine in modern politics? Look out,” wrote Doug Wead for Newsmax (Wead co-wrote the book, Man of Integrity, with George H. W. Bush).

In the meantime and despite his new state office, Bush seems more concentrated on his current position than national

GEORGE P. BUSH POSES IN FRONT OF A ROW OF FLAGS, IN THE STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE BUILDING, IN AUSTIN TEXAS.

44 • June 2015

politics. With a dedicated staff, he has been toiling away on state affairs since January 2.

Unlike other Latino politicos who have talented Hispanics on staff but who often do not possess legitimate bicultural skills and lack a Latin American international experience, Bush seems to be choosing his people well and sending a clear message: That he takes Hispanics and his relations with Mexico and Latin America seriously. His Chief of Staff, J.R. Hernández, who is originally from León, Guanajuato (Columba Bush’s Mexican hometown) is a twenty-something, charismatic lad who boasts impressive bilingual and international skills, going from one language to another like a natural.

But does this mean that Bush’s plans include a bigger office?

“Politics is not only in my blood. It is part of who I am,” says Bush, flashing his picture-perfect smile.

Recently, sounding almost presidential according to political observers, Bush gave a state of the state address, in which he pointed out that his office is working to find new ways to protect the Texas coast, which is eroding on an average of 2.3 feet per year.

“We bring a special core expertise to coastal restoration,” he said.

A match made in Guanajuato, a match made in Texas The history of the man who for decades has had all eyes on him as a future national power player began in Mexico, specifically in León, Guanajuato. Located in central Mexico, the state of Guanajuato, in addition to being the home turf of the late classic ranchera composer, José Alfredo Jiménez, is known for its colonial era architecture— and its conservative politics.

It was in León, where an 18-year-old American aristocrat named John Ellis “Jeb” Bush —George P. Bush’s father— was studying there in a program for a New England prep school, when he spotted a girl inside a car. With a Brigitte Bardot hairstyle, Columba Garnica Bush, standing just 5 feet tall, impressed the 6 feet 2 inch Bush so much that he often recalls that this was one of his seminal, life-changing moments.

“My life can be defined in one real, powerful way, which is B.C. and A.C.: Before Columba and After Columba,” Jeb Bush often tells audiences, about his 1971 first encounter with Columba, at León’s main plaza.

Columba was a student of Colegio Mayllen, an all-girls school. Though Mayllen is considered one of León’s academies for upper-crust young ladies, Columba’s family was poor, with some of her family members having to migrate north to the U.S. for work, including her father.

The ballad of Jeb and Columba, a well-known story in León and now slowly becoming a quasimythopoeic styled, Cinderella, national tale, reached a landmark when the future governor of Florida and perhaps presidential candidate and the “Leonesa” (as women hailing from León are called) married in Feb-

ruary 1974 at the University of Texas’ Catholic student center.

Originally an Episcopalian, Jeb Bush would convert to Catholicism. His eldest son, Bush, credits his mother’s faith and values, she has met some Popes and is a dedicated Catholic, for being a guiding light.

“There’s two major values that my mother communicated: strong faith and strong ethics. Whether it’s the Catholic faith, but also to work hard. She’s definitely a rock in my life,” Bush says.

A Bush, through and through Political rivals often point out how then Vice President George Bush referred to his grandsons, Bush and his siblings, while running for president in 1988, as the “little brown ones,” (the grandfather quickly said in interviews that “this heart knows nothing but love and pride” for his grandchildren). But less remember that Bush, then just 12, actually pitched in his grandfather’s race by speaking at the 1988 Republican Convention or that George H.W. Bush started his book, Man of Integrity, by introducing George P., in which some observers say that it seems like the former president is grooming his grandson for political heights.

Though many see a sort of master plan, a kind of royal passing of the torch to a tutored heir, Bush sees things differently, he says. He explains that growing up as a Bush, to him, was just the most natural thing, reminiscing that one of his earliest childhood recollections occurred when he was a four year old; his grandfather had announced that he was running for President (George H. W. Bush would lose the bid, but would be tapped by Ronald Reagan in 1980 to run as his Vice-President).

“That’s really my first memory,” recalls Bush of that era in 1979.

Born in Houston, Bush and his family would eventually move to Florida, he recalls. He would attend Gulliver Preparatory School in Coral Gables, where one of his classmates was future recording artist and also a second-generation public persona, Enrique Iglesias.

Despite all the hoopla of an American-style blueblood lineage, Bush’s first job was as a janitor, he remembers. His father was into the other family business of real estate, so he thought what better way to learn real estate than by doing janitorial work?

“My first job was cleaning garages,” he recalls. “I learned very quickly the value of a dollar, looking at your paycheck, seeing how much goes to the government and how much you get to keep.”

After High School, Bush chose Rice University, a Houstonbased school that is considered in the top 20 universities in the country. He elected it because it was closer to home and he was into baseball, a sport the school supported— Alex Rodríguez, the future baseball star, was his teammate.

“It was important for me to get into the right university,” he evokes.

During the 1990s, Bush kept a low profile. But by the latter part of that decade, coinciding nicely with the spectacular Latino boom of that era —suddenly the demographics, the

“Politics is not only in my blood.

It is part of who I am.”

“Imagine? A governor from Texas, who just happens to be Hispanic, with name recognition and the most powerful fundraising machine in modern politics? Look out.”- Doug Wead, an author, regarding George P. Bush and his possible launch into larger political posts. culture and numbers turned Hispanics into the minority group of the moment— the eldest son of Jeb and Columba Bush was at the right time and at the right moment. In 2000, People Magazine picked him as one of the 100 most eligible bachelors; it was also the year that he campaigned for his uncle, George W. Bush in his presidential bid.

With dark good looks and an infectious smile that seemed to intoxicate women, Bush was the new Latino sensation. Almost immediately, both the mainstream and Spanish press labeled him as the next political star, saying that the young Bush had practically every gift needed to become the future public figure to watch out for.

As the media covered his uncle’s presidential campaign, they described the young P. Bush as an expert in “Hispanic and female outreach.” Other publications dismissed him as mere “eye candy” without any substance.

In a New York Times story, an unnamed aide described Bush as “Ricky Martin, except better looking.”

Still, he says that though public speaking and politics run in his blood, he was not obsessed with this. He was more into serving others, he says.

“You look at scriptures and they say that to he who is given, much is expected. I didn’t have a fixation on entering politics. I had more of an interest through their guidance [his grandfather and other family members] and their leadership to look at ways to serve other people,” he says.

WINNING SMILE. GEORGE P. BUSH SMILES FOR THE CAMERA, IN HIS AUSTIN, TEXAS OFFICE, IN MAY.

An officer and a gentleman On August 7, 2004, Bush’s bachelor days came to an end, when he married Amanda Williams, a blond law student and classmate; she is now a Fort Worth lawyer. The ceremony took place at Kennebunkport, Maine, at an Episcopal Church.

So far the marriage has produced two children: Prescott Bush, 2, and John Williams Bush, who was born on April 13.

Along the way, Bush became a lawyer, joined the Navy and served in “Operation Enduring Freedom in 2011, in which his identity remained under wraps for security reasons while he served in Afghanistan. In addition to his patriotism, Bush says

George P. Bush timeline 1953- John Ellis Bush, the second son of former president George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush, is born in Midland, Texas 1953- Columba Garnica Bush is born in León, Guanajuato.

Her parents are José María Garnica Rodríguez and Josefina Gallo Esquivel.

1971- A 17-year-old Jeb Bush spots Columba Garnica de Gallo in León, Guanajuato’s main plaza, while she is sitting in a car with her sister and a friend. Bush claims that he instantly fell in love with her.

1979- George H.W. Bush, George P.’s grandfather, announces his bid to run for president. George P. Bush claims that is one of his first childhood memories.

1980- Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush win the White House (Bush becomes Vice-President).

1980 – Jeb Bush Moves to Florida and begins working in real estate development.

1983- Jeb Bush Jr., the third child of Jeb and Columba Bush, is born.

1989-1993 - Grandfather George H.W. Bush serves as the 41st president.

1994 - Jeb Bush loses the gubernatorial race to Governor Lawton Chiles (D-FL).

1998- George P. Bush becomes a public High School teacher in Homestead, Florida.

January 5, 1999-January 2, 2007 – Jeb Bush, Republican Governor of Florida.

2000- George P. Bush campaigns for his uncle’s presidential bid.

1973- February 23, Jeb and Columba Bush marry in Texas.

1987-1988 – Jeb Bush becomes Florida Commerce Secretary.

1976- George P. Bush is born in Houston.

46 • June 2015 1977- Noelle Lucila Bush, Jeb and Columba’s second child, is born.

1988 – Jeb Bush Resigns as commerce secretary to help his father George H.W. Bush with his presidential campaign.

2001-2009 – Uncle, George W. Bush serves as the 43rd president.

that serving in the military has helped shape his leadership skills.

Those skills were first tested in 2013, when he announced that he would run for Commissioner of the Texas Land Office, a post where some previous holders have gone on to work at the governor’s office. John Cook, a democrat and a former mayor of El Paso was Bush’s opponent.

“My opponent is working on his resume,” Cook told the El Paso Times during the campaign. “I actually have one.”

For decades, the Bushes —including Jeb Bush, his father— had a history of not winning their first political contests. “P” obliterated that family tradition by nabbing the Texas Land Commission post handily in 2014.

Regarding his new post, Bush says so far so good.

But what concerns him now is doing a good job so that

in case a bigger one comes his way —and he does not specify what— he can be ready and also count on voter approval.

Also on his list of things to do is to mobilize young people out of voter apathy. Then there are Latinos, who in the years to come will be a majority minority, he says. With big numbers also comes big responsibility, he adds.

On the first floor of the state building, Bush shows some reporters the countless files of the archive center. Here lie some files that date back to when Texas was still part of Mexico.

So what is his next step? What are his plans?

A Spanish speaker, Bush is personally teaching his children the language. He also wants to promote politics and civic responsibility within the Latino community.

But for now, he says, he intends to concentrate on his current state position. He wants to take things one step at a time.

He says: “Paso a paso.”

November 5, 2002 - With 56% of the vote, Jeb Bush becomes the first Republican governor to win re-election in Florida.

2013- On June, Prescott Walker, George P. and Amanda Bush’s first child is born.

2004- George P. Bush again campaigns for his uncle’s presidential reelection bid.

March 2013 - Jeb Bush’s book “Immigration Wars,” written with Clint Bolick, is released.

2004- On August 7, 2004, George P. Bush marries law school classmate, Amanda Williams.

2014- George P. Bush wins election for Texas Land Commissioner with 61 per cent of the vote, including 49 per cent of the Latino vote. He becomes the first Bush ever to win an election on a first try.

2015- On January 2, George P. Bush takes office.

December 14, 2014 - During an interview, Jeb Bush says that he will release 250,000 emails from his two terms in office as Florida governor and will publish an eBook outlining his governing philosophy.

January 6, 2015 – Jeb Bush launches a new political action committee that allows him to lay the groundwork for a presidential run.

2007- George P. Bush joins U.S. Navy.

2007 - Jeb Bush forms Jeb Bush & Associates, a consulting firm.

2012- George P. Bush announces his intentions of running for a state office.

2013- George P. Bush files papers to run for Texas Land Commissioner.

December 16, 2014 - In a Facebook post, Jeb Bush states, “I have decided to actively explore the possibility of running for President of the United States.”

January 1, 2015 - An aide confirms to CNN that Jeb Bush has resigned from all of his corporate and nonprofit board memberships, including forestry company Rayonier Inc., the board at Tenet Healthcare Corporation, and the board of British bank Barclays.

2015- On April 13, John William, the second child of George P. and Amanda Bush, is born.

March 11, 2015 – Jeb Bush announces he is selling his ownership stakes in his remaining business interests: Jeb Bush and Associates, and Britton Hill.

PORTFOLIO TECHNOLOGY

Latinos and tech: A beautiful friendship Stories by

Judi Jordan

The 2013

Courtesy photos

Pew Institute findings make me laugh. They claim that 86% of U.S. Latinos own a cellphone. Have you ever met a Latino without a cellphone?

Well, Pew Research Center got the general message right; Latinos own smartphones, go online from a mobile device and use social networking sites at similar—and now higher— rates than do other groups of Americans, according to their most recently published analysis. And…the biggest spikes in technology adoption are among foreign-born Latinos and Spanish-dominant Latinos.

This survey, completed in 2012 and published in 2013, covered all 50 states and the District of Columbia among a randomly selected, nationally representative sample of 1,765 Latino adults.

It’s one thing to Tweet, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr, Digg, Google Buzz, Flickr, Stumbleupon, and be Linkedin, but tech trailblazing takes a certain kind of linear mindset to embrace technology and employ it in new, life-changing and innovative ways.

Our tech leaders are achievers in diverse arenas; from creation, to healing, securing our businesses, transmitting sound, or inspiring the next generation to inherit this land. Latino power grows ever more sophisticated as we rise to the challenge to embrace our highest potential, and stay connected to share our success.

48 • June 2015

LIFE ON THE FAST LANE

DIANA ORTEGA GENERAL MOTORS (GM) QUALITY LAUNCH MANAGER It’s been said that great minds think alike.

That kind of group-think is especially powerful when highly motivated engineers come together. Linear, logical and results-driven, when things make sense, they generally get behind a concept.

In 1974 SHPE [Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers] was launched. Now, in its 40th year, stronger than ever, SHPE [pronounced SHIP] powers forward, with over 150 professional chapters.

Diana Ortega, General Motors (GM) Quality Launch Manager was elected SHPE President of the Chicago chapter in October of 2014; her personal mandate to see more Latino candidates was off to a flying start at a recent career conference where GM hired 40 engineers on the spot.

How cool is that? No wasting time on her watch! Says Ortega; “My realm is quality— making sure that every product exceeds the metrics.”

Obviously that extends to her own efforts outside of GM where she steers SHPE. Ortega has her eye out for those talented young candidates polishing their skills towards that kind of gratification; she’s involved with a variety of programs, including professional development workshops, the GM Scholarship Achievers Program, and a specially focused ‘Latina Track’ to develop more female candidates.

Ortega is even out pep-talking first and second graders, instilling in them the knowledge that their contribution is necessary for the future.

“We have to be ready,” she tells them.

Ortega knows firsthand how important outside support can be. She grew up in inner - city Detroit. “It can be very difficult; some of these students have parents that struggle with science and math,” she explains.

The Launch Manager has been on board with SHPE since college; “I’ve been around SHPE for many years —we have university chapters and in the past few years Junior SHPE chapters have been started— we’re going into middle schools and high schools to get Latinas and Latinos excited and prepared.”

Her devotion to excellence at GM spills over into SHPE. She wants to be certain that the new hires continue to make the grade and has initiated career development programs.

“It’s one thing to make sure we get them a job and make sure they are on their way to success; along the way what can we do to make sure they stay on track ? We put together a professional development workshop, and also want to focus on the Latinas, doing the track at a local level, and getting companies involved that are maybe not automotive.”

latinoleaders.com

PORTFOLIO TECHNOLOGY

THE VIGILANT TECH ENTREPRENEUR LAURA SÁNCHEZ SWATWARE CEO TALK ABOUT TIMING. SWATware CEO Laura Sánchez started her successful, Chicago-based, tech business in the depths of the recession in 2008. Gentle but gutsy, she came to Chicago with no contacts, no family, nada— but knowing that the IT business is built on trust and connections she positioned herself for success by opening a graphic design firm.

This created the ‘confidence bridge’ to clients who were satisfied with the web design and wanted more.

With her soft voice and precise articulation, Sánchez is an awesome communicator.

She listens, and responds directly without dissembling. You just know she’s honest.

“I’m passionate about helping our customers through the whole process,” she says.

As anyone with a computer knows, getting topnotch, consistent live and local tech service has become more and more illusive. No doubt this is Sanchez’s secret weapon.

One of only three female IT company owners in Chi-town; she also has a particular advantage when it involves building, running and protecting sites marketing to consumers.

Demonstrating incredible facility for translating stellar customer service and intuitive management to growth, Sánchez has maintained her enthusiasm for SWATware by broadening the initial web setup to a 360-degree, one-stop IT service shop. They provide Web Design and Development, IT Management, Social Media and Cyber Security.

“For many clients, we are like an external IT; we have clients who went from one to 20 computers and we have been able to guide them,” she explains.

Essentially a tech haven for small to medium businesses, Sánchez also partners with giants like Google, MS to handle bigger deals, and is often sub-contracted for sensitive government clients. Integrity and reliability being requirements for that level of clearance, it’s a good indicator of their security-savvy. A source of pride for SWATware is their record for warding off cyber gremlins.

Sanchez says: “None of our websites have been hacked.”

50 • June 2015

HI TECH SURGEON IT’S HARD TO IMAGINE a surgeon more excited about his work than Dr. Carlos Lavernia.

Extremely accomplished, in his day-to-day he does double duty as Medical Director of the Center for Advanced Orthopedics at Larkin and Chief of Orthopedics at Larkin Community Hospital in South Miami.

Scalpel sharp, Dr. Lavernia came to medicine with a MS in Biomedical Engineering, and developed his specialty practice in Orthopedic Surgery.

“I started as an engineer and part of my medical research we actually assisted in surgery.”

Dr. Lavernia fell in love with Orthopedics as an extension of his engineering—fixing people gives him intense joy.

“One of the most amazing feelings is getting them out of a wheelchair and getting them to dance..!” he says.

Those combined skills became his power pack, and led to consulting on the hugely successful, million-dollar MAKOplasty® Robotic Arm. “The learning curve is about 10 surgeries. We practiced on cadavers.”

Dr. Lavernia developed his signature arthroplasty surgery; innovative high - tech robotic arm surgery techniques that achieve precision, accuracy, and proficiency in implant alignment and positioning of hips and knees. He’s still inventing; he has numerous innovations that hold patents. But that’s only part of what makes Dr. Lavernia a star.

His ‘night’ job –well, more like his ‘vacation job’ is Operation Walk, an important nonprofit he got involved with in 2010 that has offered 492 pro - bono hip and knee operations to impoverished individuals in far-flung locations in the US, Latin America and beyond.

Dr. Lavernia remembers the call: “The renowned surgeon Larry Dorr from LA rang and asked; “Do you want to go with me on a mission to a poor country in Latin America?

And because I also speak the language, it’s helpful.”

Dr. Lavernia jumped at the chance to give back. “One of the things I realize is that I was given a lot of things…to give back at the thing you do every day —for me— I can do that with what I normally do.”

Now, Dr. Lavernia heads a team of local surgeons who go for five days to a specific location once a year and do free surgeries non-stop. He laughs, admitting it was initially not easy to get ‘top surgeons with big egos’ in one room to agree to work pro-bono. But once they made the trip, they were hooked.

“We bring about 4 or 5 top-notch surgeons. We normally fly in on a Friday and work for four days straight. Some of those patients will take a bus for 3 or 4 days traveling to us. Some will walk for hours. When we’re done, it’s an incredible feeling. The next day you’re walking on air.

“Next, I’m headed to Honduras.”

CARLOS LAVERNIA MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THE CENTER FOR ADVANCED ORTHOPEDICS AT LARKIN AND CHIEF OF ORTHOPEDICS AT LARKIN COMMUNITY HOSPITAL IN SOUTH MIAMI

latinoleaders.com

PORTFOLIO TECHNOLOGY

HERO OF A NEW SOUND FIFTEEN YEARS AT JL AUDIO went by in a flash for José Luis Rodríguez.

“JL Audio feels like a family.”

He loves his job as Director of Manufacturing at JL Audio and as the home theater business has become more sophisticated, so have his systems. JL Audio focuses in Home, Mobile, Power Sports and Marine Audio markets and is known for their unique engineering, high-performance audio equipment. The company builds many of its speakers in the U.S. because most of their premium loudspeakers incorporate proprietary, patented technologies that require unique assembly techniques, and they must build them where they have control over the process.

Presently, their premium subwoofer drivers and marine speakers are built in-house, as are most of JL’s Enclosed Subwoofer Systems and their line of Stealthbox® products. This production sits on the shoulders of José, who has witnessed the evolution from speakers mounted from corners to the current trend of incorporating them in the architectural plans for homes, hidden behind walls.

“Home theaters are now integrating their speakers discreetly, and new home owners are doing built-ins. The best time is pre-construction.”

Rodríguez adds: “An area of new business that has emerged is Marine Products; they have taken off exponentially.”

No wonder, with all the huge yachts out there, the home away from home can’t suffer from inferior sound. Jose agrees, “It’s an exciting time to be in audio. I love it.”

JOSÉ LUIS RODRÍGUEZ DIRECTOR OF MANUFACTURING AT JL AUDIO IN SOUTH MIAMI

52 • June 2015

TECHNOLOGY’S DIVERSITY GURU

ANDRE ARBELÁEZ PRESIDENT OF HITEC

HE HAS that confident, outgoing ‘expert’ air about him— and it’s no act.

One of his favorite catchphrases is “Diversity by design, inclusion by intent.” Driven by intention with a firm vision of a bright Hispanic future is tech strategy and marketing guru, Andre Arbeláez.

President of HITEC, [Hispanic IT Executive Council] since 2007, and SVP, Chief Strategy Officer, of IT leader, Softek USA, the gregarious Arbelaez is Colombian by birth. He knows everybody who’s anybody in tech and diversity— those two now-happily colliding universes. And, as befits a man with a mission, Arbeláez travels constantly from his long-time home base in Detroit.

“I live on Delta seat row 5A the seat behind business,” he chuckles, pauses. “I’m joking.”

Actually, he’s not. In fact, Arbelaez is jetting off to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. as we speak. It’s his first visit and he’s pretty stoked.

“I’m meeting with the CIO.” Yes, Arbeláez is having lunch at the White House with Tony Scott, the Chief Information Officer to talk tech and no doubt, strategize over Latinos ’ critical role in the next few years.

It all sounds very impressive, and like too much fun. What exactly is Andre’s mission? “Reinforcement of the message.” And that is…?

“My job is to reinforce the positives.”

Nice job. If that sounds vague, have patience. He does go deeper; he just likes to build suspense.

Here’s what Arbeláez’s energetically hammering home at the highest level: Latinos are the most avid consumers of technology, and we deserve to be treated with the respect that kind of market share commands.

If Arbeláez has his way, the days of whispered Hispanic power and false humility are numbered. With our appetite for technology and importance to the US economy, grander things are in store. Arbeláez is all about Hispanics’ raised visibility— having a ‘seat at the table’ where the key decisions are being made. Vocal and articulate on the topic of Latinos in society, diversity and technology, Arbeláez, as a strategic marketer, is leading a forceful charge for our ‘branding’ as a people.

“Latinos are too modest”, asserts Arbeláez. “We’re taught not to brag.”

Well, most Latinos.

ANDRE ARBELÁEZ, TALKING ABOUT HIS QUINTESSENTIAL SUBJECT: LATINOS AND TECHNOLOGY.

The top 20 Latino

leaders in technology

Several visionaries and companies are making their mark Story by Pablo Schneider / Courtesy photo

T

echnology is transforming life as we know it.

It is touching every area of our lives— how we connect, interact, communicate, learn, parent, work, worship, play, travel, dine, shop, exercise, and vacation – to name a few. Latino leadership in technology is vital to our leadership in impacting America and there is a significant breadth and depth of Latino leadership in Information Technology.

Here we look at three strong examples of Latino leadership in IT— HITEC, Softtek, and the Top 20 Latino Tech Leaders.

There are a number of prominent Hispanic leaders in information technology in Corporate America. Terrific examples include AT&T Mexico CEO Thaddeus Arroyo, Hewlett Packard SVP and CIO Ramon Baez, Facebook CIO Tim Campos, Bank of America Managing Director Rosa Ramos-Kwok, CISCO Senior Director Ileana Rivera and Comcast SVP and CIISO Myrna Soto. Besides being top national and global leaders in IT, these leaders have something in common— they all serve on the Board of Directors of the Hispanic IT Executive Council (HITEC) (www.hitecglobal.org).

HITEC’s focus is on significantly increasing Hispanic leadership in Information Technology, enabling the business and professional growth of its members, and building a pipeline of the next generation of Hispanic IT executives. Since its founding in 2006 by HITEC board member and Softtek SVP David Olivencia and a handful of Hispanic IT executives, HITEC has grown into one of the most powerful networks of IT leaders in the U.S. Today, HITEC has approximately 250 members who represent 58 organizations ranging from Fortune 1000 companies, to middle market companies to entrepreneurial ventures. Andre Arbeláez, HITEC President and SVP of Softtek, spearheads a great lineup of programs including quarterly executive summits around the country and an annual HITEC 100 event in Silicon Valley.

The HITEC 100 features the top Hispanics in IT. They are a formidable group.

Incidentally, I have the honor and pleasure of serving on the HITEC Advisory Board with 100 honorees such as Oracle Group Vice President Juan Carlos

“The HITEC 100 features the top Hispanics in IT. They are a formidable group.”

54 • June 2015

Gutiérrez, Gartner VP and Distinguished Analyst Jorge López and CISCO SVP Guillermo Diaz, Jr. Also, as a member of the HITEC Advisory Board, I have the privilege of serving as a mentor to Lockheed Martin IT Manager, Nalby Inthraksa, a Latina rising star in Information Technology.

Softtek (www.softtek.com) is a great example of an “under the radar” middle market IT company that has some powerful Hispanic leadership. Led by CEO Blanca Treviño, Softtek has grown from its founding in Monterrey, Mexico in 1992, to operating in 20 countries around the world today.

Softtek’s business in the U.S. and Canada was started in 1995 by President Marcos Jiménez.

Since then, Softtek’s U.S. and Canada business has grown to include name brand clients such as Anheuser Busch, Broadcom, Burger King, General Electric, Heinz, and Hewlett Packard.

When telling the Softtek story, Marcos talks about the U.S. being the most fiercely competitive market in the world and how through entrepreneurial drive and world-class talent, the company has grown to 9,000 associates, half of whom support the U.S. and Canada business.

The addition of David Olivencia as Senior Vice President - Communications, Media & Technology Industries, is a major coup for the company. He has had a stellar career as a senior IT executive with companies such as Ford, Accenture, Oracle, and Verizon.

As a co-founder of HITEC, board member of the National Association of Corporate Directors, New Jersey Chapter, and a member of the Indiana Governor’s Commission on Minority and Women’s Business Enterprises, Olivencia is a terrific role model for Latinos in IT and a top thought leader in IT nationally.

Look for Softtek and David to continue their robust growth and success in the market.

At a recent Latinos & Society Summit that took place at the Aspen Institute, I had an opportunity to meet three Hispanic tech entrepreneurs, including Tanya Menéndez of Maker’s Row, Sarahi Espinoza Salamanca of DREAMers RoadMap and Ricardo García-Amaya of VOIQ. All three of these dynamic Hispanic tech entrepreneurs have founded new companies with innovative offerings.

Ricardo is also the Founder of the Top 20 Latino Tech Leaders (www.latinotechleaders.org). This is a group of Latino tech founders and innovators that have had $3B in aggregate exits and have created thousands of jobs.

HITEC, Softtek, and the Top 20 Latino Tech Leaders are three great examples of the breadth, depth, and dynamic leadership of Hispanics in Information Technology. If you are interested in Hispanics in IT, HITEC, Softtek, and the “Top 20” are definitely worth checking out.

EVENTS

LATINO MEDIA

SHOWCASE

PHOTOS BY KEVIN KANE

APRI L 23, 2015

Brave,

new media

The first ever Latino Media Talent Showcase took place at the Big Apple with great success

I

t was a night to remember.

Some of New York’s top young guns showed up at the first Latino Media Talent Showcase to, well, showcase their gifts. It happened on April 23, at the famed Nomad Hotel, with New America Alliance and NBC Universal hosting the event.

Jorge Ferráez, Latino Leaders Magazine’s publisher opened the session by discussing the power of media, and how harnessing it for the benefit of all Hispanics and by sharing the stories of success of it’s most prominent leaders it will become a game changer.

Latinos in top positions have paved the way for a new wave of leaders, continued Pilar Ávila, CEO of the New America Alliance. Strategic media partnerships are key to bringing those stories forward, she concluded.

Cristina Schwarz, President and General Manager of Telemundo 47 New York, shared her team’s mission to grow a diverse talent pool for the news team, for whom attracting and retaining the best, most diverse employees provides a significant competitive advantage in the media and entertainment industry.

A diverse and inclusive culture where individuals of all backgrounds can succeed is the responsibility of each and every employee, contributed Eric Salzman, Executive Producer of MSNBC. Anna González, Director of Social Media at CNBC and José Morales, Vice-President of Content, WNJU, also shared the vision they had for their teams.

56 • June 2015

ABOVE: LATINO LEADERS MAGAZINE GREETS GUESTS WITH ITS CLASSY WAY AT THE LATINO MEDIA TALENT SHOWCASE. BELOW, WINES FROM FRIAS FAMILY VINEYARDS BROUGHT THEIR EXCELLENT CHEER TO A ONE OF A KIND NIGHT.

LATINO LEADERS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

LEFT TOP: EDWARD PORTILLO (LEFT) AND ERIC SALZMAN, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF MSNBC. TOP RIGHT: CRISTINA SCHWARZ (LEFT), PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER OF TELEMUNDO, WITH A GUEST.

MEDIUM LEFT: MONICA CASTILLO AND ANNA GONZALEZ- DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL MEDIA, CNBC BELOW LEFT:LAUREN HAMLET AND ANTONIO VARGAS.

“Diversity and inclusion is not a fad; rather it is woven into the very fabric that is NBCUniversal,” Morales said.

They shared on how the Diversity and Inclusion team collaborates with human resources and the different business units on the development of comprehensive multi-year plans to recruit, retain, and promote employees and executives in every area of the company. They encouraged all guests to network and share ideas to solidify these principles.

Being that NBC Universal is an entertainment and information business, the associates said they recognized the need for diverse voices that reflect society’s multiple points of views with a commitment that extends to increasing diversity both in front, off and behind the cameras.

Latinos will be treated as they are perceived, latinoleaders.com

EVENTS

LATINO MEDIA

SHOWCASE APRI L 23, 2015

LATINO LEADERS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

THE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE OF THE MEDIA IN NEW YORK CAME OUT FOR A GRACIOUS NIGHT, DURING THE LATINO MEDIA TALENT SHOWCASE.

IT CERTAINLY WAS A NIGHT TO REMEMBER WITH GREAT GUESTS DURING THE LATINO MEDIA TALENT SHOWCASE.

Officials said that this was an evening that planted seeds that will ripen with an impact far beyond its first gathering. They added some of those voices have started to be heard and might now find a platform to reach us all. and that is why NBC Universal’s mission of being ever more inclusive of diverse audiences, developing content that matters and enhancing the diversity of the talent pool is more important than ever before, officials said.

These objectives were discussed throughout the evening by executives from MSNBC, Talmud 47, CNBC, NBC 4, and NBC News and Digital.

They shared the need for new projects to expand diverse and innovative programming across all platforms and to take news beyond the usual conversation, toward something more inspired, empowered and energized, and to tell and reflect the Latino story with these authentic voices, they said, Media is the main source where inspiration and empowerment lie, those present said.

They added this is why it is key to integrate those voices who will raise the quality of the conversation.

Officials said that this was an evening that planted seeds that will ripen with an impact far beyond its first gathering. They added some of those voices have started to be heard and might now find a platform to reach us all.

58 • June 2015

JORGE FERRÁEZ (MIDDLE), THE PUBLISHER OF LATINO LEADERS MAGAZINE, WITH FRIENDS, DURING A GREAT NIGHT FOR THE MEDIA IN NEW YORK.

LATINO LEADERS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH STORY BY JOSEPH TREVIÑO PHOTOS BY PETER A. BURG

A BAND APART. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: ELISHA BONNEWITZ, FLORA MARÍA GARCÍA, PENELOPE B. PÉREZ-KELLY, MARIA DAVYDOVA, AMELIA CEJA, CAMILA PACHÓN SILVA, SINDY CANIZALES WALTERS, NAYDA NUÑEZ AND LIGIA ESPINOSA.

VANGUARD

ORLANDO

EVENTS

Paving

the way for women The Orlando Latina Vanguard Series, an event conducted in partnership with Northwestern Mutual and Ceja Vineyards, was a rave success.

“You have to know more about your service and your product,”Amelia Ceja, of Ceja Vineyards.

T

hey came. They saw and they have conquered their doubts, their ventures and their goals.

A group of successful Latinas from different fields in the Orlando area came together last March 24th at the Casa Feliz Historic Museum in Orlando, Florida. They attended the Latina Vanguard, a series which brings together professional women from all fields to explore the unique role Hispanic women bring to the workplace, society and their communities.

THE GROUP OF DISTINGUISHED LATINAS GOT TOGETHER ON MARCH 24, AT THE CASA FELIZ HISTORIC MUSEUM IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA, FOR A LUNCHEON TO REMEMBER. latinoleaders.com

EVENTS

VANGUARD

ORLANDO

STORY BY JOSEPH TREVIÑO PHOTOS BY PETER A. BURG

ELISHA BONNEWITZ (LEFT), CONVERSES WITH FLORA MARÍA GARCÍA (CENTER) AND SINDY CANIZALEZ WALTERS, DURING THE ORLANDO LATINA VANGUARD SERIES.

The Latina Vanguard Series, which was conducted

by Northwestern Mutual, Ceja Vineyards and Latino Leaders Magazine, has been touring the country. The series has taken place in cities ranging from Dallas, Miami to Orlando.

The series includes a luncheon, followed by a discussion of in-depth topics, where the women, like in Orlando, often converse about what it means to be a successful Latina to having children while being dedicated professionals.

A key to success in your profession or business is to know your product, craft or endeavor not only well, but to the utmost degree says Amelia Ceja, president of Ceja Vineyards. She should know, since Ceja, in addition to producing hundreds of wine videos, was recognized by the California Legislature as “Woman of the Year” in 2005.

“You have to know more about your service and your product,” Ceja says.

Still, in cities like Orlando which despite its many attractions, Latinas lack a support infrastructure, the women said.

In addition, though there are many people who are talented, Orlando lacks a more solid support for the arts, says Flora María García, President of United Arts of Central Florida. This is partly, she says, because the city is not as well established as other cities.

“It’s a new community. As a city Orlando is very, very young,” she says.

Ten women joined Jorge Ferráez, publisher of Latino Leaders Magazine, and Yol-Itzma Aguirre, National Director of Communications and Special Events.

Those who attended were Camila Pachón Silva, cofounder or Astera Law Group, García, María Davydova, also co-founder of Astera Law Group, Elisha Bonnewitz, 60 • June 2015

DR. NAYDA M. NUÑEZ, LISTENS ON, DURING THE ORLANDO LATINA VANGUARD SERIES.

LIGIA ESPINOSA, OF NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL, TAKES PART IN THE ORLANDO LATINA VANGUARD SERIES.

“More successful women would procreate if their work environment was conducive,” says Maria Davydova, of the Astera Law Group.

FLORA MARÍA GARCÍA, PRESIDENT OF UNITED ARTS OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, JOINED OTHER DISTINGUISHED LATINAS WHO ATTENDED THE ORLANDO LATINA VANGUARD SERIES.

LATINO LEADERS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

SINDY CANIZALES WALTER, THE LOCAL FIELD DIRECTOR OF NORTHWESTERN MUTUAL, WAS HAPPY TO JOIN OTHER WOMEN DURING A LUNCHEON OF THE ORLANDO LATINA VANGUARD SERIES.

CAMILA PACHÓN SILVA, AN ATTORNEY OF THE ASTERA LAW GROUP, TOOK PART IN THE ORLANDO LATINA VANGUARD SERIES.

MARIA DAVYDOVA, A BILINGUAL ATTORNEY WHO SPEAKS RUSSIAN AND BELONGS TO THE ASTERA LAW GROUP, REASONED THAT COMPANIES SHOULD SUPPORT MOTHERS MORE DURING THE ORLANDO LATINA VANGUARD SERIES.

Director of Community Affairs of Valencia College and Dr. Nayda M. Nuñez, of Integrated Chiropractic Healthcare.

In addition, they were joined by Penelope B. Pérez-Kelly, of Pérez-Kelly Law Firm, Ligia Espinosa, of Northwestern Mutual and Sindy Canizales Walters, local director of Northwestern Mutual. Ceja, of Ceja Vineyards, also took part in the luncheon.

At one point, the topic of the discussion turned to having children and the dilemma professional women face when they combine their careers with child rearing. More than half said they have children and while some said having kids was important, others said being mothers could be combined with excellent careers.

Still, some said the key to having children and careers was a good, understanding employer with a culture that looked well upon motherhood.

“More successful women would procreate if their work environment was conducive,” says Maria Davydova, of the Astera Law Group.

Ceja says that in addition to raising children –for women who choose to do so- it is important that mothers don’t spoil their children, while at the same time teaching them responsibility and the value of hard work. But one important thing is to teach children and young women, when it comes to business, to follow their gut feelings.

She says: “Your instincts will tell you where you should go.”

“Your instincts will tell you where you should go,”Amelia Ceja, of Ceja Vineyards.

AMELIA CEJA, OF CEJA VINEYARDS, TOLD THE WOMEN WHO ATTENDED THE ORLANDO LATINA VANGUARD SERIES, THAT IT IS IMPORTANT THEY FOLLOW THEIR DREAMS IN AN UNDILUTED WAY.

latinoleaders.com

CAN MUSIC SAVE YOUR

LATINO

SOUL? The Bowers & Wilkins T7, a portable Bluetooth speaker, may very well end up being the musical redemption for millennials- and other generations.

I

n an era when listening to music in a social scene has been reduced to ear cans or the muffled sounds of an anemic Bluetooth speaker in small gatherings, it’s hard to believe that at one point in history, boomboxes ruled the musical and sound world.

The big, heavy ghetto blasters practically had succeeded transistor radios, which had been popular from the 60s to the 1970s, along the way nurturing rock n’ roll music. Loud, flashy and unapologetic, boomboxes made and designed mostly in Japan and Taiwan –though they were invented in the Netherlands- reached their zenith during the 1980s, but by the time the 1990s came around, they were as dead as Jordache jeans.

Bowers & Wilkins, the venerable, blue-blood British firm is betting that its latest creation, the T7, a portable Bluetooth speaker the size of an old school common transistor radio (9 inches wide and 2 inches thick) may spark the spiritual resurrection of those gadgets and ghetto blasters of yore— albeit, without losing their aristocratic mien in the process.

The U.K. firm is hoping to have imbued the T7 with its legendary audiophile sound, giving it killer looks —all wrapped-up in a package small enough to be carried in a purse or by one hand— ikely to ensnare millenials and awaken them from the lethargy of living out of their cell phones and tablets while convincing music lovers from Generation X and beyond that here lies the answer to the plague of musical silence.

But is this small, Bluetooth speaker really up to the task? In addition to fighting an uphill battle of evangelizing a generation in which music played in public is almost alien, the T7 also faces stiff competition from serious contenders.

62 • June 2015

By

Joseph Treviño

The sound of music

Diminutive in size, the T7 carries a big responsibility. Since the 1960s, Bowers & Wilkins has been creating some of the most respected audiophile equipment (Abbey Roads Studios —known as the Beatles home studio— carries their Diamond flagship speakers, which cost $24,000 a pair).

The soundtracks for many movies, including Lord of the Rings, have been tested by engineers using Diamond speakers. In terms of sound and music, the brand has an unquestionable highclass pedigree.

During the last decade, Bowers & Wilkins opted for taking some of its audiophile prowess and wisdom to the masses (though remaining pricey) by developing their 600 series speakers and airplay and Bluetooth speakers like the Zeppelin series. Not surprisingly, in terms of sound excellence, the latter products blew away the competition in their price range.

But the arena in which the T7 is struggling is an entirely different weight class. Bowers has ventured headfirst into the small, bluetooth speaker world designed mostly for millennials, a generation which largely has been fed on dismal quality products, shunning high-grade CD recordings for compressed, lower bit-rate recordings that may be practical to carry but sacrifices sound eminence.

How to convince the new generation that for their beloved music, noise excellence –the ability to hear a crystal clear soprano or to appreciate the guitar licks of a Keith Richards like he was playing in your bedroom with his favorite Marshal amps– should almost be a religious experience? How to convert the new masses to the catechesis of the doctrine that leaves no room but for only the joyful noise that the recording artists intended, without artificial colorations?

THE BOWERS & WILKINS T7. CAN IT REALLY LEAD THE PORTABLE WIRELESS BLUETOOTH SEGMENT?

Mariachi de Mi Tierra. The brilliant acoustic guitar work of Los Panchos shined through, as Jose Luis Rodriguez “El Puma,” that former master of 80s Latino ballads belted boleros in his mid-1990s masterpiece,

Let the music play

Then there’s the competition, which is aimed directly at the T7.

On one corner is the Marshall Stanmore, which costs about $400 (fifty more than the T7’s $349; the Stanmore’s little brother, the Acton, costs $300). Also from Britain, looking like a classic rock amplifier (the brand has a reputation for making some of the best amps in the business), the Stanmore is louder and bigger than the T7, blasting away more like a savage ghetto blaster from the deep, dark 80s than the subservient bluetooth speakers so popular today; what it lacks in polished reverberations it makes up with in your face, bare-knuckle intensity.

On the other corner is the T7’s real mortal enemy: Bangs & Olufsen’s Beoplay A2. Also an aristocrat, the A2 ($400) is slightly bigger, betterlooking and boasts some mean audiophile swish; the Danish speaker is equally matched with the T7.

It would seem like the small but plucky T7 is down for the count, clobbered from both ends by the more plebian but powerful British bruiser and the highborn Danish rival.

Not so fast.

The T7 may just have a couple of 2-inch drivers (speakers for those of you who are not Euroweenies) on the sides and a radiator bass in the middle, but the little bluetooth player punches way above its weight class.

If the T7 were a boxer, it would be a young Manny Pacquiao.

I tested the T7 for several weeks, making sure that I left it playing for over ten hours to let the speakers expand and reach their full potential (this practice is a must for any speaker). For music, I used and Ipod, connecting it directly from its AUX insert via a cable instead of employing the bluetooth system, which functions wirelessly and once the T7 is charged, can give up to 18 hours of normal listening levels and can be played anywhere without the need of being hooked up.

Using only 320 bit music recorded straight from original CDs (which is the least that should be done, preferably using losseless files recorded from genuine CDs or from higher grade DAT tapes), I tested the T7. Ah, the little speaker did not disappoint.

Lola Beltran, Amalia Hernández, Lucha Villa and Juan Gabriel sounded, well, spectacular in Obertura Mexicana in Las Tres Señoras, as I could perceive practically every instrument of

Inolvidable.

Without being ear piercing, the T7’s managed to fill my living room quite nicely, making me ask myself when our next door neighbor was going to complain about the noise? He didn’t, perhaps seduced by the sounds.

From classical music, Hispanic 80s stars and baladistas (think Rocío THE BOWERS & WILKINS T7 HAS A COUPLE OF TWO-INCH Durcal, Miguel Bosé) SPEAKERS AND A RADIATOR BASS. to ranchero crooners like Pepe Aguilar, the T7 took them all and asked for more, delivering crisp highs and some warmth lacking in lesser speakers (though the T7’s lows could have been better). I also tested it by tuning the speakers via an AUX cable into my old analog 13 inch Emerson TV/ VCR combo, where through a connected DVD player it made The Hunger Games: Mockinjay Part 1 sound satiating.

There’s no denying the T7 carries true audiophile sound. The team from Bowers & Wilkins came through, trickling down their mastery, relentless passion and technical savvy into their smallest creation yet.

Granted, it’s not as loud as the Stanmore, but it is more portable and it has enough punch to bring life to a small pool or beach party.

The A2 may be as handy as the Bowers speaker, with equivalent cachet and daintier, but while the Bangs & Olufsen speakers seduce you with feminine beauty, the T7, with its honeycomb mesh and dark good looks carries itself better in a more virile panache (think Pierce Brosnan playing Remington Steele or James Bond).

For its $349 asking price, the T7 is a bargain. You can really take your music wherever you want and enjoy it. At home it will not substitute a classy, dedicated sound system, but if you live in an apartment or small house, it will do the job without making you feel want for more.

As for the question of whether the T7 has enough depth and charm to become the new high-grade boombox or transistor radio of its age, the answer is, yes. Will it become that?

It remains to be seen. But to quote George Michael in Freedom 90 , “I won’t let you down/I will not give you up/gotta have some faith in the sound/it’s the one good thing that I’ve got/I won’t let you down/so please don’t give me up/because I would really, really love to stick around/Oh yeah!”

THE BOWERS & WILKINS T7. IMPRESSIVE FROM ANY ANGLE.

LATINO LEADERS @JFerraez_Latino

AUSSIE, FRENCH AND NAPA SURPRISES

O

NE OF THE WINES that blows my mind is Australian Cabernet. Although I need to recognize that Shiraz is the icon varietal, they made probably the best Shiraz and Shiraz blends in the world. I know many French wine lovers will fight me on this, arguing the amazing wines produced in Cote Rotie, Hermitage or Chateneuf-du-Pape on the French Rohne valleys.

But who ever has tasted a good quality Shiraz from Australia will concede they have rightfully made this varietal their own. However, my favorite Aussie is the Cabernet and with that in mind I put together a tasting with some wine friends.

One that impressed me the most was The Penfold’s Bin 707 1991: what a fantastic wine in its peak.

Impressive perfumed, spice, round and perfect balance with cedar box, black currant and forest notes. Silky and unforgettable!

We all fell for this wine, but as impressive as this was a Cabernet Sauvignon from Clarendon Hills “Sandown” vineyard 1998. Lovely fruit, cassis, silky and just the right amount of spiciness, still powerful and concentrated but elegant and subtle at the same time.

Fairly easy to find wines, I invite you to organize your own tasting, asking everybody to bring their favorite bottle and talk about it while the group tastes.

A fantastic way to know new wines!

“I invite you to organize your own tasting, asking everybody to bring their favorite bottle and talk about it while the group tastes. A fantastic way to know new wines!”

64 • June 2015

CELLAR

Molly Dooker “Carnival of Love” 2009 (got it at Costco) Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia Varietal: Shiraz Price: $78 Aromas: Red ripe fruit, plum Flavors: leather, minty, blue berries Impression: Spectacular!

Structure: Concentrated, tanic Drink with: New York Strip, Aged Lamb Chops Why I loved this wine? Fabulous fruitiness in a balanced act My Rating: 96 pts.

Domaine Joblot GIVRY 1er Cru Clos du Celliers Aux Moines 2010 (I got it at The Burgundy Wine Company, New York) Region: Burgundy Varietal: Pinot Noir Price: $56 Aromas: Cherry, Red Currant, floral Flavors: Spice, Dates Impression: Lively character, expressive, ample Structure: Medium Body Drink with: French Provance food: a rotissiere duck or chicken Why I loved this wine? Is delicate and silky, and with great personality My Rating: 94 pts.

Renteria Chardonnay 2013 Los Carneros (sent by the winery for its analysis) Region: Carneros, Napa Valley, CA Varietal: Chardonnay Price: $ 38 Aromas: Butterscotch, pineapple, vanilla Flavors: tropical fruit, passion fruit, citric Impression: Well rounded Structure: Balanced, medium body, easy to drink Drink with: Salmon, raw like in sushi or grilled with herb butter Why I loved this wine? Fresh and nice My Rating: 93 pts.