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Coming Events
September 16
" Wichita's Economic Horizon"
Presented by
The Honorable Mayor Carl Brewer
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Newman University, Library Ballroom
October 21
" Finance and Accounting Reporting Issues for Small Business"
Presented by Albert Denny, CPA of Regier Carr & Monroe LLP
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
University of Phoenix, Room 102
November 18
" Moving Into Management: Workforce Development and Professional Growth"
Presented by
Jim Garner, Kansas Secretary of Labor
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Wichita Botanica-Terrace Room
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Cutting Edge Features
U.S. Hispanics are younger than any other group and are the most intensive users (12% more than whites) of cutting edge features such as color screens, Bluetooth headsets, and hi-end camera phones—Hispanidad Quarterly Newsletter
Spanish-Speaking Job Candidates Needed
A recent survey of U.S. hiring managers by empleosCB.com, found that 48% of companies are currently seeking Spanish-speaking job candidates—Hispanic Magazine
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THANK YOU
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BANK OF THE WEST
CARGILL MEAT SOLUTIONS
CORNEJO AND SONS, INC.
SOUTHWEST NATIONAL BANK
CONCO, INC.
INTRUST BANK
THE LDF COMPANIES
REGIER CARR & MONROE LLP
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First-Time Homebuyers
Hispanics are expected to drive the first-time homebuyer market in the coming decade. They will represent as much as 40 percent of all new homeowners.—Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies
According to the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute, Latino voter turnout in the U.S. has increased from just over 2 million in 2002 to just over 7.5 million in 2004—ushli.org
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August 2008
U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Leader
Augustine Martinez to Speak at August Meeting
Augustine Martinez, president and chief executive officer of the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, will be the featured speaker for the August Meeting of the Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
Martinez will speak on “Preparing the Hispanic Community to Assume Leadership Roles in Business, Education, Medicine, Law and Politics” on August 19. The meeting is scheduled from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at Botanica, The Wichita Gardens--Terrace Room, 701 Amidon.
Registration fee is $7 for members and $15 for non-members. Deadline to register is Friday, August 15.
Martinez took office in February 2008. He is the organization’s first president to also serve as general manager of its television show, “Hispanics Today.” He is a 30-year award-winning television executive. As vice president of Network Strategy and Community Relations for Telemundo, he developed and managed community relations strategies with national organizations including the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Congressional Hispanic Institute.
As a strategist, he has served in key positions with Univision, CBS and Fox to develop and implement market strategies to increase growth in revenue and viewership. As Eastern Region vice president for Univision, he launched the network’s first Spanish language owned and operated television station in the tri-state Philadelphia market which became the top Spanish language medium in that area in less than two years. He also managed Univision Joint Sales Agreements with its largest affiliated stations in Boston, Cleveland, Orlando, Tampa and Washington, D.C.
He has produced award-winning programs and directed television specials on the “Road to Citizenship” and “Get Out the Vote” which have received praise from national and local community organizations. Among his numerous awards for his work is the Los Angeles Emmy Award for “Best 30 News Broadcast.”
Martinez also has served on numerous boards, including the National Association Television Arts and Sciences and the historic Los Angeles Plaza de la Raza. He has also served with the Latino Business Association, Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Mexican American Legal, Defense and Educational Fund of Los Angeles.
Thank You—Central Star Credit Union, Clear Speech Specialist, Inc, and Sedgwick County— for your support of this event!
Click Here to Register
North High Graduate Victor Cabrales Receives
Complete Landscaping Systems/WHCC Scholarship
WHCC has managed to award a third scholarship this year to North High School graduate Victor Cabrales.
There were five scholarship finalists for the WHCC 2008 Scholarship. At the announcement of the initial scholarship winner, the WHCC Scholarship Committee pledged to attempt to find funds for all five of the finalists.
Through the generosity of Peter Salmeron, owner and president of Complete Landscaping Systems, Inc., Cabrales will attend Butler Community College to work towards an associate degree in Auto Technology.
The Complete Landscaping Systems/WHCC Scholarship will enable Cabral to pursue his dream. “I love working on cars,” he says of his passion. “I love working and not sitting.” The scholarship will provide him with $1,000 for four years to achieve his studies.
He is the son of a single parent mother, who works two jobs to support two sons and two daughters. Victor has worked from 6 p.m. to midnight five days a week even while in high school to financially help his family.
Unfortunately, his uncles have been advising him to go straight to work and forget about college.
“Their negativity fuels my motivation,” he says. “I know this will only make me stronger and has also made me grow as a person.”
Salmeron Issues Challenge
"Give Back to Others" With Scholarship
Peter Salmeron, who came to the U.S. from his native Peru to further his education, attended Wichita State University where he studied liberal arts and graduated from the University of Kansas with a Bachelor of Science degree in microbiology.
That education helped him achieve his now 26 years of experience as owner of Complete Landscaping Systems, Inc., one of the leading companies in the Midwest with residential, commercial and government accounts across the state of Kansas.
Now he wants to “give back” to others through the creation of the Complete Landscaping/WHCC Scholarship recently created and awarded to North High student Victor Cabrales.
Salmeron says that by funding this scholarship, “it allows us to give back to our community and, in particular, to open more doors to more Hispanics with higher education. We are very thankful to be able to have this opportunity to help.”
More importantly, Salmeron issued a challenge to other businesses and WHCC members. “I am a little guy and I am putting up $1,000 per year for this scholarship. “Bigger companies should be able to afford to at least do that much.”
He has been a past chairman of the executive board of the Wichita Chamber of Commerce. Currently, he is president of Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, and serves on the boards of Via Christi Foundation, Salvation Army and the Wichita Executive Association.
WHCC Education Chairman, Craig Sisneros extended the committee’s appreciation to Salmeron for creating the scholarship and the opportunity for yet another Hispanic student to get an education.
“If we can get two more individuals or companies to do the same, we will be able to provide scholarship assistance to the two other North High scholarship finalists – Aracely Moreno, who seeks an education in criminal justice and social work, and Victor Villanueva, who is interested in graphic arts.
Any takers to the Salmeron challenge are invited to contact Sisneros at 978-5393, or at craig.sisneros@wichita.edu.
Golf Tournament a Huge Success
"On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, THANK YOU for your support and participation in the WHCC Third Annual Golf Tournament," said Dr. Phil Orlando, chairman of the event.
"The tournament held July 23rd at Braeburn Golf Course was a huge success—thanks to the wonderful weather, the generous sponsors, donors, players, and volunteers who shared their resources, time and talent," said Orlando, "Congratulations to all our contest winners."
First Flight Winners
1st Place—Conco, Inc. and Hyatt Regency Wichita
2nd Place—WSU Athletics
3rd Place—Fidelity Bank
Second Flight Winners
1st Place—AT&T
2nd Place—Cox Business
3rd Place—Aztec Building Maintenance & SW Paper Company
Individual Prize Winners
Longest Drive—Saad Ethisham, Via Christi Wichita Health
Closest to Pin—Dale Goter, City of Wichita
Longest Putt—Steve Mellinger, Cargill Meat Solutions
"Without our sponsors, our members and the business community, the fundraiser could not have been possible—and for that, we are truly appreciative," added Orlando. "We look forward to seeing all of you next year!"
Chamber Adds New Member
Among WHCC’s newest members is the American Lung Association of the Central States that will be represented by Diane Tinker, development director.
The Central States organization was created in 2006, but the Kansas branch of the association has existed since 1908.The organization has one local employee in Wichita, but over 70 in its six chapters across the state.
Mission of the association is to prevent lung disease and to promote long lung health through cures, clean air and smoke-free kids. Its special emphasis areas are asthma, tobacco control and environmental health.
Kudos to WHCC Members
The City of Wichita received the 2008 Outstanding Engineering Achievement award for the design and construction of two pedestrian bridges over the Arkansas and Little Arkansas rivers. The award was given by the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers.
Cargill Meat Solutions has earned certification from an international organization, International Organization for Standardization, based in Geneva, which sets standards for environmental management.
| Executive Director's Corner
Third Annual Golf Tournament
If you missed the WHCC Third Annual Golf Tournament on July 23, you missed a GREAT TIME! The well-attended event brought almost 70 players together to have fun and network with each other.
Early at 6 am the volunteers arrived to begin to set up the tables, signs and sort out the wonderful prizes that later would be awarded to all teams and their players. At 7 am, the breakfast arrived from our dear friends over at Jason’s Deli and many individuals began to gather for this annual event. Shirts and goodie bags were given to all players. Each player looked eager to begin his/her quest of the Braeburn green and soon the carts were assigned and teams were on their way to an exciting day of golf.
We had around 40 businesses that donated prizes for the players’ goodie bags. We had nine tee box sponsors who made remarkable contributions and of course, we had our faithful Corporate Partners who sponsored categories such as hospitality, polo shirts, and awards, and the beverage cart.
I would like to send a “BIG THANK YOU” to all the volunteers, players and sponsors who made this tournament a success. I personally would like to thank Irma Luna for coordinating such an endeavor and for her dedication to making this a wonderful and successful Chamber event.
I do hope you will participate in our 2009 golf tournament and come away with a new connection not only to the Chamber, but also to other Chamber supporters.
Abel M. Perez
Executive Director
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Corporate Partners
The Chamber appreciates the considerable support of our corporate partners. Their commitment is essential in helping the Chamber to grow and to better serve its members.
Several corporate partnership opportunities are available, each with additional branding opportunities for specific Chamber events, or year-round benefits.
Click Here to Learn About Corporate Partner Benefits
Get Involved - We need Your Help!
WHCC is OUR organization—yours and ours!
To make it work, we need you to play an important role as a volunteer. We always need volunteers to serve on committees, or to accomplish other distinct tasks. If you’ve got special expertise we might be able to use, please let us know about those talents and we’ll put them to work.
It takes all of us—together to build a better organization, one that is responsive to the needs of its members and the growth of Hispanic business in Wichita. Join us!
Click Here to Sign Up for a Committee
Standing Committees
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Communications
Chair, Jeanne Mendoza
260-7351
Fourth Wednesday of each month
12:00-1:00 PM
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Economic Development
Chair, Irene Hart
660-9863
Fourth Friday of each month
12:00 PM to 1:00 PM
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Education
Chair, Dr. Craig Sisneros
978-5393
First Thursday of each month
11:30 PM to 12:30 PM
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Program and Events
Chair, Dr. Phil Orlando
630-8121
First Wednesday of each month
12:00-1:00 PM
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Board of Directors
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Mael Hernandez
Chair
FlipperSiteDeveloper
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Trinidad Galdean
Chair-Elect
Kutak Rock LLP
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Dr. Phil Orlando
Vice Chair
University of Phoenix
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Gary Freeman
Treasurer
Regier Carr & Monroe LLP
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Roger Pflughoeft
Secretary
Bank of the West
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Tony Madrigal
Madrigal & Welch
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Jeanne Mendoza
Cox Business
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Gilberto Oliva
Southwest National Bank
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Charles Rivera
New York Life
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Dr. Craig Sisneros
Wichita State University
W. Frank Barton School of Business-WSU
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CONTACT US
Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce,Inc.
1150 N. Broadway, Suite 700
Wichita, KS 67214-2805
Tel 316-265-6334
Fax 316-462-5599
www.wichitahispanicchamber.org
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