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About Us
The Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Inc., (WHCC) is a volunteer membership-driven organization comprised of individuals, small business owners, corporate representatives, and associates representing various non-profit organizations.
In March 2002, Hispanic business leaders gathered and created the Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (WHCC). These Hispanic business leaders envisioned the need for an organization to represent their interests and meet the needs of the Hispanic business community. The WHCC was incorporated later that year, creating a coherent and strong organization within the Wichita Hispanic business community. WHCC was incorporated with the Kansas Secretary of State’s office in April 2002 and was established in June 2002 as Wichita's first minority Chamber of Commerce.
Our Vision
To provide value to the Hispanic and general business communities by fostering mutually-beneficial communication, education and relationships.
Our Mission
The Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to creating, advancing, promoting, and developing economic opportunities within the Hispanic market and business community. The mission of the WHCC is to provide leadership, which promotes economic growth, and professional development.
Meet The Board of Directors
The Wichita Hispanic Committee is governed by a volunteer, unpaid Board of Directors.
Gary Torres
Chair
Gary Torres is a second-generation Mexican American from Emporia, Kansas, and a December 1979 graduate of Emporia State University. Gary moved to Wichita in 1980 for an oil accounting job and spent 16 years at Koch Industries. For the past 27 years he has worked in the credit union industry and currently serves as Vice President-Market Executive at Quantum Credit Union. Gary aims to use his career connections to support the Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in fostering economic opportunities for the Hispanic community.
Marixendra Alvarez
Vice Chair
Marixendra Alvarez, Founder and CEO of CJS Translation Services, LLC, which provides translation and interpretation services in 100+ languages across Kansas. She is an entrepreneur, educator, and advocate. She is dedicated to serving the Hispanic community.
Marixendra is Vice President of the Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and sits on the boards of
Wichita Area Sister Cities and La Familia Senior Center. As Co-Chair of the Kansas Health Worker
Coalition, she advances community health.
Passionate about youth empowerment, Marixendra advises the Friends-HALO program, connects
organizations with Spanish-speaking families, and promotes cultural awareness through different
community events or initiatives.
A devoted mother of three, she strives to build a legacy of service, connection, and opportunity.
Blanca Salazar
Treasurer
Blanca Salazar is the Vice President of Southwest National Bank. She has been involved in the Hispanic Community for over 22 years. She currently serves on three boards. The Chamber, Fiesta Del Rio and at her church. She loves to see people be successful.
She brings a lot of experience, she is self-motivated, reliable, responsible and hardworking person.
Blanca’s daily inspiration is God and her children.
Angie Urbina
Secretary
Angie Urbina is a dedicated realtor and owner of Faith Real Estate, specializing in buying and selling homes. With a strong commitment to building relationships, Angie focuses on serving the Hispanic and Latino community, reflecting her passion for
community engagement. In her free time, she volunteers at her church and participates actively in local initiatives. Angie also serves as the secretary of the Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and mentors students in the Latino Leadership Program at Friends University.
A proud mother, wife, and grandmother, she balances her professional and personal life with a heartfelt commitment to her community.
Ana Lopez
Board Member
Ana Lopez serves as the Community Service Representative for District 6 with the City of Wichita, where she works to strengthen neighborhoods through collaboration, equity, and civic engagement. Based at the Evergreen Community Center & Library, she connects residents to city resources and helps amplify the voices of underrepresented communities.
As a board member of the Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Salud + Bienestar, Ana champions initiatives that promote inclusion, support Hispanic-owned businesses, and foster partnerships that drive meaningful progress across Wichita.
Deeply rooted in family and culture, Ana draws inspiration from her husband, children, and community, staying grounded in the values that strengthen and celebrate Wichita’s rich cultural fabric.
Gisela Peña
Board Member
Bio to come
Jerry Smartt Ph.D
Board Member
Dr. Jerry Smartt is a distinguished professor of Spanish and the Director of Foreign Languages at Friends University, where she has taught since 1975. With multiple advanced degrees (M.Ed., M.A., Ph.D.) from Wichita State University, as well as additional study at the Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey (Mexico) and the University of Madrid, she brings deep scholarly expertise to her role.
Throughout her career, Dr. Smartt has passionately advocated for language education, multicultural engagement, and leadership among Hispanic and Latino communities. She is the founder of the Latino Leadership program at Friends University; a mentorship and scholarship initiative launched in 2017 to empower Hispanic/Latino students in higher education.
As a board member of the Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Dr. Smartt brings to the table her academic leadership, community engagement, and a lifelong dedication to strengthening cultural understanding and economic opportunity. Her presence underscores the Chamber’s commitment to education, bilingualism, and inclusive growth.
Jim Howell
Board Member
Jim Howell serves on the Board of Directors for the Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, bringing a deep commitment to community engagement, economic development, and inclusive leadership. A lifelong Kansan and respected public servant, Jim has extensive experience in local government, having served as a Sedgwick County Commissioner and in the Kansas House of Representatives.
With a strong background in public policy, business advocacy, and civic involvement, Jim supports the Chamber’s mission to empower Hispanic-owned businesses and advance opportunities for economic growth across the Wichita region. His collaborative leadership style and dedication to service continue to strengthen partnerships between the public sector and the diverse business community.
Jim is passionate about building bridges across cultural and economic lines and is proud to support initiatives that celebrate Hispanic heritage and entrepreneurship.
Marisol Garcia
Board Member
Bio to come
Adam Mettler
Board Member
Returning to the Wind Surge in 2023 after 2 years in professional rugby with the Houston SaberCats. 12 years in Minor League Baseball with stops with the Fort Wayne TinCaps, Mobile BayBears, and Sugar Land Skeeters. With the Wind Surge during the building of Riverfront Stadium from 2019-2021 and looking forward to finally seeing Riverfront Stadium with fans in the stands. Originally from Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Edia Gonzalez
Board Member
Moved to Wichita from Mexico in 2001 and have worked in banking for over 11 years. Currently serves as a Consumer Banking Sales Officer at Fidelity Bank, focusing on personal and second mortgage loans. Her professional path has been shaped by both personal experience and a strong commitment to serving the Hispanic community.
As an immigrant who lived without legal status until age 23, she understands the challenges many in our community face when pursuing education and financial stability. While attending Wichita State University, she was involved with the Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HALO) and served as an ambassador for the Office of Multicultural Affairs. Her passion for service led her to volunteer as a translator for a criminal attorney and at The Treehouse, supporting families in need. Today, she continues that commitment through active involvement with Empower, HIRE, and the Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce—efforts that promote equity, education, and opportunity for underserved communities.
She is a self-motivated, reliable, and hardworking professional who values community engagement. As a wife and mother of two boys, she also enjoys spending time with her family outdoors.
Caroline Martinez
Board Member
Caroline Martinez is a Certified Public Accountant with nearly a decade of experience in tax
preparation services. Throughout her career, she has served individuals, corporations, and
small businesses, earning a reputation for being hardworking, dependable, and committed
to excellence in every engagement.
A lifelong resident of Wichita, Kansas, Caroline is a proud alumnus of Wichita State
University, where she earned dual degrees in Spanish and Accounting. She is fluent in
reading and writing Spanish and conversational in speaking, skills that further strengthen
her ability to serve the Hispanic community.
Her family heritage is rooted in Mexico through her father’s side, and her husband’s journey
to U.S. citizenship has deepened her appreciation and understanding of the immigrant
experience. These personal ties inspire her dedication to supporting the Hispanic
community and advocating for greater opportunities.
As a board member of the Wichita Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Caroline is committed
to advancing the Chamber’s mission of providing leadership, promoting economic growth,
and supporting professional development within the Hispanic market and business
community.
Outside of her professional work, Caroline enjoys playing the piano, traveling, and spending
time with friends and family.
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