USHCC Applauds AT&T's Commitment to Hispanic Inclusion

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• Latin America - español

WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) recognizes AT&T, which earned the highest rating from the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) 2011 Corporate Inclusion Index. The index rates Hispanic diversity and inclusion practices in the areas of workforce, procurement, philanthropy and governance.  AT&T was one of only two companies – and the only telecommunications company nationwide – to receive a 95 rating, the highest in HACR's index this year.

"AT&T's exemplary commitment to promoting diverse talent within their corporate structure, with a governing team that includes both a Hispanic CEO and a Hispanic board member, shows they understand the Hispanic community is critical to the continued success of our country as a competitive global power," says USHCC Chairman Nina Vaca.

Among AT&T's thousands of major suppliers worldwide are a number of America's leading Hispanic-owned companies and USHCC members, including: Argent & Associates, Group O, Pinnacle Technical Resources and MasTech, to name a few. In 2011, Argent & Associates and Pinnacle Technical Resources were two of only seven suppliers worldwide, to win the AT&T Global Supplier Award.

"This recognition of AT&T by HACR reaffirms the company's long standing position as a leader in diversity, especially as it relates to Hispanics," says USHCC President & CEO Javier Palomarez. "Our Hispanic Business Enterprises (HBEs) have experienced this firsthand, benefiting from procurement opportunities with AT&T. Once again, this company demonstrates that it not only does what is right, but understands that diversity is smart business, too."  

Palomarez points to the rising Hispanic population – now 16% of the U.S. population – an important statistic for corporations to keep in mind at a time when companies are being challenged to structure their leadership to reflect the wealth of diversity in America.

"The USHCC congratulates AT&T for making diversity a part of its best practices and we look forward to continued commitment in this important segment of the company's business strategy," adds Palomarez.

As a standing member of the Billion Dollar Roundtable, an accolade achieved by those spending over $1 billion with minority and woman-owned suppliers, AT&T's commitment to Hispanic diversity and inclusion also includes:

• A 12 percent representation of Hispanics in the AT&T workforce. 
• Award-winning Employee Resource Group, HACEMOS (the Hispanic/Latino Employee Association of AT&T).
• A top-rated global supplier diversity program that spent more than $9.2 billion with minority, women and disabled-veteran suppliers in 2010.
• Strong focus on the Hispanic Consumer Market, which includes converting more than 700 retail stores in high-density Hispanic markets including California, Florida, New York and Texas to a bilingual (Spanish/English) format.
• A strong advertising investment in Hispanic media.
• Support of the Hispanic community by investing resources to advance education, strengthen communities and improve lives. In 2010, AT&T contributed more than $148 million to the diverse communities it serves through corporate, employee and AT&T Foundation giving.
• Significant representation of Hispanics in the company's most senior ranks including Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets; Thaddeus Arroyo, chief information officer; Jose Gutierrez, president, advertising and publishing; Carmen Nava, senior vice president-Consumer Marketing; Angie Wiskocil, senior vice president, Wi-Fi services; and Jaime Chico Pardo, AT&T Board of Directors.

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of over 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States that combined generate in excess of $465 billion annually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for more than 200 local Hispanic chambers and business associations in the United States and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.ushcc.com.

SOURCE United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce