Goya Foods & the Spain-U.S. Chamber of Commerce Announce Annual Goya Hispanic Achievement Award For Excellence in Business, Arts, Science, & Social Responsibility

USA - English

• Latin America - español

NEW YORK, Jan. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Goya Foods, the largest Hispanic-owned food company and the Spain-U.S. Chamber of Commerce celebrated the first annual Goya Hispanic Achievement Award to distinguish a Hispanic leader or organization in the fields of business, arts, science and social responsibility.  The award was presented to Jorge A. Plasencia at an exclusive gala dinner at the New York City Public Library, attended by more than 250 guests.

Jorge A. Plasencia is considered one of the foremost experts in reaching the burgeoning multicultural majority in the United States, with a celebrated career that spans over two decades of pioneering success in media, marketing, entertainment and professional sports.

Jorge has also coupled his keen business sense with a passion for giving back to the community.  Most recently, Jorge was elected Chairman of the Board of the National Council of La Raza, the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States.  In 1991, while still a teenager, Jorge cofounded Amigos For Kids, a non-profit organization supporting underprivileged children and families that he has since nurtured into an institution of national prominence. His work with Amigos For Kids has earned him the March of Dimes' Humanitarian of the Year award, among others. 

The Goya Hispanic Achievement Award was established to demonstrate Goya's continued dedication and efforts to support and honor the success and accomplishments of the Hispanic community.  "We established The Goya Hispanic Achievement Award to celebrate our heritage and the success of the Latin community," said Bob Unanue, President of Goya Foods during the gala.  "We wanted to highlight and commend an individual like Jorge Plasencia, who symbolizes and embodies the characteristics and qualities of an outstanding leader."

As a widely recognized Hispanic leader for its contributions to advancing the social, business and political objectives of the Hispanic community, Goya has uniquely impacted the food industry with its innovative work for over 75 years.  "We are truly honored to host and organize this prestigious event for one of our founding members," Xavier Ruiz, President of the Spain - U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said about this celebration. Goya Foods is a founding member of the Spain - U.S. Chamber of Commerce and has fully supported the organization's outstanding work since 1959.

About GOYA: Founded in 1936, Goya Foods, Inc. is America's largest Hispanic-owned food company, and has established itself as the leader in Latin American food and condiments. Goya manufactures packages and distributes over 2,200 high-quality food products from the Caribbean, Mexico, Central and South America. Goya products have their roots in the culinary traditions of Hispanic communities around the world; their combination of authentic ingredients, robust seasonings and convenient preparation make them ideal for every taste and every table. For more information on Goya Foods, please visit www.goya.com

About the Spain - U.S. Chamber of Commerce: Founded in New York in 1959, the Spain-U.S. Chamber of Commerce fosters the economic ties between Spain and the United States and has grown to become one of the leading transatlantic business organizations.  The Chamber is a private, not-for-profit, membership institution that represents the interests of companies that have established, or are interested in establishing business and commercial relations between these two countries.  We provide our members with access to practical, measurable business expansion opportunities by delivering high-caliber networking and targeted marketing platforms and events, as well as top-quality business intelligence and regulatory advice and influence. It also provides a forum in which Spanish business executives in the United States and American business executives with Spanish interests may identify, discuss and pursue common interests and opportunities regarding their activities.  For more information on the Chamber, please visit www.spainuscc.org

Press Contact:
Natalie Maniscalco
845.659.6506
[email protected]

SOURCE Goya Foods