The Latino Coalition-Job Creators Network Hispanic Heritage Month Power Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony Recognizes Business Leaders as Driving Force of Economy

WASHINGTON, Oct. 4, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Latino Coalition (TLC), the leading, national non-partisan advocacy organization representing Hispanic businesses and consumers, and the small business advocacy group Job Creators Network (JCN), hosted the Hispanic Heritage Month Power Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony at the Renaissance Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Bringing together over 200 guests, the exciting event celebrated the many contributions of the Hispanic community to this nation's job creation and economic growth.  The night focused on how economic opportunity is paramount to achieving the American Dream, and the Latino community is filled with these success stories.

"The entrepreneurial community represents the best of America— dynamic, hardworking and hopeful," said Hector Barreto, TLC's Chairman and former U.S. Small Business Administrator.  "The Hispanic Heritage Month Power Gala is our way of honoring and paying tribute to outstanding individuals and extraordinary Latino executives that have made a significant impact in the development of free enterprise and our community.  All these recipients embody integrity and unparalleled leadership in business and that is to be celebrated!"

The Latino Coalition Awards recognized national and international pioneers who have created businesses that have helped shape our economy.  The accolades were bestowed to innovative Hispanic-Americans, from a wide array of public and private entities, industries and geographic regions.  The prestigious honors included:

The Latino Coalition Leadership Award (Private Sector): Gaddi H. Vasquez, Senior VP of Government Affairs, Southern California Edison;
The Latino Coalition Leadership Award (Public Sector): Geronimo Gutierrez, Ambassador of Mexico to the United States;
The Latino Coalition Ganas Award: Pepe Estrada, Director, Public Affairs, Walmart;
The Latino Coalition Lifetime Achievement Award "Tributo": Bernie Marcus, Chairman of the Marcus Foundation, retired Co-Founder of The Home Depot and the co-founder of The Job Creators Network;
The Latino Coalition Sanchez to Sanchez to Smith Award: Marcelo Ebrard, Designated Secretary of Foreign Relations of Mexico by President Elect Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador;
The Latino Coalition Mexico Leadership Award: Luis Maldonado Venegas, President of the National Academy of History and Geography of Mexico.

Job Creators Network, the small business public policy advocacy group, also honored two strong voices in the entrepreneurial community for personifying an outstanding commitment to advancing business enterprises and championing job creation.  JCN's esteemed awards included:

Bernie Marcus Entrepreneurial Award: Joseph Semprevivo, President & CEO, Joseph's Lite Cookies;
Job Creators Network Small Business Defender Award: Stephen Moore, Fellow at The Heritage Foundation.

"Great and inspiring Latino entrepreneurs and advocates deserve recognition for advancing Hispanic economic power and innovation," Alfredo Ortiz, president and CEO of The Job Creators Network said.  "And the JCN awards are a token of appreciation for the leadership and determination these individuals exemplify daily. Congratulations to two tireless and inspiring champions within America's small business community."

Barreto said: "Tonight, proves the Hispanic community's power is real, and its rising.  Both of our organizations— The Latino Coalition and Job Creators Network— are deeply vested in helping the movers and shakers of this nation grow and advance.  Their impact is praiseworthy because they are the foundation of America's economic success."

Entertainment for the Hispanic Heritage Month Power Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony included renowned Mexican singer and actor, Fernando Allende and Musician and Founder of the Commodores, Thomas McClary. 

The Latino Coalition would like to thank the following Platinum Partner: Wells Fargo.  Gold Partners: Fundación Educación por la Experiencia, A.C. and The Latino Coalition Foundation.  Silver Partners: Google, Hispanic Business Roundtable Institute, Littler Mendelson, Southern California Edison, The Coca Cola Company and Trans Canada.  Bronze Partners: AltaMed, California Resource Corporation, Direct Selling Association, ECCO Select, Microsoft, Project Education, Shoprite and Univision.

ABOUT THE LATINO COALITION- The Latino Coalition (TLC) was founded in 1995 by a group of Hispanic business owners from across the country to research and develop policies solutions relevant to Latinos.  TLC is a non-profit nationwide organization with offices in California, Washington, DC and Guadalajara, Mexico.  Established to address and engage on key issues that directly affect the well-being of Hispanics in the United States, TLC's agenda is to create and promote initiatives and partnerships that will foster economic equivalency and enhance and empower overall business, economic and social development for Latinos.  Visit www.thelatinocoalition.com or follow us at #TLCsummit.

ABOUT JOB CREATORS NETWORK- The Job Creators Network was founded by Home Depot Co-Founder Bernie Marcus, who believes that the best way to ensure good government policies is to have a well-educated public.  JCN is a national, nonpartisan advocacy and education group for small business owners.  As the Voice of Main Street, JCN speaks for the country's 30-million small business owners on important policy issues, and it provides educational materials to millions of employees through its various platforms and partnerships.  Visit www.jobcreatorsnetwork.com.

SOURCE The Latino Coalition

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