The Hispanic Business Corporate Elite Directory started in 1989 with 48 names. As corporations simultaneously recognized the talent pool of Hispanic recruits and the market potential of Hispanic consumers, the number of names multiplied. It reached a high-water mark in 2002 with a total of 928 high-ranking Hispanics in Corporate America.
The growth of the Corporate Elite testified to the increasing presence of Hispanics inside corporations. But the original purpose of the list was to gauge the influence of Hispanics in decision-making at large for-profit organizations.
The Most Dynamic
In keeping with that objective, Hispanic Business has reduced the size of the list by raising the bar – on the size of the corporations for consideration, on the job titles that qualify individuals for the list, and on the impact of nominated executives' current accomplishments. Additionally, each year we place a heavy emphasis on identifying top leaders in a currently dynamic industry sector.
This year's Corporate Elite directory contains only 20 executives, five fewer than in 2005. But these managers wield tremendous influence, truly deserving of the title "Elite." They represent the vanguard of an expanding cadre of Hispanic managerial talent.
Health Sector Focus
The industry focus of the 2006 directory is on the intertwined healthcare and pharmaceuticals industries; two corporate sectors generally considered lacking in diversity, but economically and politically crucial. Only eight executives from these industries appear among the 20 Corporate Elite, highlighting the importance of these leaders as pioneers in an expanding sector of the economy.
Outside of healthcare and pharmaceuticals, the 2006 Corporate Elite has solid representation in the consumer goods sector (four executives), financial services (three), and technology (three). Retail and automotive each account for one executive, to round out the list.
Corporate Elite Nomination Requirements
To qualify for nomination for the Corporate Elite, the person must be a Hispanic U.S. citizen with the title of chairman, company president, CEO, CFO, COO, CIO (chief information officer), CTO (technology), CSO (strategy), chief economist, head of marketing, or selected division presidents and vice-presidents (senior and executive VPs only) of a Fortune 500 or other large, publicly traded company. Nominations for the list were taken throughout the year by HispanTelligence®, the research arm of Hispanic Business. Nominations for the 2007 listing may be submitted to research@hbinc.com
Nominations for the 2007 Corporate Elite may be submitted to research@hbinc.com or on the Web at www.hispanicbusiness.com/research/forms.asp
Tony Alvarez
Vice-President, Commercial Operations
Schering-Plough Japan
Tony Alvarez is responsible for commercial activities supporting Schering-Plough's pharmaceutical business in Japan (Schering-Plough Kabushiki Kaisha). He was appointed to this newly created position in September 2005 after serving as vice-president of global business planning and services since 2003. Formerly with Pharmacia Corporation (and its predecessor companies Pharmacia & Upjohn and the Upjohn Company), he headed global business planning and operations, served as country manager for Central America, and headed regional marketing, training, and operations for Latin America and Asia Pacific. He holds a bachelor's degree in pharmacy from St. John's University, New York.
