HispanicBusiness

Felix Sanchez President & COO ORION International Technologies Albuquerque, NM Mr. Sanchez was instrumental in the company attaining the Software Engineering Institute’s level 3 ranking, considered a strong proactive phase based on a 1 to 5 maturity gauge. Less than 2 percent of all the software companies have obtained the same recognition. SEI is a federally funded research center sponsored by the Defense Department. The company also won the Small Business Administration’s 1999 National Small Business Prime Contractor of the Year award.



Raymond G. Sanchez Speaker, New Mexico House of Representatives President, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Albuquerque, NM Mr. Sanchez is in his second term as president of NALEO. As a state legislator, he has helped set standards and accountability measures to ensure at-risk children receive a good education. He also supported legislation to allocate $6 million in training funds for new and expanding businesses. And he currently serves on more than 15 board of directors for local and national associations.



Alberto Sanchez Banard CFO Eritmo.com Miami, FL Mr. Banard heads an international Latin music Web site, which launched in September 1999. He joined the Internet company after working more than 20 years for leading international financial institutions, such as InterUnion Bank, Continental Bank, Cisneros Group, and Banco Mercantil. Eritmo.com is trying to build the industry’s most experienced Latin management team. He holds a master’s degree in business administration, and he is fluent in English, Spanish, and Japanese.



Debra Sanchez Fair Vice President, Corporate Communications Nissan North America Mission Viejo, CA Ms. Fair oversees a staff of 23 people in the corporate communications division. Her duties include developing positions on diversity, litigation, and financial and manufacturing news. She’s also chief public relations counsel to Nissan’s legal department, and she provides communications support to the company’s sales, marketing, and distribution units.



Carlos Santana Musician San Francisco, CA Mr. Santana won 9 Grammys for his Supernatural album at the 42nd Grammy Awards in February. The album has sold more than 13 million copies. His single, “Smooth,” was number 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for 12 consecutive weeks, the longest of any single in 1999. He was inducted in 1998 into the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall Of Fame. His music spans five decades and he has been immortalized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.



Jose Serrano Representative, D-NY U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC Mr. Serrano successfully fought to improve legal services for the poor in the United States by introducing a funding boost for Legal Services Corp. In June, the House Appropriations Subcommittee approved a $134 million increase, boosting the agency’s budget to $275 million. He also sponsored legislation to lift the embargo on the sale of food and medicine to Cuba, which has been co-sponsored by 167 representatives from both parties.



Aliza Pilar Sherman Founder Eviva.net New York, NY Ms. Sherman’s Web site provides support and resources to help Hispanic women succeed in their careers. She is also responsible for establishing the first woman-owned Internet marketing company in 1995. And she has written two books, including her latest, Cybergirl@Work: Tips and Inspiration for the Professional You. It is due out in January. She also freelances for several publications.