HispanicBusiness

Hilda Solis Senator, D-El Monte, CA California Senate Sacramento, CA In May, Ms. Solis became the first woman to be presented the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award. She was recognized for overcoming strong opposition of a former governor and the business community to obtain environmental protections for minority communities. She also is the first Hispanic woman to serve in the upper house of the California Legislature, and she is expected to win an uncontested election in November for the U.S. House of Representatives.



Sammy Sosa Outfielder Chicago Cubs, Major League Baseball Chicago, IL Mr. Sosa is one of the most well-known Hispanic sports figures. He was voted the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 1998. He led the NL in votes for the 1999 All-Star Game. He hit 66 home runs in 1998, 63 in 1999, and 38 through mid-August. He was embroiled in a classic battle two years ago with the St. Louis Cardinal’s Mark McGwire, who won a season home-run duel with a record 70.



Priscilla E. Tudela CEO NetMAXimo Miami, FL Ms. Tudela established netMAXimo in January. The site provides various services, including: payroll, accounting, Web hosting, e-commerce, business exchange services via the Internet, a business-to-business marketplace, buyer’s guides, and information about the high-tech industry. Her goal is to help Latin-American businesses harness the power of technology. She previously has worked for ZonaFinanciera.com, Oracle, and PeopleSoft Latin America.



Walter Ulloa Chairman & CEO Entravision In August, Mr. Ulloa’s company acquired Z-Spanish Media for $448 million, including $224 million in cash and $115 million stock, and the assumption of $109 million of debt. With the addition of these assets, Entravision will own and operate 57 radio stations in 23 markets and 11,200 billboards in New York and Los Angeles. The company also owns 16 Univision TV affiliates. It is the only Spanish-language media company in the U.S. to own business units in all three markets.



Alice Velazquez Aponte President Hispanic National Bar Association Washington, DC Ms. Velazquez has been instrumental in the confirmations of Judge Julio Fuentes (Third Circuit Court of Appeals), Judge Richard Paez (Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals), and Judge Jay Garcia-Gregory (District Court, Puerto Rico). She continues to pursue the nomination of a Hispanic to the U.S. Supreme Court. The organization also awards scholarships to law students, and conducts a national student job fair.



Alberto Vilar President & Founder Amerindo Investment Advisors Inc. New York, NY Mr. Vilar’s company manages $7.5 billion in the fastest growing sectors of the U.S. economy and is one of the largest investors in the Internet. Last year, the Amerindo Technology Fund gained 249 percent, making it one of the year’s most successful mutual funds. His funds have increased from $4 billion to $8 billion in the past year. He also is considered one of the world’s top philanthropists, having donated nearly $150 million to various causes.



Manuel A. Villafana Chairman and CEO ATS Medical Inc. Minneapolis, MN Mr. Villafana is a well-respected entrepreneur and investor in the medical technology industry. Last year, Deloitte & Touche ranked ATS Medical among the 50 fastest-growing technology companies in Minnesota. The company manufactures cardiovascular products worldwide, including mechanical heart valves, aortic valve graft prosthesis, and related cardiovascular accessories. The ATS Open Pivot™ Mechanical Heart Valve* is the company’s best selling product.