HispanicBusiness

Carlos Barrionuevo
Director of Business Development
National Public Radio
In his role at NPR, Mr. Barrionuevo develops new business ideas and pursues revenue-generating opportunities for NPR, culminating in this year's launch of NPR Music Box -- a new service that provides classical, adult alternative, and jazz content of varying lengths to participating stations. Prior to NPR, Mr. Barrionuevo co-founded Blackvoices.com, an African American-targeted media company and a subsidiary of the Chicago-based Tribune Company. He is also a member of the National Association of Minority Media Executives and the National Society of Hispanic MBAs.

Joseph Caruncho
CEO & Founder
Preferred Care Partners
Joseph Caruncho, CEO of Preferred Care Partners (the largest privately owned Medicare Advantage Health Plan in Florida), launched the company after developing and implementing the Provider Sponsored Organization (PSO), a health plan that allows physicians to bypass the HMO. A leader in the healthcare industry, Mr. Caruncho was named Ultimate CEO by South Florida Business Journal in 2006, CEO of the Year for the 2005 Excellence in Healthcare Awards, and the Florida Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in Healthcare. He is a member of the Florida Bar Association and is a public arbitrator with the National Association of Securities Dealers.

Michelle Cervantez
VP of Marketing
Hyundai of North America
Michelle Cervantez, vice-president of marketing for Hyundai Motor America, is responsible for all Hyundai marketing and advertising in the United States. Before joining Hyundai in 2005, Ms. Cervantez worked in a similar position at Mercedes-Benz USA and as vice-president of marketing for Jaguar Cars North America. Her extensive background in automotive marketing has earned her recognition from Automotive News on its list of "100 Leading Women in the North American Auto Industry" as well as Hispanic Business's list of 80 elite women.

Francisco Codina
Group VP, North America Marketing, Sales & Service
Ford Motor Company
Promoted to his current position in March of this year, Francisco Codina oversees the marketing, sales, and service of all Ford and Lincoln Mercury vehicles in North America. Mr. Codina is a native of Cuba and joined Ford in 1977 as a part of its customer service division, and has since worked his way up, most recently serving as the vice-president of Ford Customer Service Division. He also held the positions of marketing and customer service director of Ford of Mexico, and president of Ford of Argentina.

Rudy deLeon
Former Senior VP, Washington DC Operations
The Boeing Company
After more than 25 years of senior leadership experience in the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. government, culminating in being deputy secretary of defense, Mr. deLeon became senior vice-president of Boeing's Washington, D.C. operations until he stepped down in June. The Loyola Marymount and Harvard grad's vast government experience began as a sought-after legislative aide and includes his positions as deputy secretary of defense, undersecretary of the Air Force, and undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, among others.

Paul Diaz
President, CEO & Director
Kindred Healthcare Inc.