I am delighted to serve as your new chairman, and am very much looking forward to the New Year. Allow me to express all of you – our membership – a sincere appreciation for your support and the opportunity you have given me to lead our board of directors.

I also want to thank Jose Estorino – who we wish great success in his new adventure in Hong Kong – and Jim Jardon, a true gentlemen and professional. Both of these men, who preceded me in the chairmanship of this organization, have taught me a great deal. Their leadership, their vision, and their skills are things i hope to emulate in the coming year. Of course, I would be remise if I did not recognize the man with more energy than a Duracell factory, Ramón Ojeda. I also salute his terrific staff, as well as the out-going and in-coming board of directors.

Our chamber’s mission in the coming year must be to continue to support the entrepreneurial spirit that many in our Hispanic community possess. As we all know, thousands move to Central Florida each year. Many of our new Central Florida residents are Hispanic. And, many of our new Hispanic residents come to our region with business ideas and dreams. It is our job as a chamber – along with our sister organization, the HBIF – to foster these dreams. It must be our job to encourage and assist the Hispanic business entrepreneur to achieve business success.