Jayme : I see being a Latino as a big advantage . It is so fantastic to be able to move from one language to the other and from one culture to the other . This is very valuable , especially in business .
Abel Ibarra
Title : Spanish Editor Profession : Journalist and TV producer . Company : La Gaceta and Univision Tampa .
Latin Times : How did you get started in your profession ? Do you enjoy your job ? If so , why ? Abel : I started teaching T . V . Journalism and T . V . production in the Universidad Central de Venezuela . In my career , while writing books ( essays , poems and a novel ) I used to write articles and columns for several newspapers in my country . When I came to live in Miami I collaborated with newspapers and magazines like “ El Venezolano ”, “ Conexiones ”, “ Hispánica ”. In Tampa I had a short period writing for 7 Días and finally became Spanish Editor of “ La Gaceta ”. Also , I am running a TV segment in Univision about the origins and meanings of Spanish words . Of course I enjoy my job and can say with Yogi Berra : “ They pay me to do what I enjoy ”.
Latin Times : What was or is your biggest challenge as a Hispanic Business Man ? Abel : To contribute to journalism with a high quality that allows me to get the necessary advertising to continue running the newspaper .
Higinio ( Hig ) Manuel Rodriguez Dillinger
Title : President / Owner Profession : Entrepreneur Company : CIRSCO
Latin Times : What country are you from ? Hig : I was born in the United States but my father is Incan and Spanish and is from Lima , Peru . I was raised in Cincinnati , Ohio .
Latin Times : Tell us about your family … Hig : I have three wonderful children who have grown to adulthood and all three work with me in our business . It has been a true blessing to watch them from birth and still get to watch them as they grow to become outstanding businesspersons .
Latin Times : What is your definition of success ? Hig : In business I believe that success is doing what you really enjoy doing but always having the legitimate option to completely change course to do anything else that you would also like to do . On a personal level I am most gratified that my immediate family has grown to be so close and that each of us has a full sense of love and respect for each other .
Latin Times : Are you involved in community organizations ? Which ones ? Hig : For nineteen years I coached kids as a volunteer in various sports and helped to run the community and church organizations that focused on kids programs . Today I am more involved with business and trade associations and support those efforts . I feel that I would probably be more helpful to the community serving in a mentor capacity and helping to create individual successes .
LUIS EDUARDO BARON
Title : Publisher Profession : Journalism Apprentice Company : TV Net Media Group , ( 7DIAS and La Guía )
Latin Times : How did you get started in your profession ? Do you enjoy your job ? Luis Baron : I graduated in Architecture , however I worked in the TV industry since when I was a kid . When I came to America I decided to change my life . The closest business I could think of was print media and thus started my first publication . Today we have four . I really enjoy my job every single day . You can really change lives through your writing , especially helping people and becoming a voice in your community .
Latin Times : What was or is your biggest challenge as a Hispanic Business Man ? Luis Baron : I started the business without knowing anyone , without a credit history ( which in this country is like if you don ’ t exist ), and with just $ 1000 in capital .
Latin Times : Tell us about your family . Luis Baron : I am married to the most beautiful , lovely , intelligent , woman on the face of the earth , my wife Martha Lucía : my partner and friend . We have three wonderful children , Juan Sebastian ( 18 ) who wants to study Cinematography , Daniela ( 16 ) the future CEO of the company and Manuela ( 12 ) my publisher in 20 years . Two dogs : Filemón and Isabella , and two cats : Tony and Oreo .
Latin Times : Who do you foresee in the White House in this years election ? Luis Baron : If the democrats do not win it is because they don ’ t deserve the presidency . This will be a very easy election for them but the ambitions of their candidates are going to destroy their possibilities . If you ask me now , I say McCain .
Jose “ Enrique ” Cabrera
Title : President / Owner Profession : Business Owner Company : Enrique A / C Training / Enrique A / C Supplies
Latin Times : How did you get started in your profession ? Do you enjoy your job ? why ? Enrique : I started in my profession as a part time job . I really enjoyed what I was doing , so I decided to do more training in the field . After many years in the field I decided to open my own business in that field . After a couple of years in the business , I saw a niche for an air conditioning training school within the Hispanic community , so I decided to open my own technical school , Enrique A / C Training . I really enjoy what I do and I love helping people , especially the Hispanic community .
Latin Times : What was or is your biggest challenge as a Hispanic Business Man ? Enrique : Maybe one of the biggest challenges for me is being a minority and a business owner at the same time . Sometimes , you have to deal with certain racial discrimination at some degree , and that ’ s still not something that is easy to deal with .
Latin Times : What country are you from ? And where were you born and raised ? Enrique : Santo Domingo , Dominican Republic
Jorge Vazquez
Title : CEO / Sales Instructor Profession : Licensed Financial Consultant , R . R ./ Insurance Agent / Public Notary / Real Estate Investor Company Name : V & V Real Estate Associates & Financial Specialists
Latin Times : How did you get started in your profession ? Jorge Vazquez : I started as a customer services Rep / Cashier at a small bank while going to school for Business Administration and continued to advance in my career until becoming the Top Regional Financial Specialist 2002-2003 . My interest in real estate began when I bought my first home at the age of 18
Latin Times : What was or is your biggest challenge as a Hispanic Business Man ? Jorge Vazquez : Our biggest challenge at the beginning was the English language barrier and breaking into the predominantly Caucasian financial business community as well as getting Hispanics to invest and think of a long term future in advance .
Latin Times : What does being a Latino mean to you ? Jorge Vazquez : I am very proud of my roots as a Latino . I embrace my culture and my HISTORY . UTILIZING my native language DAILY is one of the most important things in my life .
For complete coverage of this feature , please visit our website at : www . Latin-Times . com where complete interviews and bios are available for you to read !
Tampa Bay ’ s First Annual Elite Latino Awards is coming this September !
Do you know someone that deserves to be nominated ? Log on to our website and complete the simple nomination form TODAY ! |
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Criteria for Nominations : Nominees may be from the public or private sector , and include education , arts , media , entertainment , hospitality , government , law , health , human services , volunteer , entrepreneur , outstanding students 18-22 and / or other professions . This event will pay homage to the Elite Latinos who have excelled within their profession by demonstrating and practicing ethical , professional and responsible behavior .
This Oscar-Style , “ Red Carpet Event ” is expected to be among the most prestigious Hispanic / Latino event in the Tampa Bay Area . The goal of the Elite Latino Awards is to nominate and award Hispanic / Latino individuals who have positively impacted the community with their hard-work and efforts . These elite individuals will be awarded in the following categories :
1 . Community Service 2 . Government Service 3 . Education 4 . Media 5 . Health Care 6 . Technology 7 . Business Services 8 . Manufacturing
We will also be honoring an excelling student between the ages of 18 – 22 .
Nominees must have resided in the Tampa Bay area for at least one year . For more information , or to nominate someone , please log into our website at : www . Latin-Times . com or contact our office at ( 813 ) 901-5292 .
May - july 2008 | LATIN TIMES MAGAZINE 17