USHCC Foundation and Altria Award 24 Scholarships To Chambers; Chambers To Receive Leadership...

Business Editors

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 1, 2003

The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) Foundation today announced the award of 24 scholarships to member Hispanic chambers of commerce to participate in a leadership training and attend the USHCC 24th

"Through our long-term partnership with the USHCC, the Altria family of companies strives to play an important role in contributing to the growth and empowerment of diverse communities," said A. Shuanise Washington, Vice President, Government Affairs Policy and Outreach, Altria Corporate Services, Inc. "Our support of this leadership training program is but one example of our commitment to help ensure Hispanic community leaders have the necessary skills and expanded network to better serve their community."

"This scholarship demonstrates Altria's commitment to the economic development of Hispanic businesses," said Frank Lopez, USHCC Foundation Executive Director. "Through these scholarships, our local member chambers will gain valuable skills from the leadership training and the numerous 'best practices' sessions and networking opportunities at the USHCC Convention. These skills translate into enhanced services for local Hispanic businesses."

The recipients of the USHCC Foundation Chamber Scholarship Fund include:

REGION I: Liborio (Lee) Rodriguez, Central California Hispanic

Chamber of Commerce; Eduardo Landeros, San Diego County Hispanic

Chamber of Commerce; Sandy Cajas, Regional Hispanic Chamber of

Commerce; Elizabeth Quiros, San Mateo County Hispanic Chamber of

Commerce

REGION II: Juan A. Delgadillo, Asociacion de Comerciantes Latinos

de Albuquerque; Deana Romero, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of

Colorado Springs; Sandy Gutierrez, Latino Chamber of Commerce of

Pueblo; Fred Orozco, Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

REGION III: Joe C. Cisneros, III, Corpus Christy Hispanic Chamber

of Commerce; Eliza May, Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of

Commerce; Luz Maria Zywiciel, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of

Metropolitan St. Louis; Rita Elizondo, San Antonio Hispanic

Chamber of Commerce

REGION IV: Rey Cruz, Aurora Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Laura

Ramirez, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Central Ohio; Val Vargas,

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Minnesota; Maria Monreal Cameron,

Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin

REGION V: Eduardo Giraldo, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Queens;

Gigi Guzman, Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Wilmer

Bolivar, Morris County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Michel Zajur,

Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

REGION VI: Frank Rodriguez, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of

Collier County; Ramon Ojeda, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro

Orlando; Federico Van Gelderen, North Carolina Hispanic Chamber of

Commerce; Liliam M. Lopez, South Florida Hispanic Chamber of

Commerce

The USHCC Foundation is committed to the purpose of giving Latino youth alternatives for life preparation and life-long learning by developing and implementing initiatives and educational campaigns to awaken and nurture the entrepreneurship spirit within our Latino youth and leverage corporate and public support to ensure that Latino youth gain access and achieve success in the world of business.

Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE: MO) is the parent company of Kraft Foods Inc., Philip Morris International Inc. and Philip Morris USA Inc. For more than four decades, the companies of Altria have played an active role in initiatives that promote the well-being of communities around the world through leadership and economic development. Additional information about Altria companies is available at http://www.altria.com/media_programs.