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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS CONTACT October 25, 2021 Idaliz Ortiz Morales iortizmorales@gwhcc.org GREATER WASHINGTON HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 45th ANNUAL GALA AWARD RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED Meet the inductees of the 2021 GWHCC Hispanic Business Hall of Fame Washington, DC - The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 45 Annual GWHCC Gala on November 13, 2021 at the Walter E Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm. The event will honor the minority small business community in the region and recognize business leaders whose legendary achievements continue to promote and advance the economic climate of our communities. During the evening, we will award the luminaries who have made significant contributions to the development and advancement of the Hispanic market in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. This month the Chamber announced its 2021 Hispanic Business Hall of Fame Award recipients. "We are proud to host this year's 45th anniversary event and welcome our Chamber members, community leaders and business partners to reconnect in person," said GWHCC President/CEO Nicole Quiroga. "This year’s Gala not only represents a huge milestone for our Chamber but provides an opportunity to recognize the extraordinary resiliency and resolve of businesses throughout the region that have evolved, adapted, and transformed their business models behind the backdrop of an uncertain landscape presented through the COVID-19 global pandemic." GWHCC will present three awards to change makers in the following categories: GWHCC Legacy Award, Antonio Tijerino, Hispanic Heritage Foundation Jose Antonio Tijerino is president and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, a national nonprofit focused on education, workforce, social impact, and culture through innovative leadership. HHF under Tijerino’s leadership is recognized as a creative, agile, impact-focused organization recognized by The White House, US Congress, Fortune 500 companies, other nonprofits and the Government of Mexico. Tijerino is also executive producer of the Hispanic Heritage Awards at the Kennedy Center, which are broadcast on PBS. As a proud immigrant from Nicaragua, Tijerino help found the Hispanic Leaders Alliance with the NFL, the American Project, #WeDreamAmerica campaign, #Masks4Farmworkers which provided more than 2 million masks for farmworkers during pandemic, READ (Refugee Education And Development), DREAM LEAD Institute for DACA recipients, and helped produce the Oyeme! Project with Imagination Stage portraying the plight of unaccompanied minors. He was recognized by FWD.US for his work with migrant families on the border, and is a Salinas Fellow at the Aspen Institute. Recently, Tijerino co-founded the LOFT (Latinos On Fast Track) Institute. GWHCC Young Hispanic Entrepreneur Award, Juan Manuel Barrientos, El Cielo Chain Restaurants Juan Manuel Barrientos Valencia is a Colombian chef, businessperson, and advocate of peace. He is also the founder of the El Cielo restaurant chain, which has been studied by various universities. Barrientos Valencia has been named one of the 50 best chefs of Latin America, and was awarded the Revelation Chef Award by Madrid Fusion. The Colombian government recognized Juan Manuel as a “Young Leader of Peace in Latin America.” He has taken his cuisine to areas of major conflict in Colombia, and has offered his experience and help to wounded soldiers and young guerrillas. His newest project is translated as “In Elcielo, We Are Cooking Up Peace in Colombia” (“En Elcielo, estamos Cocinando La Paz de Colombia”). GWHCC Corporate Community Anchor Award, James Schenck, PenFed Credit Union James Schenck is President and CEO of PenFed Credit Union, America’s second-largest federal credit union. He also serves as CEO of the PenFed Foundation, which has provided more than $40 million in financial support to military service members, veterans, families, and support networks through programs on financial education, homeownership, veteran entrepreneurship, and short-term assistance. On PenFed’s leadership team since 2001, James led most of PenFed’s operating divisions. From 2011 to 2014, he was President of a wholly owned subsidiary, PenFed Realty. In past years, he ran the credit union’s operations as COO and Chief Administrative Officer. Extending the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People,” James volunteers for other business groups. He serves on the boards of the Armed Services Arts Partnership, Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Northern Virginia Technology Council, and US Chamber of Commerce. During the gala, the chamber will also host a Silent and Live Auction Fundraiser, recognize our first responders for their invaluable commitment to our safety during these unpresented times, and feature dancing, food and a special guest star for the evening’s festivities. To purchase tickets or to become a sponsor please click here. Join the conversation online using the hashtag #GWHCCGala and by following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. ## About the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)(6) membership-driven organization, founded in 1976, that supports the economic development of the Greater Washington metropolitan area. The Chamber facilitates the success of Hispanic and other minority-owned businesses and the communities they serve through networking, advocacy, education and access to capital.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PRESS CONTACT
October 25, 2021 Idaliz Ortiz Morales
iortizmorales@gwhcc.org
Washington, DC - The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is celebrating its 45 Annual GWHCC Gala on November 13, 2021 at the Walter E Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC from 6:30 pm to 11:00 pm.
The event will honor the minority small business community in the region and recognize business leaders whose legendary achievements continue to promote and advance the economic climate of our communities.
During the evening, we will award the luminaries who have made significant contributions to the development and advancement of the Hispanic market in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia.
This month the Chamber announced its 2021 Hispanic Business Hall of Fame Award recipients.
"We are proud to host this year's 45th anniversary event and welcome our Chamber members, community leaders and business partners to reconnect in person," said GWHCC President/CEO Nicole Quiroga. "This year’s Gala not only represents a huge milestone for our Chamber but provides an opportunity to recognize the extraordinary resiliency and resolve of businesses throughout the region that have evolved, adapted, and transformed their business models behind the backdrop of an uncertain landscape presented through the COVID-19 global pandemic."
GWHCC will present three awards to change makers in the following categories:
GWHCC Legacy Award, Antonio Tijerino, Hispanic Heritage Foundation
Jose Antonio Tijerino is president and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, a national nonprofit focused on education, workforce, social impact, and culture through innovative leadership. HHF under Tijerino’s leadership is recognized as a creative, agile, impact-focused organization recognized by The White House, US Congress, Fortune 500 companies, other nonprofits and the Government of Mexico. Tijerino is also executive producer of the Hispanic Heritage Awards at the Kennedy Center, which are broadcast on PBS. As a proud immigrant from Nicaragua, Tijerino help found the Hispanic Leaders Alliance with the NFL, the American
Project, #WeDreamAmerica campaign, #Masks4Farmworkers which provided more than 2 million masks for farmworkers during pandemic, READ (Refugee Education And Development), DREAM LEAD Institute for DACA recipients, and helped produce the Oyeme! Project with Imagination Stage portraying the plight of unaccompanied minors. He was recognized by FWD.US for his work with migrant families on the border, and is a Salinas Fellow at the Aspen Institute. Recently, Tijerino co-founded the LOFT (Latinos On Fast Track) Institute.
GWHCC Young Hispanic Entrepreneur Award, Juan Manuel Barrientos, El Cielo Chain Restaurants
Juan Manuel Barrientos Valencia is a Colombian chef, businessperson, and advocate of peace. He is also the founder of the El Cielo restaurant chain, which has been studied by various universities. Barrientos Valencia has been named one of the 50 best chefs of Latin America, and was awarded the Revelation Chef Award by Madrid Fusion. The Colombian government recognized Juan Manuel as a “Young Leader of Peace in Latin America.” He has taken his cuisine to areas of major conflict in Colombia, and has offered his experience and help to wounded soldiers and young guerrillas. His newest project is translated as “In Elcielo, We Are Cooking Up Peace in Colombia” (“En Elcielo, estamos Cocinando La Paz de Colombia”).
GWHCC Corporate Community Anchor Award, James Schenck, PenFed Credit Union
James Schenck is President and CEO of PenFed Credit Union, America’s second-largest federal credit union. He also serves as CEO of the PenFed Foundation, which has provided more than $40 million in financial support to military service members, veterans, families, and support networks through programs on financial education, homeownership, veteran entrepreneurship, and short-term assistance. On PenFed’s leadership team since 2001, James led most of PenFed’s operating divisions. From 2011 to 2014, he was President of a wholly owned subsidiary, PenFed Realty. In past years, he ran the credit union’s operations as COO and Chief Administrative Officer. Extending the credit union philosophy of “People Helping People,” James volunteers for other business groups. He serves on the boards of the Armed Services Arts Partnership, Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Northern Virginia Technology Council, and US Chamber of Commerce.
During the gala, the chamber will also host a Silent and Live Auction Fundraiser, recognize our first responders for their invaluable commitment to our safety during these unpresented times, and feature dancing, food and a special guest star for the evening’s festivities.
To purchase tickets or to become a sponsor please click here. Join the conversation online using the hashtag #GWHCCGala and by following us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
##
About the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: The Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c)(6) membership-driven organization, founded in 1976, that supports the economic development of the Greater Washington metropolitan area. The Chamber facilitates the success of Hispanic and other minority-owned businesses and the communities they serve through networking, advocacy, education and access to capital.