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Latino Chamber of Commerce Receives Awards
The Latino Chamber of Commerce of Pueblo And three of its
members receive Regional Awards from The United States Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce!
The Latino Chamber of Commerce of Pueblo was recently notified that it has
received the Region II Large Hispanic Chamber of the Year Award from the United
States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. This award is awarded annually to a
Hispanic Chamber (within its respective region) that demonstrates a true
commitment to providing value added opportunities to its members and the
community in which it serves. The country is made up of six regions; Colorado is
part of Region II, which includes Montana, North and South Dakota, Nebraska,
Wyoming, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona.
In addition to being evaluated on value added opportunities, the Latino Chamber
was also evaluated on its “Best Practices”. Those “Best Practices” included in
the nomination were: Enterprise Zone “Project” Designation: In August of 2004,
the Latino Chamber of Commerce was approved as an official “Project” designation
within the Enterprise Zone (economically distressed area of Colorado in which
special tax incentives are offered to businesses that expand or locate in the
zone); Workers' Compensation Dividend Program: In partnership with SCA
Insurance, Peoples Centennial Insurance, and offered by Pinnacol Assurance, the
Latino Chamber of Commerce offers an extensive and unmatched Workers
Compensation Program. Over the course of the past three years, a total of
$101,000 in dividends has been paid back to participating members; Pueblo
Technology Alliance: Recognizing the need for creating
the need to enhance technology opportunities between education, local and state
governments, policy makers and those in the private sector, the Latino Chamber
was instrumental in the creation of the Pueblo
Technology Alliance; Brown Bag Seminars: Realizing that most business owners are
pros at either manufacturing a widget or providing a service, some lack the
skills needed to manage a business, the Latino Chamber created a program that
allows small, women-owned and minority-owned businesses to gain management
knowledge in a very non-traditional setting. Topics include; Marketing on a
Shoestring Budget, Hiring and Firing Practices, Preparing for Uncle Sam, etc.;
and the creation of the Community/Economic Development Consortium,. In an effort
to encourage change, full participation, and collaboration by all, the Latino
Chamber was instrumental in the creation and has served as the catalyst for
Community/Economic Development Consortium. Currently, the consortium is working
on new economic strategies that will allow Pueblo to better posture itself to
address and facilitate economic development opportunities.
Chamber members also receiving Region II awards include; Senator Abel Tapia for
Government Hispanic Business Advocate of the Year; Betty Luna, Burritos Betty
for Hispanic Business Woman of the Year; and Ken Garcia, KLI, Inc for Hispanic
Businessman of the Year.
Recipients of regional awards now qualify for national awards that will be
presented at the 26 th Annual United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Convention and Business Expo in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A contingency of 18 will
be traveling to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to participate in convention activities as
well as receive their awards.
The Latino Chamber of Commerce of Pueblo is extremely grateful to the City and
County of Pueblo for submitting the nomination as well as its nearly 1000
members for their continued support and participation.
United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Hispanic Business Woman of the Year
Betty Luna, Owner of Burritos Betty
A member of the Latino Chamber of Commerce since January of 2000, Betty Luna
moved back to Pueblo from California in September of 1972 and began working for
Mountain Bell in March of 1973. After working for the company for 14 years, her
department was re-located to Denver, CO. Betty chose to accept the company's
severance package taking a year off. At the end of that year, she began working
for the Pueblo Chieftain (local newspaper) as a part-time switchboard operator.
During her tenure with the Pueblo Chieftain, Luna contributed burritos and
stuffed sopapillas for fund raisers, and at the same time, her brothers Pete and
Richard asked if she would sell burritos at their place of business. As a result
of her efforts, she was asked by other businesses and construction sites to
provide basic catering services on job sites.
Resigning from the Pueblo Chieftain in May of 1989, Luna secured her business
license and opened her business “Burritos Betty”, renting a kitchen from
American Legion, where she began establishing her loyal customer base. The
business at the time featured an assortment of Mexican burritos, and fruit cups
for delivery to local businesses. Today, Burrito's Betty is located on 24 th and
Elizabeth, one of Pueblo's busiest intersections, serving hundreds of customers
every day.
In recognition of Betty Luna's extraordinary success, the Latino Chamber of
Commerce awarded her the Joseph P. Roybal Small Business of the Year Award in
February of 2005. This award was created to honor the Latino Chamber's founding
father, Joseph P. Roybal and his vision of creating an organization that would
support the desire for unity among the local Hispanic business community
United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Hispanic Business Man of the Year
Ken Garcia, KLI, Inc.
A member of the Latino Chamber since 1992, KLI, Inc. has been actively involved.
In 1993, KLI received the Latino Chamber's Joseph P. Roybal Small Business of
the Year Award, an award that recognizes and honors the Latino Chamber's
founding father and his vision of creating an organization that supports the
desire of unity among the local Hispanic business community as well as the
commitment to cultivate successful Hispanic entrepreneurs.
In partnership with his wife, Ken has built a business second to none. Committed
to quality and outstanding customer service, the KLI team approach brings
quality and craftsmanship to all of their projects. In addition, their full
range of services include:
• Environmental Restoration
• Consultation to design custom projects with plans and Illustration
• Irrigation installation of any size
• Land reclamation – restoring to its natural state
• Construction Services to Include retaining walls, pavers, concrete flatwork,
and fences
• Snow removal and landscape maintenance on commercial sites
From its founding in 1983, KLI, Inc. has expanded from an excavation operation
to one of the leading Design/Build contractors within the State of Colorado. The
organization has expanded to meet the growing needs of its customers, and has
built on its years of quality and service to strive to offer the very best
product in the industry. Their professional team affords them the opportunity to
offer technical capabilities to create designs that support the architecture and
the environment, adding esthetic value to all landscapes. Recognizing that their
success lies in the hands of many, Ken praises KLI's entire professional team,
as well as his family, for making the business what it is today.
Recently, the company announced a new business venture – Colorado Metal Art, a
venture that custom builds metal art sculptures and decorative designs.
Awards and Recognition
Recipient of the Latino Chamber's Joseph P. Roybal Small Business of the Year
Award in 1993
1995 – 2000 Top 100 Minority Owned Companies in Colorado
Rocky Mountain Chapter – American Concrete Institute 1997 Award of Merit for
Denver Administration Building
The Latino Chamber of Commerce is extremely proud to nominate Ken Garcia of KLI,
Inc. for the United States Hispanic Chamber's Hispanic Business Man of the Year
Award.
United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Government Business Advocate of the Year
Senator Abel Tapia, District #3 (Colorado)
Through his business, Abel Engineering Professionals, Inc., Senator Abel Tapia
has been a member of the Latino Chamber since December of 1992. While this
nomination is specific to Government Advocacy, I am compelled to include a bit
about his work in the early 90's when he began work as an advocate for the
Pueblo Community. Elected to serve on Pueblo School District #60' Board of
Education, Abel served for a total of eight years, two years as Vice President
from 1993 to 1995, and President from 1995 to 1996. In 1997, he was elected to
serve as Chairman of the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors,
and to the Pueblo Area Council of Governments.
In 1998 and 2000, Abel ran and won the election for State Representative
District #46, and served on the Legislative Council and as Democratic Caucus
Chairman, and Latino Caucus Chairman. In addition, he served on the Finance and
Appropriations Committee. Currently, Senator Tapia is completing his third year
of a four-year term in the State Senate where he was appointed; as the very
first Hispanic to serve as Chairman of the Joint Budget Committee and is also
Vice Chairman of the Appropriations committee (two committees that are
considered the most powerful in the general assembly).
Senator Tapia, what stands out to those that know him best, is that through his
many life successes and challenges, he has remained grounded and true to his
beliefs, working in the best interest of those he represents. The Latino Chamber
is proud of Senator Tapia's accomplishments and is proud to submit his
nomination for the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Government
Advocate of the Year.
Advocate of the Year
Senator Abel Tapia, District #3 (Colorado)
Through his business, Abel Engineering Professionals, Inc., Senator Abel
Tapia has been a member of the Latino Chamber since December of 1992. While this
nomination is specific to Government Advocacy, I am compelled to include a bit
about his work in the early 90’s when he began work as an advocate for the
Pueblo Community. Elected to serve on Pueblo School District #60’ Board of
Education, Abel served for a total of eight years, two years as Vice President
from 1993 to 1995, and President from 1995 to 1996. In 1997, he was elected to
serve as Chairman of the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors,
and to the Pueblo Area Council of Governments.
In 1998 and 2000, Abel ran and won the election for State Representative
District #46, and served on the Legislative Council and as Democratic Caucus
Chairman, and Latino Caucus Chairman. In addition, he served on the Finance and
Appropriations Committee. Currently, Senator Tapia is completing his third year
of a four-year term in the State Senate where he was appointed; as the very
first Hispanic to serve as Chairman of the Joint Budget Committee and is also
Vice Chairman of the Appropriations committee (two committees that are
considered the most powerful in the general assembly).
Senator Tapia, what stands out to those that know him best, is that through
his many life successes and challenges, he has remained grounded and true to his
beliefs, working in the best interest of those he represents. The Latino Chamber
is proud of Senator Tapia’s accomplishments and is proud to submit his
nomination for the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Government
Advocate of the Year.
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