Newark, NJ – The Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (SHCC) announced today the winners of the 2008 Hispanic Leadership & Business Excellence Awards.  The SHCC will present the awards to the recipients during the SHCC 18th Annual Convention Expo & Career Fair scheduled on October 17, 2008 at New Jersey Institute of Technology Campus Center in Newark, New Jersey.

 “As the Hispanic business community continues to increase and expand its contributions to both New Jersey and the U.S. economy, the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey is proud to honor those at the forefront of this unprecedented growth,” said Daniel H. Jara, SHCC Founding President and CEO. “On behalf of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey, our Board of Directors, and the 70,000 businesses we seek to represent, I congratulate and applaud this year’s award recipients for their accomplishments and exemplary leadership.  I look forward to the continued growth and prosperity of our Hispanic business community, with these individuals leading as strong examples.”

The SHCC presents these prestigious awards each year to extraordinary and visionary businessmen and women, as well as corporate and government advocates, who have contributed to and demonstrated exemplary excellence and leadership in business.  The awards pay tribute to the unparalleled achievements and innovations that have significantly empowered the New Jersey Hispanic community, the state’s largest and fastest growing minority group.

The winners were selected from nominations submitted to the Board of Directors.

This year’s award recipients are:
Corporate Sector Advocate of the Year
Jonathan R. Pearson
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey

Public Sector Advocate of the Year
Nina Mitchell Wells, Esq.
New Jersey Secretary of State

Corporate Member of the Year
Wakefern Food Corporation/ShopRite
Presidents Award

Lisa P. Jackson
NJ Department of Environmental Protection
Professional Services

Businessperson of the Year
Ivette Mendez
LatinosNJ.com

Professional Services
Businessperson of the Year
Johnny Rojas
Century 21 JR Gold Team Realty

Service Industry
Businessperson of the Year
Yolanda J. Barreto
First Residential Mortgage

Service Industry
Businessperson of the Year
Hugo Gonzalez
State Farm Insurance

Media Person of the Year
Roberto J. Bustamante

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