November 18, 2017 – (HOUSTON, TX) – In honor of its 40th anniversary, the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce played host to the largest gathering of Hispanic business leaders in the region in Downtown Houston on Saturday night. The Chamber’s 40th Anniversary Annual Awards paid homage to the organization’s past, acknowledged the road taken thus far, and celebrated the work yet to be done by one of the largest chambers of commerce in the United States.

“This room is where the future lies,” said Dr. Laura Murillo, the Chamber’s President & CEO. “Hispanics are not just the leading demographic group in the region – we represent the future of this great country. Whether it’s the record number of new businesses started in 2017, or the growing electoral influence, or the tens of billions of dollars’ worth of purchasing power; the Hispanic community will continue to chart the course for this city, this state, and this country.”

The 40th Anniversary Annual Awards ceremony highlighted the accomplishments of the following entrepreneurs, businesses, and executives in each respective category:

· Chairman/President & CEO Award: Sarah Frazier, Senior Vice President & Market Manager, CBS Radio

· Hispanic Emerging Business of the Year: Ted & Cherise Gutierrez, Founders, CanIGetHacked

· Hispanic Female Entrepreneur of the Year: Sheri Dunaway, Owner, Copan Trade Ltd.

· Hispanic Male Entrepreneur of the Year: Arnold Gacita, President & CEO, Petra Oil Company

· Hispanic Female Executive of the Year: Lucilla Longoria Henderson, Vice President of Community & Business Engagement, TDECU

· Hispanic Male Executive of the Year: Joe Gutierrez, CEO, Novi Ventures LLC

The 40th Anniversary Annual Awards also saw the region’s elected and appointed leaders descend upon the Marriot Marquis to celebrate not only today’s business leaders, but the next generation of trailblazers, as well. The Greater Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation (GHHCCF) recognized the 2017 cohort of the Emerging Leaders Institute – a group of young, accomplished individuals whose work has had impact across the globe. The Chamber’s Foundation has now graduated more than 250 young leaders through its innovative Emerging Leaders Institute program.

The 2017 Annual Awards were graciously underwritten by longtime sponsor, BBVA Compass.