Hispanic Public Relations Association Announces 2006 Officers.

The Hispanic Public Relations Association (HPRA) announces that Romina Bongiovanni, western region manager at Edelman Diversity Solutions, is returning this year to lead the organization, while Leticia Rhi Buckley, the director of marketing and communications for the Music Center – Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles County takes on the Vice President role.

Returning members of the Executive Board include Michael Delgado, senior account executive with La Agencia de Orcí, as Treasurer, and Leticia Marquez, senior media relations officer at UCLA, as Secretary.

“It is difficult to articulate how excited I am when thinking about our present plans for 2006,” said Bongiovanni. “I am honored to have been given the opportunity to serve as your new president.”

Some of this year’s plans according to Bongiovanni include strengthening its member base outside of Southern California and launching a national committee. More professional development opportunities are also in the works including partnering with the Hispanic Market Pro to hold monthly webminars on diversity and a half-day seminar in Los Angeles with various workshops for entry and mid-level professionals. HPRA will again hold its PRemio Awards & Scholarship dinner in October, which recognizes esteemed professionals in the communications industry and awards $10,000 in scholarships.

Romina Bongiovanni, a multicultural public relations professional with expertise in the mainstream, Hispanic and African American markets, has more than 6 years of experience in the field. She is currently a senior account supervisor and western region manager for Edelman Diversity Solutions, where she oversees strategy development and planning for clients such as Starbucks, Merck, Loreto Bay and the New Mexico Tourism Board. She also manages new business development for Edelman’s diversity practice in the western region. Prior to Edelman, Bongiovanni worked at RL Public Relations where she was responsible for planning and executing public relations campaigns for clients such as Sears, Roebuck & Co., the California Milk Processor Board (Got Milk?), the National Honey Board and Johnnie Walker.

Leticia Rhi Buckley has had extensive experience in the general and Hispanic markets, with a 12-year career that has included positions at KROQ-FM, Ticketmaster and more recently, running her own marketing and public relations firm, The Selling Point. She is currently Director of Marketing and Communications for the Music Center of Los Angeles County where she oversees all marketing efforts for the Dance at the Music Center series, Speaker Series, family programming and informal arts initiatives including community and media outreach. Leticia has been featured on KTLA’s “Making It: Minority Success Stories” and was named as one of Hispanic Magazine’s 100 most successful Latinas in the nation in 2002.