USHCC Key Appointments To Senior Leadership Team.

Michael L. Barrera, President and CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), recently announced several key appointments to the USHCC senior leadership team, which will contribute to the goals and wide-ranging agenda of the growing Hispanic-owned business community. Allen Gutierrez was named Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining the USHCC, he previously served as Senior Advisor to the Chief Operating Officer for the U.S. Small Business Administration as well as the Senior Advisor to the Office of International Trade. CiCi Rojas is the Vice President of Strategic Alliances and Special Projects. Ms. Rojas was the President and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Greater Kansas City (HCCGKC). Guillermo Meneses is named Vice President for Communications.

“As we move forward in implementing the ambitious and wide-ranging agenda to advance the USHCC to new levels of advocacy and entrepreneurship, I am excited to have Allen, CiCi and Guillermo on board to contribute to its successful realization,” said President Barrera. “They each bring key management skills to the table, along with the energy, passion and integrity that makes for a winning team that will put the USHCC on a fast track to continued growth and success.”

During his term at the SBA, Mr. Gutierrez was part of the senior team that executed President Bush’s Management Agenda that helped create a more transparent and results orientated agency. He was also a member of the Executive Resource Board that advised the Administrator on matters involving the career senior management. During his tenure in the Office of International Trade, Mr. Gutierrez served as the key representative for SBA during the CAFTA-DR negotiations, as well as coordinated and executed bilateral agreements within the APEC and OECD organizations.

Under her leadership at the HCCGKC, Ms. Rojas was instrumental in building the organization as a visible and respected leader in economic development opportunities, leadership development, and advocacy for issues that impact the Hispanic community in neighboring Missouri and Kansas. She also led numerous diverse programs and resources to assist and expand Hispanic-owned businesses and provided professional opportunities that helped advance the agenda of the local Hispanic business community in the Greater Kansas City region. The HCCGKC experienced a 200 percent growth in membership and 300 percent increase in organizational revenues during Ms. Rojas’ tenure.

Mr. Meneses brings 15 years of experience in political, governmental and advocacy work to the USHCC with expertise in strategic messaging, public affairs, and national media campaigns. He served as Vice President for Communications, NDN, a leading issue-advocacy organization in Washington, D.C. There, he spearheaded the development and execution of highly successful communications, branding and marketing initiatives. Prior to that position, he was the press secretary for the Democratic National Committee; and was a public affairs officer for the U.S. Energy Department under the leadership of New Mexico Governor, Bill Richardson. Prior to coming to Washington, Meneses led an accomplished career in television news in New York as a producer for CNN, Fox and CBS News.

The USHCC represents the interests of more than 2 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States and Puerto Rico, which earn more than $250 billion annually. It serves as the umbrella organization for more than 210 local Hispanic chambers nationwide, and it actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs.