Yvonne Lorié was recently named to the board of the Latin Scholarship Fund. She is currently vice president of Machado/Garcia-Serra Communications (MGS) Public Relations division, a multicultural communications firm with headquarters in Miami, Florida. At MGS, she manages all aspects of marketing communications including strategic planning, corporate communications, media relations, community relations, sales promotions, product launches, event marketing, and special events. Ms. Lorié has designed and implemented public relations and sales promotion campaigns for national, regional, and local clients for various consumer products and services. Her 15-year career track includes development and management of fundraising projects for non-profit organizations, and promotion of financial, automotive, and healthcare products and services. A second-generation Latino born of Cuban parents, Ms. Lorié graduated from Florida International University with a bachelor of arts degree from the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. This has inspired her to help fund educational opportunities for Latino youth, which are, as she states, a big part of our future.
Hector Barreto has been named national chairman of the Latino Coalition, a nonprofit, non-partisan organization based in Washington, D.C. that addresses policy issues that directly affect the well-being of Hispanics in the United States. According to Robert de Posada, president of the Latino Coalition, Hector Barreto is one of the most respected leaders in our nation. Because of his extensive experience in the public and private sectors, we know that he can help take the Latino Coalition to a whole new level. As national chairman, Hector Barreto will be a leader that helps set the [Hispanic>community on the right course to greater prosperity. Previously, Mr. Barreto served as administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration. During Mr. Barretos tenure, the number of loans to small businesses, including minorities and women, more than doubled. In addition, more entrepreneurs than ever, a record 2.44 million in 2003, received business counseling.