e-news letter 08-12 - Napa County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Board of Directors
Marisa Loza
President
Renato del Rosario
Vice Presidente
Patricia Martinez
Treasury
Angie Canchola
Secretary
Idalia Eggert
Membership Director
Ines de Luna
Government Affairs
Director
Laura Lezama
Mixer Director
Gerardo Martin
Past President /
Regional Director
Monthly
E-News Letter
July/August 2012
In this issue
GOLD EDITION
Fir! Annual Award and
Recognition Gala
“Blend of Cultures”
July 21, 2012
Chardonnay Golf Club in Napa, CA
GALA PROGRAM P.1
MIXER P.18
Our vision is to promote the economic advancement of the Napa County Hispanic population
and to serve as a bridge between the Hispanic and non-Hispanic community by facilitating
business, social, educational and governmental relationships.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2012-13
Gerardo Martin, Past President
Renato del Rosario, Vice President
Patricia Martinez, Treasurer Ines de Luna, Government Affairs
Marisa Loza, President
Angie Canchola, Secretary
Idalia Eggert, Membership Director
Laura Lezama, Mixer Director
KEYNOTE SPEAKER: Pablo Barragan
MASTERS OF CEREMONY: Jaime Penaherrera and Gerardo Martin
Major Event Sponsor
PROGRAM
5:00 pm
Registration
Hors d’oeuvres, Wine Tasting, Music & Silent Auction
5:30 pm
Lilia Navarro and her Napa Valley Ballet Folklorico
6:00 pm
Guests called for dinner seating
6:15 pm
Welcome by Chamber President Marisa Loza
Introduction of Masters of Ceremony
6:30 pm
Inauguration, Board and Special Guests recognition
6:45 pm
Dinner by Executive Chef Adolfo Garcia - CGC.
7:30 pm
Introduction of Keynote Speaker Pablo Barragan
8:00 pm
Recognition of 2012 Honorees
8:45 pm
Hispanic Business Salute
9:00 pm
Silent Auction Closes
9:00 pm
Final Remarks by Marisa Loza
9:00 to
11:00 pm
Dance by N.V.S. production “DJ Lalo”
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Marisa Loza
Welcome all,
I'm excited to serve as your 2012 President for the Napa
County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. We celebrated
many accomplishments in 2011, and I look forward to
more great things in 2012. Specially last year at our first
Gala and the recognition of our first eight members. A
dream come true. It was a challenge for us since we had
never done anything like that before, but it was a really
great experience, one that we totally enjoyed. Pulling
the whole program together and seeing it come out so
well, was gratifying, not just for me personally, but for
the Chamber as well. The Chamber received many
thanks for bringing the opportunity to recognized our
community leaders in the Napa Valley and taking one of
them to a regional and state level.
Congratulations to this year’s Community Achievement Award Recipients. I have
thoroughly enjoyed reading their inspirational biographies, learning about their
humble beginnings and their businesses success, and, in some cases, making new
friends and business associates.
Over the years, watching the Chamber in action has truly been an education. Our
Chamber team, Gerardo, Angie, Idalia, Ines, Laura, Paty and Renato, had devoted many
hours of hard work on a volunteering basis. They make everything look easy and
seamless. Thank you team, for all you do!
As a long-time member of the Chamber, I personally know that the value businesses,
small and large, receive from their membership is priceless. The value is enhanced,
and our Chamber is strengthened, with the participation of our membership in our
programs, committees and events. From the numerous networking opportunities to
advocacy on important business issues, the Chamber appeals to every facet of the
business community.
I plan to continue to be a very active Chairperson, getting to know as many member
businesses as possible. Please join me as we work together to get the word out about
the benefits of Chamber membership. Together, we can help the Chamber grow
stronger.
We look forward to working with you.
Marisa Loza, NCHCC President
KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
PABLO BARRAGAN
Pablo
Barragan is a national and internationally renowned
Newscaster originally born in Tijuana, Baja California,
Mexico. With a 23 years career in media, he currently works
for Azteca Baja California since 2011 as Lead News Director.
Also he is a Consultant and Trainer in Strategic Media
Management, Effective Communication in Public, Image and
Protocol.
From 2006 to 2010 he worked as News Anchor for
TELEMUNDO, transmitting for the cities of Fort Worth, Dallas,
Houston, and San Antonio, TX; Phoenix, and Tucson, AZ; Las Vegas, NV; San Jose, San
Francisco and Oakland, CA.
He has also worked for “Televisa Tijuana”, “Cadena Baja California”, “Periodico
Frontera”. Was a college professor for Baja California State University and Universidad
Iberoamericana.
Previous presentations included:
• Leadership in the Media. Keynote Speaker 10th International Symposium on
Leadership. Los Cabos, B.C.S. Nov. 2009.
• 2008 Teen Town Hall. Las Vegas, Nv.
• Leadership in TV. Leadership Conference. Tijuana.
• "Television Newscasts in Tijuana" (UABC, UIA, CUT)
• "Trends in Tijuana Television" (UABC, UIA)
• "Journalism and Mass Communication" (UIA, SD City College)
•"Psychology and Analysis of Media in Mexico" (Universal)
•Honors and Awards:
• Four Emmy Awards as Best News Anchor, by the National Academy of Television Arts
and Science.
Emmy
Award as Best Interviewer, by the National Academy of Television Arts and
•
Science.
• Ten Emmy nominations in different categories by the National Academy of Television
Arts and Science.
• Tijuana Walk of Fame.
• Las Vegas TV Magazine for his work as a commentator.
Napa County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
P. O. Box 6647 ● Napa CA 94581 ● FAX 707.226.1071
E-mail: [email protected] ●
www.napacountyhcc.com
THANKS TO OUR MAJOR DONOR SPONSORS
Renato del Rosario
Gerardo Martin
Angie Canchola
WINE DONORS
ABEL DE LUNA
Harvesting Pride Award
Born in a small ranch in Zacatecas, Mexico to Pedro e Ines, Abel
De Luna was instilled with values of unity, generosity, hard work
and above all, perseverance. Hardships of life took the family to
temporarily settle in the border town of Juarez, Mexico. Abel
lived most of his adolescence there, working with his family at a
neighborhood grocery store they had opened. Always an
entrepreneur at heart, he struggled with harsh conditions to be
able to attend a 3 year business school.
At 19 years of age Abel joined his father & brother in Napa
Valley, he began like many migrant workers pruning trees,
picking tomatoes & of course, grapes. Never one to conform,
after those hard days of work he spent his evenings educating
himself at Napa Valley College. In 1968 with his savings & the always present support of his parents, he
established La Luna Handy Store in Rutherford. It was the first grocery store in the area to cater to the
Mexican community, and it provided much more than your average groceries. It was embraced as the safe
haven for all local & migrant workers. Always eager to lend a helping hand, the De Luna family was
available for everything from filling out immigration paperwork to giving customers rides to the doctor.
Abel taught himself tax preparation & spent many nights doing the customer’s taxes, free of charge! Even
the police & fire departments had La Luna’s phone number, and would call (often) if there was any
altercation where they needed the help of a Spanish translator.
During this time Abel began getting very involved in community affairs, he helped organize the Cesar
Chavez union in Napa & aided in making their first contract with Christian Brothers Winery. He moved to
Healdsburg to build a chain of Markets, one in Ukiah & one there in Healdsburg, along with a local movie
theatre. He immediately got involved with the Healdsburg City Council. In 1975, at the age of 29 he made
history becoming the first Mexican & youngest Mayor the city has had to date. Throughout these years he
was a vital member to various organizations in the area. He was a founder & director of El Porvenir Credit
Union in Napa, a founder & director of OLLE (Organizacion Latina de Liberacion Economica), President of
MAPA (Mexican American Political Organization), and Chairman of the California Human Development
Corporation.
Selling records at his grocery stores & organizing concerts at his theatre helped spark Abel’s passion for
music. In 1978 he started Luna Music, a Spanish record label that specialized in Regional Mexican music.
He soon moved to Los Angeles, as the company grew rapidly with the creation of a music publishing
business (Luna Publishing Corp.), the construction and operation of a recording studio, and a concert
booking business (Luna Management) to help develop the artists the company managed. By 1999, Luna
Music had become the biggest independent music label in the USA & Mexico for Regional Mexican music.
Staying ahead of the curve, he sold his record label to Sony Discos that year, before piracy could
significantly hurt record sales. In that deal, Sony Discos hired Abel as their Senior Vice President, running
their Mexican music division in USA & Mexico. So far during his career in the music industry, he has
overseen the production of artists such as Vicente Fernandez, Los Caminantes, Banda Arkangel R-15,
Lupillo Rivera, Grupo El Tiempo, Adan Chalino Sanchez, Banda Pachuco, Juan Gabriel, Huracanes del Norte
and Sonora Tropicana, among many others.
Remembering the few hours of Spanish radio programming afforded to Napa residents by KVON and KRRS
in Santa Rosa, where he once was given the opportunity to have his own show, he began investing in radio
stations. In 1993, he acquired KRRS and changed it to a full-time Spanish language format, which was
later followed by radio stations in the counties of Riverside, Kern, Fresno & Yakima in the state of
Washington, among others.
Not forgetting his passion for politics, he has continued to support & help organize the campaigns of Jerry
Brown, Grey Davis, Bill Clinton, and Al Gore. As well as, Los Angeles Congressman Xavier Becerra and
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
In 2011 he sold some of his radio stations and started the expansion of the very popular taqueria located
inside Rutherford’s La Luna Market, by opening LUNA Tacos & Burritos in Los Angeles, California. He
currently resides in Los Angeles, and is the proud father of 4 children & 3 grandchildren.
JUAN JOSE PUENTES
Pruning the Future Award
Juan Jose Puentes was born on November 10th 1979 in
Woodland CA. He is the son of Juan and Emilia Puentes who
migrated to the U.S. from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico in
1964. Juan Jose grew up in a little town called Winters about
20 miles west of Sacramento. Juan Jose’s father having
strong work ethics taught him to work at an early age on
weekends and summer vacations. Juan Jose worked cutting
apricots for $1.50 a box, and it would take him all day to
cut just one box at the age of 9. He also worked at a local
lake resort doing landscaping and maintenance. Juan Jose
graduated from Winters High School in 1997 where he was
active in sports like baseball, football and Charreria
(Mexican rodeo). After graduating from high school he
enlisted in the US Army where he studied computer
business admiration. Upon returning from his military
training Juan Jose was hired by Pacific Bell Telephone
Company in Sacramento. He spent 4 years commuting from Napa to Sacramento.
In 2003, tired of the commute and with an itch to learn about wine, he applied at a local winery
where he was hired to work in the cellar at a Napa Valley custom crush winery. Here he had the
opportunity to work with a variety of winemakers from wineries like Peju, Whitehall Lane,
Dominari, Hope and Grace, Jessup Cellars to name a few. This is where his passion for wine
began and thanks to the winery owner/winemaker he was able to learn quickly about the whole
winemaking process. Soon he was appointed Cellar Master and in charge of all cellar
operations. Always wanting to learn more about wine, he met an Italian enologist by the name
of Stefano Migotto, the owner of Winetech, a mobile filtration company with 300 winery clients
in California. Stefano offered Juan an opportunity to join his company and taught him all about
wine filtration. Juan liked the idea and started at Winetech as a filtration technician and traveled
throughout the west coast from winery to winery filtering wine. Juan was able to do everything
from adjusting acidity levels using reverse osmosis with ion exchange to cross flow filtration
systems. In 2006 Mr. Migotto established his own winery and offered Juan the opportunity to
take over all of Winetech’s operations and help him with fruit sourcing for the winery. To date
Juan runs Winetech and helps with winery operations for Mr. Migotto’s winery.
Juan is married to Miriam Puentes Ramirez and they have two children Juan Honorio (6) and
Andres Francisco (3). Juan and Miriam met 14 years ago 1 year after her father Honorio Ramirez
Mata had passed away. It is then that Miriam let Juan know about a dream her father had before
passing. The dream was to one day have his own wine label named Honrama, it stands for
Honorio Ramirez Mata. Honorio came to the US from Guanajuato, Mexico. He worked for
Caymus Vineyards for 16 years starting in the fields and working his way up to Cellar Foreman.
Over the years working as Cellar Foreman, Honorio was taught how to make his own wine by
the owners of the vineyard. He began making his own wine and chose Miriam his oldest
daughter to go to school and get a degree in Business in order to run his wine tasting room.
Then, sadly Honorio passed away leaving behind so many unfulfilled plans and dreams for the
future. When hearing this story, Juan made a promise to Miriam, to one day fulfil her father’s
dream which was now their dream. On February 14th 2011 the first bottle of Honrama Cellars
wine was bottled and 550 cases were produced of a Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon. Juan
makes the wine and Miriam sells it and together they make the Honrama Cellars team.
HONRAMA: A Celebration of Opportunity, Labor, Resolve and the Bond of Generations.
EVERARDO CURIEL
Building a Legacy Award
Involvement: La Morenita Market prides itself in
helping local non-profits and community events. We
have also supported the local fire department, police
department, sheriff's department, local schools, local
churches, and local community health centers. Our
business strives from the support of the community, it
is only right that we give back.
Rags to Riches: Everardo Curiel, was born in San
Pablo, Jalisco, Mexico on October 17, 1955 into very
humble beginnings. His father passed away when
Everardo was 14, survived by his 4 sisters, 5 brothers,
and his strong willed mother. They carried on working on the family ranch, living off
their small plot of land through the cultivation of maize, beans, and squash. He left
Mexico in April 1973, at the age of 17, to work in America. His first job was at a cherry
farm in Stockton, California. He found himself in seasonal agriculture work following
cherry, peach, and olive harvests throughout Northern California and Oregon. His
brother suggested that he come to Napa Valley to work the vineyards with him. To his
luck, he was accepted into Beringer Vineyards in May of 1978 to work alongside his
brother. He briefly left America to marry his wife back in Mexico and bring her back
with him. He found new employment at the vineyards of William Hill in 1982. His
cousin, Ignacio Rubio, offered him a job at his auto shop as a mechanic in 1984.
Success Story: While working at Ignacio's shop, Everardo befriended Felipe Rubio, who
he shortly partnered with to import corn husks from his cousins back in Mexico.
Initially their plans were to distribute these corn husks along with Mexican sodas to
other stores. Their plan did not pan out as local stores did not want to sell pre
packaged corn husks. They soon decided to take Everardo’s wife's advice to open up a
small store. Everardo and Felipe Rubio eventually found a small venue across from
Napa High School in April 1991 where they shared a parking lot with a Thrift Store, a
bicycle shop (The Hub), a pet shop, a deli, and a small ministry. Unfortunately his
closest friend, Felipe Rubio, passed away in August of 1992 saving his 2 drowning
children while camping in Clearlake. His wife, Aida Rubio, took over Felipe's role at La
Morenita Market until she sold her stake of the store to Everardo in 1998. Throughout
these years, La Morenita Market has grown and expanded to 2 satellite locations in
Sonoma and a discount store within La Morenita Market Shopping Center.
Miscellaneous: Friendly and helpful service along with treating the customer as family
is what helped La Morenita Market grow into Napa's leading Hispanic grocery store.
Please visit us sometime and don't forget to check out our weekly specials on facebook
for some of the best deals in Northern California.
Thanks very much for your time, we are all very touched that you would honor
Everardo for his success and contributions.
ISMAEL GUILLEN
The American Dream Award
The road to success for Ismael started at the
young age of 20 years old. His first experience
in the restaurant business was as a dish washer
at the upscale restaurant in the heart of Napa
Valley by the name of Auberge du Soleil. He just
wanted to get his foot in the door and they were
willing to give him a chance. In just three short
years Ismael had worked his way up to sue chef.
He quickly became an expert in creating
exquisite French cuisine. At one point he was
helping run the restaurant with 134 employees,
not an easy task. By 1992, with Ismael’s help,
Auberge du Soleil had become one of the top ten restaurants in the country.
In 1989, Ismael was lucky enough to open his first restaurant in Suisun City with the help of a
partner. It was a French restaurant, Main 627. He worked at Auberge du Soleil as well as at the
new restaurant for a couple years while his business grew. He quickly created a strong following
with locals and tourists alike. He enjoyed working at both but knew that someday he would
have his own place.
He heard of an Italian restaurant that was up for sale in Napa, but all of his experience was in
French Cuisine. In March of 1992, he decided to take on the challenge of owning his own Italian
restaurant and he became the proud owner of Villa Romano. The previous owner, Dan Gorisoly,
stayed on with Ismael and taught him the secrets to creating some of the best Italian dishes in
Napa Valley. It quickly became a family business. Ismael’s wife, Maria, happens to be a pastry
chef and creates some very wonderful deserts. They have always worked together and make a
great team. Both of their sons also cook at the restaurant.
For over 20 years they have been creating a dining experience like no other. They host monthly
family wine dinners, that include a five course dinner paired with five local family wines. This
has been going on for 20 years, 11 months out of the year. Many of the patrons from the old
Main 627 still come out to these special monthly events. From the delicious daily lunches to the
fabulous nightly dinners, there is no doubt that there is something special about Villa Romano.
Ismael has even started taking his show on the road. Last year he started his catering business
because he had so many requests to cook for special events. It started as a favor for a few very
close friends and clients and has now grown to be a big part of his business. Now he can cook
for parties of 500 or more. An incredible journey that started washing dishes in a restaurant
nearly 30 years ago has now become a delicious and inspiring story.
What’s next? Ismael dreams of someday owning his own cooking school where he can teach his
students to create incredible dishes in 7 to 10 minutes. He knows that everyone is busy but
wants to eat healthy and delicious. There is no doubt that with his work ethic and talent, he will
accomplish this in no time.
DR. CRAIG SULTAN
Member of the Year Award
Dr. Craig Sultan, (O.D.), is a graduate from
the State University of New York College of
Optometry. He was also in a Masters
Degree program in Immunology from U.C.
Davis. Dr. Sultan has practiced in the Bay
Area for more than 34 years and in the
Napa /Solano area for 20 years. Dr. Sultan
did his residency in pediatrics and vision
development at the State University of New
York and has worked with thousands of
children from six months of age and up.
As a resident of Napa for over 15 years, he
opened The Eye Works Optometry in downtown Napa to fill the need of a fullservice vision care facility that offers: alternatives in vision correction, superior
customer service, convenient hours including open on Saturday and thousands
of choices of unique fashion and designer eyewear.
Dr. Sultan specializes in personalized care giving every patient the attention he
would want from his eye health care provider. "I am very proud of the
relationships I have with my patients and they in turn respect and appreciate
the extra mile I go for them," says Dr. Sultan.
As a Doctor of Optometry, part of my commitment to my patients is ongoing
professional education. As technology and the world around us changes, we
keep up-dated because we desire to provide the best care possible for our
patients.
Dr. Sultan belongs to the California Optometric Laser Associates (COLA) and has
been co-managing LASIK for 14 years when he had the procedure himself.
Dr. Craig Sultan combines 21st century diagnostic technology with extraordinary
person to person communication skills spiced up with humor and compassion. I
am the type of doctor that I would want to have.
LIDIA MALDONADO
Woman of the Year Award
A native of St. Helena, Lidia Maldonado
graduated from our local schools and attended
Napa Valley Junior College. Growing up in the
vineyard
and
wine
industry,
she
brings
decades of experience to the operation of
Maldonado
Family
Vineyards,
a
vineyard
management company turned winery which
she and her husband Hugo manage and coown with Hugo’s parents.
Maldonado
Family
Vineyards
is
the
culmination of dedication, hard work, and talent that runs deep through the
bloodlines of their storied families. Lidia’s dedication to her business is every
bit as strong as her devotion to the community and most importantly to her
growing family.
Lidia and Hugo have been married 23 years. They have a daughter, Mayra, who
attends Fresno State, sons Emiliano, 7, Carlos, 5 and youngest daughter,Camila,
3. In 2009, Lidia established the Damian Maldonado Memorial Foundation in
honor of her son who passed away in 2007. The foundation gives both
opportunity and financial aid to aspiring college students from throughout
Napa Valley. Lidia’s insight into the community’s largest industry, paired with
her unwavering empathy and compassion for those in need brought her to the
attention of the St. Helena Family Center, for whom she is currently serving as a
board member. She is also currently heading the scholarship committee for the
Napa Sonoma Mexican American Vintners Association.
MARIA MARAVILLA
Volunteer of the Year Award
Maria
Maravilla was born in Southern
California, but was raised in Mexico. She is the
third child of five sisters. In 1991, her family
migrated to the Napa Valley where she
completed her education. Maria began her
career in the insurance industry with Lemus
Insurance ten years ago; an agency that mostly
served Spanish speaking clients. Only a few
months after having been hired at Lemus
Insurance, she was promoted to management.
She managed Lemus Insurance for four years.
In 2005, she pursued and obtained her CSR
license. A year later, she decided to open her
business as an independent agent with Farmers
Insurance, Maravilla Insurance. It is an agency whose 90% of its clients are
Spanish speaking. Assisting the Latino community is her passion.
Maria has been inspirational to her family. She encouraged her younger sister to
follow her steps and mentored her into opening her own business. Today, her
sister is also an independent insurance agent for Farmers.
She has been an active member of the Napa County Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce since 2011. When Maria is not working, she enjoys spending quality
time with her husband and her two sons, Manny and Eric. Maria has been an
active parent at Napa Valley Language Academy for over ten years and has been
involved as a parent volunteer for various events at Vintage High School during
the past three years. Both schools are aware of her dedication to these schools
and her willingness to assist them whenever possible. Her parent involvement
has included, but is not limited to, helping in the classroom, volunteering for
fundraising events in various capacities, supporting school events,
participating school wide forums and discussions, and by being part of focus
groups. She understands the positive effect of parent involvement on the
academic success of children. It is important to Maria that her children value
the importance of a strong community. She believes that parent involvement
strengthens communities
OSCAR DE HARO
Hispanic Heritage Award
Oscar’s Arrival to St. Helena and youth years in the Napa Valley
Oscar was born Jose Oscar Saldivar De Haro, to Jose Saldivar and
Emilia De Haro in Jerez, Zacatecas, Mexico. At the age of 1 year old,
Oscar was adopted by his godparents of baptism, Feliciano De Haro
(brother of Emilia) and Juanita De Loera. Oscar’s grandfather, Jesus
Maria De Haro, who had fought in the Mexican Revolution with the
forces of Pancho Villa in Zacatecas, made the adoption of Oscar
possible by imploring to his daughter, Emilia, to give Oscar to
herchildless brother, Feliciano.
Feliciano participated in the U.S.
government Bracero guest worker program of the 1940’s/50’s that
imported seasonal labor from Mexico. His last assignment was to St.
Helena where he worked for the Mondavi Family. Cesario Mondavi
sponsored permanent residency for Feliciano and his family. Oscar
was two years old when, he, Juanita and Feliciano immigrated to the
United States and settled in the town of St. Helena, leaving behind his
biological parents and 10 brothers and sisters.
In 1956, Oscar’s family became the first family from the state of Zacatecas to settle in the Napa Valley. His family
story is featured in the book “Santos, Duraznos y Vino” by Dr. Sandra Nichols. He attended K-12 in St. Helena and
graduated from St. Helena High School where he organized the first soccer club and was involved in student
government. As a young man while in high school Oscar picked grapes, walnuts and prunes in the Napa Valley and
picked apples in Sebastopol and one summer picked strawberries in Salinas and worked at Taylor’s Refresher in St.
Helena. After graduating from high school in 1972 he attended La Universidad de Las Americas in Cholula, Puebla,
Mexico, and two years later transferred to Napa Valley College then to San Jose State University where in 1976
received a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Mexican American Studies. Oscar worked for the university
and Kentucky Fried Chicken while attending San Jose State University.
1977-1987 in Napa Valley
In 1977 Oscar was hired at Napa Valley College as its first fulltime Director of the Extended Opportunity Programs
and Services (EOPS). He also became the first intercollegiate soccer coach for Napa College and organized the first
Latino Youth Leadership Conference, which continues to this day. Oscar also taught Citizenship classes, soccer and
Chicano Studies. During this 10-year period in the Napa Valley he became involved with Cesar Chavez and the
United Farm Workers activities and served on the board of directors of Health Clinica Ole, Legal Aid of Napa County,
Asociacion Deportiva y Cultural Benito Juarez, El Porvenir Credit Union, North Bay Regional Center and became a
member of Leadership Napa Valley, Class 1. Oscar’s two first daughters, Consuelo and Catalina were born while at
Napa Valley College.
1988-2005 in Ukiah, Mendocino County
In 1988 Oscar moved to Ukiah to work for Mendocino College as an Assistant Dean of Special Programs and
subsequently spent 3 years as Dean of Student Services. He also taught Mexican-American Culture classes. He was
selected to spend 6 weeks in India as a member of the Rotary-sponsored Group Study Exchange Program and
subsequently became member of the South Ukiah Rotary Club coordinating its International Services projects. At
Mendocino College he started the Latino Youth Leadership Conference and co-founded the Native American College
& Motivation Day conference. He continued his work with the community and served on the boards of the Mendocino
County Museum, Nuestra Casa Family Center and the Low and Moderate Income Housing Advisory Committee in
Ukiah. While working at Mendocino College, Oscar earned his master’s degree from Sonoma State University.
2006-Present in Napa Valley
In January of 2006, after a 17-year absence from the Napa Valley, Oscar returned to Napa Valley College to become
Vice President of Student Services supervising the services offered to make certain a student has what he/she needs
to become successful at Napa Valley College. He has also taught History of Mexico.
Recently, Oscar along with others was instrumental in bringing Hispanic-Serving Institution status to Napa Valley
College and that status brought a 3.8 million dollar grant to develop Science, Technology, Mathematics and Science
fields at NVC with a focus on Hispanic students.
Oscar is currently involved with the Napa County Hispanic Network and serves on their board as secretary. He is
also a board member of the Calistoga Family Center and is involved with the Napa Valley Adult Education Advisory
Committee and the Latino Advisory Council for the Queen of the Valley Medical Center. He served a 3-year term as
an advisor to the Mexican Government’s Foreign Affairs Institute of the Mexicans Abroad (Instituto de los Mexicanos
en el Exterior).
Oscar is married to Zita De Haro Segura and has three lovely daughters; Flor de Consuelo, Catalina and AnaCarolina and has four beautiful grandchildren; Ariana Jenny (Lily), Robertito, Bella Esperanza, Gia and Oscar.
Oscar’s motto: Life is what you make of it – make of it the best you best can.
SILENT AUCTION DONORS
Honrama Wines
Encanto Vineyards
Villa Romano Restaurant
Chardonnay Golf Club
La Taquiza
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
Mary Kay gift basket by Laura Lezama
Massage by Idalia
Mondavi Winery
Avon gift basket by Trina Vargas
Trahan Olabisi Wines
Napa Valley Air Balloon Company
TABLE DONORS
LIDIA MALDONADO
MARIA MARAVILLA
GERARDO MARTIN
ALFREDO PEDROZA
SPECIAL THANKS TO
MIKE THOMPSON, STATE CONGRESSMAN
DOC’S TROPHIES
SPRINGHILLS SUITES BY MARRIOTT
LILIA NAVARRO AND HER N.V.C. BALLET FOLKLORICO
LYDIA SIROKA, FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS
ED GUTIERREZ N.V.S. PRODUCTIONS
RICHARD IBARRA, PHOTOGRAPHER
KRISTIAN MEDINA, VIDEOGRAPHER
SIR-SPEEDY
GALA COMMITTEE
MARISA LOZA– COMMITTEE CHAIR
ANGIE CANCHOLA
GERARDO MARTIN
INES DE LUNA
IDALIA EGGERT
LAURA LEZAMA
PATRICIA MARTINEZ
RENATO DEL ROSARIO
You are invited to our next
Monthly
mixer
Sponsored by: LIDIA MALDONADO
Please come and join us. Remember to bring a friend or two,
plenty of business cards and your flyers!
Maldonado Family Winery and Caves
Old Toll Rd./Lawley Rd.
Calistoga, CA 94515
Phone: (707) 287-4621
August 30, 2012
6:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M.
Napa County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
P.O. Box 6647
Napa, CA 94581
www.napacountyhcc.com
[email protected]
* NETWORK OPPORTUNITIES
* FOOD & WINE
* RAFFLES
* GET INVOLVED WITH YOUR
COMMUNITY
* SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS
Members $5.00
Non-members $10.00
ABOUT OUR SPONSOR
“Forty-four years ago, Lupe Maldonado moved to California from
Atacheo, a small farming community in Michoacan, Mexico.!
Lupe spent many years working in vineyards throughout Napa
Valley. He settled down in the small town of St Helena.
In 1971 Lupe was working for Sterling Vineyards when Peter
Newton offered Lupe the opportunity to join him in the creation of
a new winery in the!Spring Mountain District!of St. Helena.!
Lupe’s dedication and hard work were beginning to pay off; he was named vineyard manager for
Newton Vineyard. With Newton, Lupe found a home where he proudly dedicated all his energy for over
thirty years. His son Hugo succeeded him in 1999.!
Lupe began devoting his three decades of viticulture wisdom to his own grapes. He bought a 10-acre
piece of land in the coolest southern reaches of Napa Valley, in Jamieson Canyon, which he developed
into his own vineyards. Lupe lives in the midst of the vines that he planted and tends.!
Lupe and his son Hugo, a graduate in Viticulture and Enology from the University of California in
Davis, and their families are partners in the project.!
They farm the vineyard together, and oversee the whole winemaking project, as well as operating a
small vineyard management company.!
In 2007 we secured a small hillside parcel, just outside of
Calistoga, with the most amazing views of the Palisades
mountain range. We broke ground and started the slow, tedious
job of drilling our wine caves. We did much of the work
ourselves; from the removal of ton after ton of red dirt and rock,
to the pouring of cement for the floors and the rock work on the
walls. It may be a small facility in comparison to others, but it is
ours. !
Visit us in our downtown Calistoga tasting room for a taste of
our limited production wines. 1307A Lincoln Avenue,
Calistoga, CA 94515. Open daily from 11:00 am to
6pm.!!(707) 942-1376”
For more information about our sponsor, visit them at:
http://maldonadovineyards.com
!ank y"
all who pa$icipated in
%r Second annual Gala, a night to celebrate
P#de
and
Legacy.
Special THANKS to %r MC ‘s
Jaime Penaherrera
Gerardo Ma$in
THE NAPA COUNTY HISPANIC CHAMBER OF
COMMERCE IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT GUSTAVO
BRAMBILA FROM GUSTAVO THRACE WINERY IS
OFFICIALLY OUR 2012 HISPANIC BUSINESS SALUT
NAPA AWARD WINNER FOR TELEMUNDO CANAL 48
AND THE NORTHER REGION HISPANIC CHAMBERS OF
COMMERCE. CONGRATULATIONS!
TICKETS ARE FOR SALE NOW AND THE SPACE IS
LIMITED, CONTACT THE BOARD FOR TICKETS !!!