ORLANDO, FL (DATE)- The Hispanic Chamber and Prospera, Central Florida’s two largest Hispanic economic development organizations, are proud to reveal the names of the finalists in all four categories of the Don Quixote Awards, along with this year’s Lifetime Achievement and Hispanic Community Champion honorees, during a press conference held at the Winter Park Library. The press conference was sponsored by Walt Disney World Resort, Wells Fargo and OUC – The Reliable One. 

The Don Quixote Awards recognize and celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of individuals and companies that have demonstrated excellence, innovation and leadership in the Hispanic business sector. The winner of each category will be announced at the 26th Annual Don Quixote Awards Celebration on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at Epcot’s World Showplace Pavilion from 6:00 p.m. to midnight. 

Yamile Luna, Chair of the 26th Don Quixote Awards Gala and Chief Operating Officer of AdventHealth Winter Garden and Clermont revealed the names of the following finalists and honorees (in alphabetical order by category): 

HISPANIC COMPANY OF THE YEAR, FIVE YEARS OR LESS:

– BOLD Hispanic Marketing Agency, represented by its owner, Ana Carolina Salazar.
– Hispanic Insurance Specialists, LLC, represented by owner Luis Vargas.
– Wintermere Pointe Animal Hospital, represented by owner Dr. Pedro Santiago.

HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR, OVER FIVE YEARS:

– CG Dentist Orlando, represented by owners Dr. Carlos Gurreonero and Dr. Susan Cruzalegui.
– Competitive Edge Partners & Consulting, represented by owner Debbie Rodriguez.
– Mecatos Bakery and Café, represented by owner Edwin Lurduy.

PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR:

– Dr. Cyndia Muñiz, Senior Director of Hispanic-Serving Institution Initiatives and Partnerships at the University of Central Florida.
– Diahann Smith, Director of Marketing Communications and Business Development at Florida Dairy Farmers.
– Felipe Sousa-Lazaballet, Executive Director of Hope CommUnity Center.

EXCELLENCE AWARD:

– Dr. Isis Artze-Vega, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs at Valencia College.
– Melissa Marantes, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Orlando Center for Justice.
– Dr. Maria Vázquez, Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools.

The Don Quijote Awards Selection Committee exclusively chooses the recipients of the Hispanic Community Champion Award and Lifetime Achievement Award.

HISPANIC COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD:

This award is given to a non-Hispanic individual who has exemplified support for the progress of the Hispanic community in Central Florida. The recipient is chosen by the Don Quijote Awards Selection Committee, focusing on contributions to the Hispanic community, evidence of promoting Hispanic professionals, executives, and board members within the nominee’s respective organization and the broader community; demonstrated leadership or involvement in the community for the benefit of the Hispanic community; and honors or awards.

The winner of the 2023 Don Quijote Hispanic Community Champion Award is Jeff Hayward, President and CEO of Heart of Florida United Way (HFUW). Since 2016, Jeff has led HFUW, Central Florida’s largest supporter of local health and human service agencies. He oversees more than $50 million in total resources invested in the community to provide support in education, health, financial stability, and basic needs. Immediately following Hurricane Maria, Jeff established a close working relationship with his counterpart at Fondos Unidos de Puerto Rico. In response to identified needs, HFUW sent 5,000 solar lights, 3,000 reusable water filtration units, and 1,000 solar phone chargers. A Welcome Center was established at Orlando International Airport, and HFUW and about a dozen other organizations received and assisted evacuees, who were arriving at a rate of 1,800 to 2,000 per day. HFUW provided transportation, emergency lodging, security deposit fees, and utility deposits.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:

This award recognizes an individual who has made significant and lasting contributions to the development and strengthening of the Hispanic community in Central Florida. This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award goes to Jan Aspuru, retired senior executive of the Orlando Utilities Commission.

As the first Hispanic to serve in the C-suite of the Orlando Utilities Commission, Jan Aspuru has paved the way for many Hispanic professionals in the utility industry. As Vice President of Electric and Water Generation and later Chief Operating Officer, he designed, developed, and implemented OUC’s innovative Fuel Price Coverage Program, which manages market price volatility in OUC’s annual fuel budget of $300 to $400 million. He oversaw the construction and commissioning of the $220 million Stanton B Unit project, which began as a coal gasification plant and was converted to a 300-megawatt natural gas-fueled combined cycle facility. He improved and expanded OUC’s generation portfolio and methodically grew chilled water operations while enhancing the quality and control of OUC’s water supply and management, among many other achievements.

The Don Quijote Awards are made possible thanks to the support of Walt Disney World Resort, Wells Fargo, OUC- The Reliable One, 1st SOS Staffing, AdventHealth, Bank of America, Duke Energy, Florida Blue, Universal Orlando Resort, Orlando Health, Travel and Leisure, VyStar, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Ana G. Mendez University, JP Morgan Chase.

THE METRO ORLANDO HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

For more than three decades, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando has been recognized as one of the region’s leading economic development entities, serving as a central point of connection, fostering business success, unifying communities and empowering Hispanic business owners and professionals to drive economic growth in the region. Hispanic Chamber members benefit from the impact generated by one of the largest business networks in Central Florida. Businesses and professionals have access to events and programs focused on business opportunities, training and community development. For more information visit: www.hispanicchamber.net or call 407-428-5870.

PROSPERA

Prospera is a nonprofit economic development organization that since 1991 has specialized in providing bilingual assistance to Hispanic entrepreneurs in establishing or expanding their businesses. In the past five years, Prospera has facilitated more than $70 million in loans, trained more than 17,300 entrepreneurs and helped consulting clients create or retain more than 16,000 jobs. Prospera currently serves Florida, North Carolina and Georgia. For more information, visit www.prosperausa.org or call 407-428-5872.