Letter From La Editora
Saludos!
It’s a great time a year – I love the beginning
of a new year because it’s cool in the AM,
warm during the day, chili in the evening!
Yipppppeeeeee! This issue represents the
14th year of publishing Latin Times Magazine….. Originally C.L.U.B., which stood
for City of Latin Urban Beats! It seems 14
Years is a long time huh, pero I can assure
you that even after 14 years in business, and
as a community leader, I am continually
learning.
As of January 2015, I am no longer serving
as the president of the Hispanic Chamber
of Commerce of Tampa Bay, after 7 years
on the board, with the last four (4) of those
years serving as the Chair/President of first
the Tampa Latin Chamber, and then the
“merged” Hispanic Chamber of Commerce,
it is now time to focus on my business. It
was a bitter sweet good-bye that I bid to
the Hispanic Chamber, because I truly
love serving my community, but I also felt
a sense of pride in the accomplishments of
that journey, pride in the knowledge that
my efforts as Chair/President made a true
difference to the union between the chambers –and to the growth of the united chamber.
During my term as president, the Chamber acquired its own office in the Westshore business area of Tampa. I also had the
pleasure of meeting many wonderful people and developing lasting friendships and
business relationships. During that time,
the Chambers membership grew in size by
more than 100%, and we were able to present a great membership directory and website for members and visitors to visit and
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Latin Times Magazine
utilize. The Hispanic Chamber monthly
luncheons which were held on the last
Tuesday of every month were held at the
Columbia in Ybor City, and each luncheon
successfully hosted over 50 guests and exciting speakers!
I have really enjoyed being a community
leader, mainly because I love being a part
of helping Hispanic Businesses to succeed,
I will miss being the president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Tampa
Bay, but I am relieved at the new chapters
opening up in my life and I am ready to
give my business “Latin Times Media, Inc.,
Latin Times International Ministries, Inc.,
and the Cuban Sandwich Festival” my full
attention –I think most of you can agree
that these projects deserve it.
I would like to congratulate the new president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Tampa Bay, Mrs. Ileana Martin,
and the new Vice-President; 1