New leadership for the Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

The Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has a new president. He is Hispanic of Cuban origin. It will be on January 1st, 2012 when Guillermo “Bill” Vidal will officially take charge. However, the presentation was already made and that is when, speaking Spanish he promised to support the Hispanic Community and the Latino entrepreneurs. Since “I am also an immigrant, I will try to help the Hispanic Community and this new job offers me a way to do it,” he said.

At the event held outside the Chamber’s building James Mejía, interim president, recognized Vidal’s work and the input he will now give the organization. Entrepreneurs and some politicians came to the event, attended the official act and shared some time with the new President of the Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

60-year-old Vidal, who this past January 13th became the Interim mayor of Denver, after John Hickenlooper was named Governor of Colorado, now faces a new challenge. In the face of that, “Bill” as he is also called said “We know our Hispanic Community has grown to higher levels ¬-not only in this region but throughout the state and the nation. Also, this country’s history has shown immigrants have helped enrich the culture, with their new energies and creativity. I believe in that all these cultures have created a positive environment for all of us and that is the reason I decided to join this Chamber.”

Debbie Trujillo, president of the Chamber’s Board of Directors said by electing “Bill” Vidal as president, the Chamber of Commerce wants to reach a new level next year. The Chamber will work to generate business opportunities for its members, and also will try to modify laws which negatively impact businesses and to promote a favorable business environment for the growing number of Latino entrepreneurs.

In another interview with James Mejía, ex-candidate for Mayor of Denver, who also in 1995-96 served as president of the chamber he leaves as interim president, said “The experience of working with the Latino Community and with micro enterprises has been very rewarding. We know how important it is to see the community grow and at the same time enterprises grow, they contribute to Colorado’s growth.”

Mejía also mentioned the importance of now using the Spanish language, since “We are in a small and global ...