LaRed Latina of the Intermountain Southwest.

The mission of the Hispano Chamber of Commerce de Las Cruces, through its membership, seeks to promote and enhance economic growth and community services.

Las Cruces, El Paso's neighbor to the north is the hub of Dona Ana County, a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) of over 200,000 people. According to Real Trends Magazine, Las Cruces is the seventh fastest growing region in the country.

The name Las Cruces, stands as a stark remainder of the soldiers who lost their lives as a result of Apache raids. Las Cruces, which means "the crosses" in Spanish, refer to the crosses that marked the graves of 19 soldiers killed in 1848.

Ms. Beatriz Ferreira, President, Beatriz has an M.S. degree in Education from USC, and a J.D. degree from UNM School of Law. In 1988 she was appointed by Governor Gary Carruthers to chair New Mexico Human Rights Commission. Since 1988, she has served as the " abogada consultora honorari a" of the Consulate General of Mexico office in El Paso. In 1995, she was inducted in the New Mexico Women's Hall of Fame, and received the Governor's 1995 Outstanding Women of New Mexico award. Mr. Fred Rubio, President-elect, Fred was born and raised in Las Cruces, and has been employed by the City of Las Cruces Police Department for the past 34 years. Presently he is Captain of the Criminal Investigations Division. Mr. Frank Moya, Treasurer, Frank was born in Deming, NM and raised in Las Cruces. He attended NMSU and has been in the insurance business for 12 years. He is currently Vice-President of Rio Valley Insurance Group Inc. Mr. Mel Acosta, Board Member, Mel was born in El Paso. He is the owner and C.E.O of Bio-Chemical Inc. His business has expanded into transportation service for Fortune 500 companies in the El Paso area, construction and specialty sales. Mel has a B.A. in psychology and foreign langua ges, and completed post-graduate courses in computer science and business administration. Mrs. Isabel L. Gallegos, Board Member, Originally from Fairacres NM, Isabel has been a federal employee for the past 23 years. In 1988-92, Isabel was the Hispanic Special Interest Program Manager for the Inyo National Forrest in California, focussed on recruitment of Hispanics. Married to Eddi e Gallegos for 28 years, Isabel has two daughters (Stay and Melanie). Mr. J. Joe Martinez, Chairman of the Board, Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce 760 W. Picacho, Las Cruces, NM 88005 Telephone: (505) 524-6500

Mr. Donaciano (Donnie) E. Gonzalez, Board Member, Donnie has been in the educational profession for more than 20 years. He holds a B.S. (with honors) and an M.A. degree in Agricultural & Extension Education, and has completed his course work towards and Ed.D. degree in education. He also holds various h onors including Outstanding Alumnus, Paul Harris Fellow, and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Mr. Isidro N. Pena, Board Member, Originally from Rancho de Pena, municipality of Satego, in Chihuahua, Mexico, Isidro is co-owner of Casa Mexicana Tile and owner of Pena's Pecan Nursery, Fruitland Nursery, and Las Cruces Fiber Glass. He has been an HCCLC member since 1995. Mrs. Liz Ramirez Lopez, Board Member, Liz was born in Las Cruces. She attended the NMSU where she obtained a BSW in Social Work. Along with her husband Edward, she owns and operates Superior Heating, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration in Las Cruces. Mrs. Susan J. Sandersen, Board Member, Originally from Indiana, Susan is a Financial Consultant with Merrill Lynch, a national securities and investment concern. She holds a B.S. degree in Business Management from the Metropolitan State College in Denver. Susan is married to Joe San Felippo, who is an electrical engineer with Allied Signal at White Sands Test Facility. Mr. Frank Vazquez, Board Member, Frank was born in Santa Rita, NM, raised in Los Angeles, CA, where he worked as a general labor foreman in high-rise buildings throughout the Los Angeles area. He is currently owner and CEO of the highly successful Frank's Lumber Company which has been i n business for the past 16 years. Ms. Donna Briggett Garcia, HCCLC Manager, Donna was born and raised in Roswell, NM. She attended Eastern New Mexico University and transferred to NMSU to continue her degree in Business and Accounting. She is an active member of the Ballet Folklorico de la Tierra del Encanto, and is the Assista nt Director of the Ballet's children's dance troupe. She is also Vice-President of the Mesilla Valley JAYCEES. Mr. Santiago Soto III, HCCLC Interim Executive Director, A former HCCLC Board Director, Santiago, is a successful business owner. After completing his military service (Army Reserve,1964-1967), he attended NMSU, where he majored in Mechanical Engineering, and minored in Business Administration.

Check out the Greater Las Cruces Chamber of Commerce Web site for all kinds of business and economic information regarding the Las Cruces Metro Region. Also take some time to review the State of New Mexico Home Page, as well as the New Mexico State University, White Sands Missile Range , and Dona Ana Community College WWW sites.

For further information please contact the HCCLC at:

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