Negocios Now

www.negociosnow.com 4 Julio 2020 BUSINESS CHICAGO H I S P A N I C P O W E R H I S P A N I C P O W E R CHICAGO READ MORE AT NEGOCIOSNOW.COM LILLY AGUILAR CEO Solutions Cleaning Knowing the high demand for minority women entrepreneurs in the construction industry, Aguilar was inspired to venture out on her own. Using her knowledge, skills and current network, she founded her company in March 2013, specializing in providing post-construction cleaning. Previous to pursuing her dream of self-employment, she worked in the construction industry for 15 years. She focused on taking every little opportunity that came along, always keeping in mind that today's challenge brings a reward tomorrow. RAYMOND "RAY" ARIAS Managing Partner Arias Information Solutions LLC Arias is an entrepreneur and sales professional who has spent more than 20 years implementing and selling digital systems for government and business. His current role is managing partner for Arias Information Solutions LLC. He spent his early corporate life as telecommunications engineer, operations director, TQM trainer, and managing engineer. Arias earned an MBA in finance from the Illinois Institute of Technology and has earned certifications and credentials from MIT, DePaul, University of Cincinnati and most recently the Northwestern Sales Institute. GEORGE BURCIAGA Managing Partner IGNITE Cities Burciaga has a strong commitment to community service and development. He started the Follow Me program, in which he visits Chicago-area high schools and encourages students to attend college. Burciaga also participates in the annual Chicagoland Entrepreneurial Center's Future Founders program. He was selected to serve as a Chicago United board member, and is a current member of the Economic Club of Chicago, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and several other national advisory councils. JAIME CRUZ Founder and President Vargas Group Jamie Cruz is the founder and president of the Vargas Group Inc., a professional business solutions company. He has more than 22 years of experience driving sales growth in the professional business solutions industry and government contracts. Cruz expanded and diversified the Vargas Group, from a federal contractor in administrative support services, to specialized professional services, ground transportation management, custodial and wellness cleaning services. Prior to joining the Vargas Group, Cruz was general manager of Gray Personnel. ADRIAN J. DeLEON Co-founder & CEO Innovare DeLeón is a former engineering and social science scholar turned entrepreneur. In 2017, after working for Chicago Public Schools and at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, DeLeon teamed up with his younger brother Fernando DeLeon, who was working at Google, and a former CPS colleague Nick Freeman to launch Innovare - Social Innovation Partners to improve educational outcomes in underperforming schools through a software application. Innovare has now worked with nearly 60 organizations across the United States and Mexico. CESAR DOVALINA JR. CEO Cristina Foods Dovalina founded Cristina Foods in 1989 as a wholesale food service distributor driven by quality, service, and sustainability. In 2011 the company settled into what is currently the only LEED Certified-Platinum food distribution facility in the country, located in the heart of Chicago's Back of the Yards neighborhood. Affiliations include: Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Aurora Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Back of the Yards Council. RYAN "ROTTY" GARCILAZO Founder & CEO The Rehab Depot Ryan Garcilazo is the 38-year- old founder and CEO of The Rehab Depot Inc. in the niche field of real estate redevelopment. He owned The Garcilazo Group, one of the largest general contracting redevelopment companies in Chicago. During the last 15 years, his company has flipped more than 1,000 properties. He has consulted on more than $250 million in real estate redevelopment and has trained more than 1,000 investors with the largest rehab academy in the world. RENATA GOMES Founder World One Realty After working as a loan officer and later as a realtor, Renata identified the need for a personalized service tailored for the Hispanic community of Chicago and its suburbs. With customer service in mind, Renata started World One Realty in 2006. She has helped hundreds of homeowners, tenants, investors and developers offering her comprehensive knowledge and extensive network of supplementary professionals. In this regard Renata's distinguished rapport of competencies encompasses every aspect of real estate transactions turning a daunting process into an effortless experience. "Helping clients realize their dreams is the most fulfilling aspect of my career" she adds. LAURA HERRERA Owner/ Operator McDonald's Franchise Herrera is a second- generation McDonald's franchisee, who started her McDonald's career in 1995 working at her family's first McDonald's restaurant in Harwood Heights, Illinois. She became an owner-operator in 2009 and is currently serving her third term on the McDonald's Owner Operators of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Marketing Board (MOCNI). In her 25-year career with McDonald's, Laura has helped grow the family business to its current size of thirteen restaurants located in Chicago and the Northwest suburbs with 550 employees. MAYRA KHAN Manager Director Nova Driving School Mayra Khan has led the expansion of classroom and behind-the-wheel training programs since she took over as school director in 2009, primarily through partnerships with high schools, corporations, and nonprofit groups. In the last three years Nova Driving School has been recognized as one of the nation's fastest-growing businesses. Arthur Zayas Miller is president and CEO of MZI Group Inc., which he founded in 1999. MZI is a Latino- and veteran-owned electrical construction company specializing in power and utility work. Before Miller started his business, he worked for Fortune 500 corporations for more than 10 years as an operations manager. He served in the United States Army and is actively involved with United States Army veteran organizations such as Helmet to Hardhats and Wounded Warrior Program. He is a distinguished board member of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, National Latino Education Institute, and Loyola University Medical Center. Miller is also involved in many philanthropic endeavors for cystic fibrosis and juvenile diabetes, with The Foundation for Prader- Willi Research, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. He works at connecting communities and mentors small businesses. Zayas is a Board of Directors of Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD Arthur Zayas Miller President & CEO MZI Group Inc. TANYA LAWRENCE Owner/ Operator McDonald's Franchise Lawrence is a second- generation franchisee who started her McDonald's career in 1991 at her family's first McDonald's restaurant in Harwood Heights. In 2005 she became an owner- operator. In 29 years she has helped grow her family's McDonald's restaurants to its current size of 13 with 550 employees. She recently completed her fourth term on the board of directors for the McDonald's Owner Operators of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Marketing Board and was recently elected treasurer for the organization. JORGE LEON Partner Michael Best & Friedrich LLP Leon has counseled clients in a variety of industries on the design, establishment, and maintenance of retirement plans. During the past 20 years, his work has been influential in the development of new tax policy with the IRS and has ensured that workers across the country can meet their retirement needs. Currently he serves as the firm's Diversity & Inclusion Committee chair. Leon was recently recognized by the Illinois Super Lawyers list in the area of employee benefits. RUBY MADRIGAL Owner, General Manager of K9 University Chicago Founder of Merida Medical Tourism Madrigal was born in the Little Village neighborhood of Chicago. Both of her parents immigrated to Chicago from Monterrey, Mexico. As the owner of K9 University Chicago, she takes pride in providing employment for a diverse staff that consists of 75% Hispanic and African American employees. As a business owner with more than 30 full-time employees, she found employee retention often depending on healthcare benefits. By leveraging long term relationships in Mexico, she created a customized medical tourism service. RICO MARTÍNEZ President & CEO Water Integrated Treatment Systems As the president and CEO, Martinez is responsible for running all facets of the business. Under his leadership, Water Integrated Treatment Systems has been fortunate to enjoy rapid growth and profitability. Before establishing Water Integrated Treatment Systems, Rico held various senior management positions in wastewater and environmental services for more than 25 years. Additionally, he designed and built more than six treatment facilities across the

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