Negocios Now

www.negociosnow.com Junio 2016 5 BUSINESS for nearly 30 years. His focus is real estate and land use, government regulation, and business counseling. Affiliations: Mr. Chico is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Urban League and the former Chairman of the Erikson Institute. He graduated from the Loyola University School of Law in 1985, where he was a member of the Loyola Law Review. He also is a trustee for DePaul University and the National Museum of Mexican Art. ELIZABETH COLÓN, President and Founder Entity: Metaphrasis Language and Cultural Solutions, LLC Website: www.metaphrasislcs.com Profile: Elizabeth Colón launched Metaphrasis Language & Cultural Solutions, LLC with nothing but an idea and a bilingual skill set. Her achievements include being the Chicago Business Journal's 2016 Woman of Influence, the National Association of Women Business Owners 2015 Woman Business Owner of the Year, the SBA's 2014 Small Business Person of the Year and Enterprising Women's 2013 Enterprising Woman of the year. Affiliations: National Association of Women Business Owners (Board of Directors), Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, American Translators Association, Midwest Association of Translators & Interpreters, True Mentors, Norwegian American Hospital Foundation. CESAR A. DOVALINA, Jr., Founder President Entity: Cristina Foods, Inc. Website: www. cristinafoodsinc.com Profile: Mr. Dovalina founded Cristina Foods in 1989 as a wholesale food service distributor that is quality, service, and sustainability-driven. He started with a used box truck and his garage, knocking on doors and building up a produce route while offering cooking oils and canned goods that were warehoused in the garage. 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: Illinois Hispanic Chamber A tip of the cap to you ©2016 The Coca-Cola Company. "Coca-Cola" and the Contour Bottle are registered trademarks of The Coca-Cola Company. Proud supporter of Negocios Now Who's Who in Hispanic Chicago 47168 Negocios.pdf 1 5/2/16 4:14 PM JOSÉ MALDONADO, President and CEO Entity: Old Veteran Construction, Inc. Website: www.ovcchicago.com Profile: Last year was a big year for José Maldonado. The company he founded 30 years ago as a 19-year-old soon-to-be father moved deep into the big leagues. Old Veteran Construction, Inc., landed a spot on the $635 million megaproject next to McCormick Place's Expo Center that will include construction of a 1200-room Marriott hotel as well as a sports complex for DePaul University. "It is not only the biggest project I've ever had, but also one of the biggest in the City of Chicago today," he says with amazement. "Sometimes I just sit down and ask myself if I'm awake or if I'm dreaming." OVC has earned a reputation as a minority-run general construction company delivering high-quality work on time through numerous projects for private and government industries. In 2014 alone OVC reported $135 million in sales with projects varying from construction design, remodeling, new construction and improvements to personal training contracts. OVC started with a chimney construction job that paid $200 and has been guided by a CEO who learned from every setback. The company's beginnings included a team of five people in a small room and a truck with a sign that read, "Hard work speaks for itself." Today OVC employs 130 workers and it has a presence in Florida, Ohio, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Wisconsin. "I can't believe all that my company has done in 30 years," Maldonado said. "I feel blessed for having the team I have. They are like my family." José Maldonado is the recipient of the Negocios Now 2016 Business of the Year award." BUSINESS OF THE YEAR of Commerce, Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Aurora Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Back of the Yards Council. JORGE ESCARPITA, President Entity: Escarpita Construction Company Website: www. EscarpitaCC.com Jorge Escarpita is the founder and president of a full service walls and ceilings specialty contractor focusing on the healthcare, educational, commercial, transportation and institutional sectors. After eight years in project management and senior management positions in the construction industry, Mr. Escarpita saw the necessity to launch Escarpita Construction with a motto "to leave a legacy of a better worker, a better community, and a better construction experience." In 2014 Escarpita was awarded the "Contractor of The Year Award" by the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association. Affiliation: HACIA member and supporter of local organic community organizations that focus on educational and artistic development.

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