FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 9, 2003
Governor Strengthens Commission’s Charter and Names Hector Torres Director
>SILVER SPRING -- Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., today introduced the first eleven members of the Governor’s Commission on Hispanic Affairs and named Hector Torres the Commission’s Executive Director. Governor Ehrlich also strengthened the Commission’s charter by issuing Executive Order 01.01.2003.19, revitalizing a Commission charged with advancing issues of importance to Maryland’s Hispanic community.
>“The Ehrlich Administration stands for empowerment, inclusiveness, and opportunity for every member of Maryland’s Hispanic community,” said Governor Ehrlich. “Today we introduce eleven exceptional individuals who have joined my effort to advance business, social, and cultural development within Maryland’s Hispanic population. I am truly excited about the level of commitment and talent these individuals bring to the Commission.”
>Governor Ehrlich named Mr. Hector Torres Executive Director of the Commission. Mr. Torres was Battalion Chief and Public Information Officer for the Baltimore City Fire Department, where he served for 29 years. He most recently served as Director of the Hispanic Apostolate and Immigration Legal Services programs at the Associated Catholic Charities. Mr. Torres, 51, is a resident of Baltimore City.
>Governor Ehrlich’s Executive Order dramatically strengthens the Hispanic Commission’s charter. The new order makes the Commission the advisory body to the Governor, the General Assembly, and agencies within the executive branch on issues relating to the Hispanic community. The Commission will also review and comment on any proposed federal, state, or local legislation, regulations, or policies that directly affect Maryland’s Hispanic population. The new order also provides for a total of 17 members who will now meet a minimum of six times a year. The Commission will encourage public attendance at each meeting.
>New commission members include:
>Mr. Hector Torres, Executive Director: Mr. Torres was Battalion Chief and Public Information Officer for the Baltimore City Fire Department, where he served for 29 years. He most recently served as Director of Hispanic Apostolate and Immigration Legal Services at Associated Catholic Charities.
>Mr. Mauricio E. Barreiro: Mr. Barreiro has been a Maryland and District of Columbia civil trial attorney for over 16 years, being the first Hispanic to earn a position as a litigation principal at a major downtown law firm. He started his own minority-owned law firm, Mauricio E. Barreiro, LLC, in 2001. Mr. Barreiro has been a member of the Baltimore County Executive’s Hispanic Advisory Council. Mr. Barriero will serve as Chair of the Commission.
>Mr. Jorge A. Marini: Mr. Marini is a Financial Services professional with Wachovia Bank in Catonsville, Maryland. Mr. Marini has extensive experience in financial services, sales marketing, and customer service.
>Reverend Christopher Willson LaBarge: Rev. LaBarge has a long and varied list of professional experiences that include working as an educator, a Missionary in Sierra Leone, and past Chaplain for a fire department in Wilmington, Delaware. Reverend LaBarge currently pastors the Immaculate Conception Church in Marydel, Maryland.
>Mr. Luis A. Hernandez, Jr.: Mr. Hernandez is currently employed with the Baltimore City Health Department where he serves as Hispanic Community Liaison.
>Ms. Marianela R. Del Pino-Rivera: Ms. Del Pino-Rivera, born in Cuba, has provided accounting and financial services to small businesses and non-profit organizations for over 18 years as a Certified Public Accountant. She graduated from the University of Maryland and obtained her MBA degree from the University of Rochester. She is the co-founder of Learning Power, Inc., a 501© (3) corporation that provides educational skill development and tutoring to disadvantaged youth in the Bowie area.
>Ms. Delia Gnall: Ms. Gnall currently serves
as a Bilingual Outreach Services Coordinator for the Mid-Shore Council on Family
Violence. Ms. Gnall came to the United States from Spain 29 years ago. She currently
resides on the Eastern Shore.
Mrs. Leonor M. Grzymala: Mrs. Grzymala is a naturalized U.S.
Citizen of Mexican descent. She was raised in Texas, but has lived in Maryland
since 1988. She resides in Eldersburg, Maryland and has actively served the
Carroll County community. She possesses extensive insurance expertise, serving
as a licensed Maryland Resident agent in property, casualty, life and health
insurance since 1986.
>Mr. Jaime Schwartzberg, P.E.: Born and raised in LaPaz, Bolivia, Mr. Schwartzberg is a Structural Engineer, and holds engineering licenses in Maryland, the District of Columbia, Virginia, Florida, and Delaware. He is the owner of Jaime Schwartzberg, P.E. Structural Engineers, which provides structural engineering consulting services.
>John Carl Fiastro, Jr.: The son of a Cuban-born mother, Mr. Fiastro is a native Baltimorean, who has extensively studied, experienced and celebrated the culture and language of his heritage.
>Mary A. Schumaker: Ms. Schumaker is currently the Board President of Centro de Ayuda, a non-profit entity in Anne Arundel County. She has 18 years of service in the Anne Arundel County Detention Center as a Counselor to inmates.
>Marietta Moya-Dunn: Ms. Moya-Dunn is an Account Executive with DHL Express and has been an advocate of the Hispanic community for years. A resident of Anne Arundel County, she is a member of the Centro de Ayuda program and a volunteer for Partners in Care.
>Ex-Officio Members:
>Ms. Carmen Pratt: Ms. Pratt is a representative from the Maryland State Department of Human Resources. She is the Executive Coordinator for the Governor's Commission on Asian Pacific Affairs, the Migrant and Seasonal Farm Workers Commission, the Commission for Women and the Hispanic Commission. Ms. Pratt, a native from Colombia, worked for Congressman Wayne Gilchrest- MD-1 as a District Representative for issues related to Immigration, Public Housing and Education.
>Ms. Lilly Cubano: Ms. Cubano is a representative from the Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. She currently directs HIV Prevention Programs for Hispanics for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene/AIDS Administration. She came to the United States from Puerto Rico 16 years ago. Ms. Cubano studied in New York and holds a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology.
>Michelle R. Wright: Ms. Wright is a representative from the Maryland State Department of Housing and Community Development. She is currently serving as the Marketing Team Leader for the Community Development Administration Mortgage Program at DHCD. She has over 15 year of experience in housing and community development and economic development working with State of Maryland and the Montgomery County Government.
>Mr. Jorge Austrich: Mr. Austrich is a representative from the Maryland State Department of Business and Economic Development, where he works in the Office of Manufacturing, Transportation & Distribution.
>When the Commission is completely staffed, a total of 17 commissioners will be in place, an increase from the 15 provided by the original order. A copy of the Executive Order can be obtained at http://www.gov.state.md.us/executiveorders.asp