The Magnificent7

MAGNIFICENT7 - A FEW FOR THE MANY

When a few individuals come together with the common goal to be more concerned about the many who, for whatever reason, are not in a position to take up for themselves—that is the vision of the Magnificent7.

And the mission? The mission of Magnificent7 members is to address the needs of our Latino community by having a presence at community meetings, programs and events where advocacy for Latinos is important and especially where they are under-served, misunderstood and/or unjustified.

The Magnificent7 is part of a new 2012 strategic initiative of the Louisville Metro Government’s Office for Globalization to engage the international population by forming International Councils which represent distinct ethnic communities. The purpose of creating International Councils will be to create a climate for growth by promoting economic, educational and community initiatives with a global focus. They will provide a platform that fosters civic engagement, business connections, and professional growth in the Louisville area. These programs and events are open to all.

Magnificent7 is a Mexican-American network of community leaders which will be present at community meetings, programs and events where advocacy for Hispanics and Latinos is important, and, as one of the first international councils for the Office for Globalization, will focus on creating a climate for growth by promoting economic, educational and community initiatives with a global focus.

Magnificent7's community initiatives are: 1) Civic Involvement, 2) Advocacy, 3) Public Relations, 4) Events/Meetings, 5) Cultural Awareness, 6) Economic Development and 7) Education.

Like the Magnificent7 in past movies, each individual member of the Magnificent7 has a distinct expertise that, with the collaboration from inside the group networked together with support from outside resources, results in advocacy—a unified, never-before-heard voice for Hispanics and Latinos in Louisville, Kentucky.
Magnificent7 founding members:

Gina Buendia

Gina Buendia is editing her BIO information which will appear in next month’s blog.

Saul Garcia

Juan Garcia, President, Garcias Inc., Louisville, Kentucky, known as “Saul,” has resided in Louisville since 1992, but in order to understand Mr. Garcia you must first understand his life before Louisville. Saul was 9 years old when he was diagnosed with leukemia. Saul went through chemotherapy and treatments until he was 11, and won his first of lives battles. That victory was bitter sweet because the leukemia had left him with scars on his face that would never go away. Those scars would help to send him on his journey to the United States. The other people in the town were Saul lived were very cruel and constantly bullied him about his scares. This helped Saul to make a very big decision, at the age of 12 he left home and moved to Mexico City on his own.

Saul lived in Mexico City were he worked and put himself through high school and then college. Saul graduated college with a law degree, but before he could begin practicing he was told by a friend about the endless possibilities in the United States. Saul made the decision to make the trip. In order to reach the United States he had to push himself harder and further than ever before, he was lost in the dessert for 6 days with no food or water and once again by himself.

Saul arrived In the United States in 1987 he worked various jobs picking fruits and vegetables in Fresno, California. He worked on these farms for about 2 ½ years, and thanks to an amnesty for migrant workers was offered United States citizenship. Juan then moved to Atlanta, Georgia where after working in a factory hanging chickens he began his adventure in the restaurant business. Saul started at the bottom as a dishwasher then began to work his way up the ladder.

Saul Moved to Louisville in 1992 were he worked as the manager for another well known chain of Mexican restaurants. In 1997 he opened his first restaurant on Herr lane, and has only grown from there. Presently there are 3 Los Aztecas, and 4 Sol Azteca restaurants.

Saul is also very active in the community. He is currently volunteering for the Mexican consulate. Treasurer of the Mexican American sports Assoc. (MASA), President of the citizens police academy, Leadership Louisville participant, President of the Louisville Amatuer Soccer Assoc., He created an insurance program for immigrants called “El Regreso” that allows them to be sent back home in the case they pass away in the U.S., and he received the Unity award 2011, from Louisville Convention and visitors bureau during the Rose Award ceremony 2011. Saul is also the appointed Mexican Advisor (consejero) by Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior ( The institute of the Mexican Abroad) work together with the Mexican Embassy will be serving during 2012-2014.

Tiffany B. Gonzales

Tiffany B. Gonzales is a Community Health Specialist for the Center for Health Equity. She began working at the Center in December 2010, where her primary role is to serve as the leader for Louisville's Racial Healing Initiative. Tiffany is a social justice activist focused on immigrant rights and racial justice. She moved to Louisville in 2006.

Alex Hernandez

As the Multicultural Specialist for United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 227, Alex Hernandez is responsible for maintaining Local 227’s commitment to being a true reflection of the many diverse communities it represents. By identifying and developing leaders from a variety of different cultures within the workplace, Hernandez ensures that the various needs of America’s newest workers are addressed. Local 227’s Multicultural Leadership program seeks to create a sense of solidarity and pride among immigrant workers, their American-born co-workers and their union for their contributions to their communities.

Hernandez moved to Louisville in 1995 to assist in the representation of a growing Latino population in the meatpacking and food processing industries in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. As a defender of workers rights’ Alex continues to coordinate with community allies and elected officials to ensure Latino workers have good wages, benefits and safe working conditions. He has also worked extensively with immigrant groups outside UFCW Local 227’s membership to successfully give Latinos and other workers a voice at their workplace.

Increasingly, UFCW Local 227 is experiencing new immigrant growth among its membership from all across the globe, most notably Eastern Europe, Africa, the Middle East and East Asia. By using the skills and experience gained through working with the Latino community, Hernandez is working to make the transition into the American workplace a little easier for new immigrants from a variety of cultures.

Prior to coming to Louisville, KY, Alex served Latino workers on staff at the UFCW International Union (1993-1995) and UFCW Local 135 in Southern California (1987-1993).

Yolanda M. Moore

Yolanda has served in the capacity of Bilingual Community Outreach Coordinator at Saint Rita Catholic Church’s Spanish Ministry since April 2003.

This position was created to assist the underserved and rapidly growing Hispanic/Latino community and to provide a welcoming safe environment, as well as a faith base for religious sacraments.

The Outreach Ministry provides assistance to the real needs of the people - orientation for newcomers, housing, schools, employment, medical/legal needs, and adult education.

Yolanda works closely with the St. Vincent de Paul Society dispensing provisions to families and financial assistance to eligible applicants.

Interpretation and translation services are also provided to bridge communication barriers between service providers and parishioners.

As Outreach Coordinator, Yolanda is actively engaged with community leaders to address issues concerning equality and social justice. She also serves as a contact person for partnering with schools, universities, hospitals, and city/state/government agencies to bring programs and information to the Hispanic/Latino community.

In addition, Yolanda is a volunteer on the Spanish Hotline for Opportunities for Life, a pastoral ministry of the laity, offering life affirming hope and help to those experiencing untimely pregnancies.

She is also a facilitator with the Spanish Ministry of St. Edward Church in Jeffersontown, where she resides.

Juan Peña

Juan Peña, human rights field supervisor for the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights (KCHR). He joined KCHR in June 2002. He is responsible for education and outreach services for the immigrant population across Kentucky; coordinates and conducts civil rights workshops, symposiums and trainings and conducts Hispanic cultural trainings for the general public; responsible for intakes from Spanish speaking complainants; handles non-inquiries important to immigrants; promotes and assists with the establishment of city human rights commissions; and currently assigned to serve as a liaison for 29 counties in Eastern Kentucky. In 1998 he received his bachelor’s degree in economics at Berea College and a master’s degree in community economic development at Southern New Hampshire University in 2002.

Iliana Rico

I have accomplished over 10 years of expertise in dealing with different areas within the Supply Chain such as Procurement, International Logistics and Customer Service.

I started my career path with a degree in Public Accounting followed by a Master’s in International Business from the University of Guadalajara. I also studied abroad for a year in Ontario, Canada earning a postgraduate diploma in International Trade, thus my expertise is in international business, logistics, trade, purchasing, and customer service. I started working at Casa Herradura in 2001 as a Purchasing and Senior Buyer. My next move via promotion was to Import/Export Associate Manager in logistics.  I was fortunate enough to visit Louisville shortly after B-F purchased Herradura, In 2010. I accepted the opportunity to come to work to Brown-Forman Corporation as a Customer Service Specialist, and since my arrival it has been a wonderful experience.  In my current role I execute the order entry management for international spirits and wine orders for B-F subsidiaries, distributors in Asia and three customers in Europe.   Assure the product requested by the customer arrives on time, complete, with the correct documentation, at the right place in compliance with regulatory guidelines in the final destination.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

·       BROWN FORMAN CORPORATION, Feb 2010 - present

Customer Service Specialist                                                                           

·       BROWN FORMAN TEQUILA MEXICO, May 2006 – Feb 2010                                       

International Logistics Associate Manager.                                                        

·       TEQUILA HERRADURA SA DE CV,  May 2001 – Aug 2005                                                                                                

Senior Buyer

EDUCATION & TRAINING

APICS, Certified Supply Chain Professional,  Sep – Dec 2011                           

      Louisville Ky,USA                      

Diploma in Tequila and International Business, 2007 - 2008                   

      Tequila Council & UNIVA, Mexico

Post Graduate Diploma in International Business, 2005 - 2006                         

       Niagara College, Ontario Canada

Diploma in International Logistics ,              2004                                                

       ETTA, Traffic and Customs School, Guadalajara

Master in International Trade ,                         2001-2003                                             

      University of Guadalajara, Mexico

Bachelor in Accounting      ,                       1993 - 1998                                             

        University of Guadalajara

Diversity Engagement within Brown Forman

COPA  -  Creating our Path – Latino Employee Resource Group at Brown Forman, 2011                 

Marketing and Communications Co – Chair

·      Participate in  events to enhance the Latino culture in the company

·      Contribute with ideas to promote diversity in the work place

·      Help to increase the engagement of the membership

·      Communicate the programs and events

·      Position and promote COPA with external organizations

GROW  - Chapter Mexico – Growing Remarkable and Outstanding Women,2009                                

Co- Leader

·      Initiate and founding the first ERG in Mexico

·      Organize seminars and courses to develop  women in BFTM

Encourage participation and commitment among the membership.

Adolfo (Ben) Ruiz

Ben Ruiz resides in Louisville, KY, with his wife Sonia who both work together as partners in an advertising business named Adhawks Advertising & Public Relations, Inc. with offices at 201 E. Main St. in Louisville, KY. Their three children: Monica, Ben and Marcella have all married and live nearby in the same area of Kentucky.

During the past twenty-seven years, Sonia and Ben have spent many hours working as volunteers for community organizations that support health care, the Hispanic/Latino population, storytelling and urban youth programs. Both Sonia and Ben serve on the boards of numerous community organizations.

Ben has received a Clio for creative work he did for the General Electric Company as well as numerous other local, regional and national awards for creative advertising work he has done for clients which have included: the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s Special Needs Adoption Program, the Corn Island Storytelling Festival, Lakeview Rehabilitation Hospital, the Lincoln Foundation, Louisville Urban League, the Presbyterian Theological Seminary, the Lupus Foundation, the Arthritis Foundation, the American Diabetes Association, Junior Achievement and the American Jr. Red Cross.

In 1994, both Sonia and Ben were each appointed Kentucky Colonels by then governor of Kentucky, Brereton Jones, in recognition for their commitment to community work.

Born in Mexico City, Ben is an advertising professional who has taken various art, English and marketing courses at the Art Institute of Chicago, New York University, Art Center College of Los Angeles, Jefferson Community College and Texas Academy of Art in Houston, Texas.

Ben's current affiliations include: Chair of the Wesley House Hispanic Latino Leadership Council, La Camara, Board Member of Adelante Hispanic Achievers, Community Leadership Council with Americana Community Center, Board Member of The Brain Injury Alliance of Kentucky, Board Member for Jewish Hospital St. Mary Elizabeth Hospital Foundation, Board Member for Custom Quality Services, Advisory Board Member for The Stewards Staff, Community Board Member for the University of Louisville Latin American Latino Studies. Community Board Member for both Jefferson Community & Technical College System and the Hite Art Institute at the University of Louisville.

Ben’s other community awards include: Leadership Louisville Community 2010 Connector, JFCS MOSAIC 2010 Award Recipient, Junior Achievement Bronze Leadership Award, Agave’s Ferda Porter Community Leader Award, Volunteer of the Year Award and Lifetime Service Award for the Corn Island Storytelling Festival.

Ben’s past board affiliations include: Community Foundation of Louisville, Louisville Science Center, Co-Founder of GLI’s Hispanic Latino Business Council, American Diabetes Association Board Member, Lupus Foundation Board Member, Instructor at Kentucky and Indiana colleges, Urban League Award, Diversity Chair of Ad Fed of Louisville (Creator, Diversity & Donuts), Advisory Board member for Project One.

“Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.”

– César Chavez

Adolfo (Ben) Ruiz

Founder

Magnificent7

502-589-3224

e-mail: ben@adhawks.com

February, 2012