The Rochester Hispanic Business Association held its annual, Hispanic Business Person of the Year Luncheon and Expo on Tuesday September 24. The luncheon portion was scheduled from noon to 1:30 pm. The event was held at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center with the business expo portion open from 10:30 am – 2:30 pm.
Former Monroe County Legislator and current Empire State Development Regional Director Vincent Esposito delivered the keynote address. As ESD Regional Director, Esposito works closely with the Finger Lakes Regional Economic Development Council to expand business opportunities and create jobs throughout the nine-county Greater Rochester region. Prior to starting his current position in 2012, Esposito served nearly five years representing the Monroe County Legislature’s 16th District in the northern half of Irondequoit. He also served as Deputy Chief of Staff for New York State Assembly Majority Leader Joe Morelle.
Ines Antonetti-Ferrer is this year’s 2013 Hispanic Business Person of the Year and was honored at the event. Antonetti-Ferrer owns Ines’ Casa de Hair beauty salon on Rochester’s North Goodman Street, where she also serves as lead stylist.
Rochester Hispanic Business Association Chair Grace Tillinghast said, “I am delighted that RHBA selected Ines as the 2013 awardee. Ines is a pioneer Hispanic business owner and one who has established and maintained her business in the city of Rochester. She is only the fourth female to be named Hispanic Business Person of the Year in the 24 year existence of the RHBA.”
The expo featured many local businesses and organizations including M&T Bank, Curves gym, First Capital Payments, Nazareth College School of Management, The Pike Company, La Bella, The Battery, and the City of Rochester Department of Neighborhood & Business Development.