The Hispanic Business Person of the Year (HBPOY) award recognizes an individual who has enhanced the Hispanic Community with a significant, positive contribution, or who has otherwise contributed positively to the economic development and business interests of the Hispanic Community in the Greater Rochester area, and who serves as a positive role model. The contribution may be in the arts, athletics, business, government, humanities, music, philanthropy, science, or social services.
Click here for more information about the current award.
Consider participating in our 34th Hispanic Business Person of the Year Annual Luncheon by becoming a sponsor of the event. Sponsorship opportunities are available at all levels.
Past Recipients
2024 Luisa Baars, MAS Translation Services
2023 Alex Castro, PathStone Corporation
2022 Victor Antonetti, Avalon Roc
[2020 and 2021 – no awards due to COVID]
2019 Orlando Ortíz, Gleason
2018 Arline Santiago, ESL Credit Union
2017 Eugenio Marlin, Ibero-American Development Corporation
2016 Mercedes Vazquez-Simmons, President of Pretty Girl Promotions
2015 Zury Brown, Owner of El Pilon Criollo Restaurant
2014 Mauricio Riveros, Executive Vice President of The Pike Company
2013 Inés Antonetti-Ferrer, Owner of Ines’ Casa de Hair
2012 Sergio Esteban, CEO of LaBella Associates, P.C.
2011 Emeterio Otero, Ph.D., Executive Dean, Damon City Campus – Monroe Community College
2010 Carlos Carballada, Commissioner of Neighborhood & Business Development – City of Rochester
2009 Jacklyn Ortíz, State Farm Insurance Agent.
2008 Hiram Hernández Sr., First Capital Payments.
2007 Juan Contreras, Juan and María Empanada Stop.
2006 Fabricio Morales, FM Office Express Inc.
2005 Alfred Burgos, Burgos Income Tax, Inc.
2004 Larry Fuentes, Superior Interior Systems, Inc.
2003 Grace Tillinghast, Eastman Kodak Company
2002 Bera Jurado, State Farm Insurance
2001 Augustín Melendez, Eastman Kodak Company
2000 Eduardo Navarro, EIC Electronics, Inc.
1999 Luis Rivera Velez, Rivera’s Market
1998 Roberto Colángelo, Bausch & Lomb, Inc.
1997 Flor M. Colón, Nixon, Hargrave, Devans, & Doyle LLP
1996 Jose Coronas, Johnson & Johnson Clinical Diagnostics
1995 Emilio Serrano, Ibero-American Investors, Corp.
1994 Valerio Kusminsky, Pittsford Paving
1993 Peter Colón, Goody Goodies
1992 Armando Santiago, American Recycling & Manufacturing
1991 Ed, Dan, and Ron Aponte, Bedrock Construction
1990 Dale Gonzalez, Gonzalez Electric
