Noche de Éxitos The gala will be held Oct. 22 at the Casino del Sol Resort and Convention Center. Tickets are $150. For more information, go to tucsonhispanicchamber.org or call 620-0005.
Oscar Lizardi and Agnes Ronstadt Poore have been named Hispanic Businessman and Woman of the Year by the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
This year’s recipients continue the tradition of honoring those who exemplify the chamber’s work and philosophy, said Lea Márquez-Peterson, president of the business group.
“One of the primary criteria we look at is really giving back to the community and their own success in their particular industry,” she said. “It’s very important to recognize the contribution they make, not only to business but as role models.”
Last year’s winners were Jaime Chamberlain of J-C Distributing Inc. and Patricia Schwabe of Penca restaurant and Peach Properties. Past honorees include Carlotta Flores, from El Charro restaurants, and Humberto Lopez of HSL Properties.
Lizardi, a partner with the law firm of Rusing Lopez & Lizardi, grew up in Nogales and is a graduate of Arizona State University and the University of Arizona’s James E. Rogers College of Law.
Along with his 20 years of experience in corporate and transactional law, Lizardi dedicates much of his time to community work. He was named a Top 50 Pro Bono Attorney in Arizona by the Arizona Bar Foundation in 2001 and has served on a variety of boards, including the Children’s Action Alliance, Tu Nidito Children and Family Services, Angel Charity for Children and San Miguel High School.
Ronstadt Poore is chief clinical officer for Casa de la Luz Hospice, which she co-founded in 1998. She grew up in Tucson and has worked in health care for more than 40 years. She is a graduate of the University of Arizona College of Nursing and received her Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix.
She has been previously honored for her work, including Professional Achievement Award from the University of Arizona Alumni Association, the Spirit of Philanthropy award from the Tucson chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and induction into the Salpointe Catholic High School Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame.
Along with celebrating Lizardi and Ronstadt Poore, the chamber will also recognize the following community members at its Noche de Éxitos gala in October:
- The Legacy Award will go to former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona for his longtime commitment to the Latino community and improving health standards for all Americans. Carmona, vice chairman of Canyon Ranch resorts and president of the nonprofit Canyon Ranch Institute, served for over 30 years with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and was a vice admiral in the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
- Former Mexican Consul in Nogales Jaime Paz y Puente will receive the Mexican Public Servant of the Year award. He is recognized for his contribution to building binational relations in the Ambos Nogales region during his six-year tenure as consul.
- Danny Ortega, former mayor of Douglas, was selected as the Arizona Public Servant of the Year. He is honored for his advocacy for the residents and business community of Douglas, which extend throughout the state and across the border.
- The Arizona Corporation of the Year award went to Casino del Sol Resort. It was chosen for its strong support of Hispanic and Native American cultural events in the community as well as its financial support of organizations that improve the health and wellbeing of Hispanics and Native Americans.
- The Offshore Group will be recognized as Mexican Corporation of the Year. The Tucson-based company allows foreign manufacturers to operate in Mexico without the burden of dealing directly with regulations or international logistics, which it handles.
