Greetings to all loyal members, supporters and friends of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (PMAHCC.) I’m writing to you today to open a dialog with you about the future of this organization. The PMAHCC traces it roots to an older organization (Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Western PA, or HCCWPA) the was founded int 1995. The current structure of the HCC, its new incarnation under the name PMAHCC, was founded in 2004.

It is fantastic, that despite the relative low number of Latinos in the area, this small community has had a chamber continuously for 15 years!  For that, we should all feel proud. 

The current leadership of the PMAHCC has been active for many of those years. Our President, Lourdes Sanchez-Ridge, has been with us since 2005, CEO Victor Diaz has been active since 2002 and was instrumental in the 2004 re-launching efforts.  I have been serving as Chairman of both chambers (HCCWPA and PMAHCC) since the year 2000. Additionally we have board members that have been serving for some time:

Carmen Malloy (on the chamber Board since 1998)

Carrie Zayas (on the chamber Board since 2000)

Izach Porter (on the chamber Board since 2005)

Ralph Egerman (on the chamber Board since 2005)

Jim Roddey (on the chamber Board since 2004)

Carl Knoblock (board advisor since 2005)

Also Henry Johnston has been providing us with legal advice since 2000, and C. Alicia Perez has been providing us with much needed office support since 2004.  I do not know what we would do without either one of them. 

We have come to the conclusion recently that it is time to expand our board, and search for others that would be willing to lead this organization and have the pleasure of representing the issues of the professional and small business Latinos in the greater Pittsburgh area. 

The first step in the process to accomplish this is this communication, urging a few of you to consider serving the community for a few years. The current board and leadership will continue serving thru the end of the year, at which time we hope we can transition the key positions of Chair and President. We anticipate eliminating the position of a CEO in the immediate future but otherwise, are in need of new chamber officers and members of the board of directors. 

So here is your chance to make a difference in your community. If you are interested in joining the PMAHCC board, please email me your resume/bio to manich@pmahcc.org.

Thanks again for your support.   

Joe Manich, Chair PMAHCC