ushcc welcomes three new board members

Along with the newly installed USHCC Chair David C. Lizarraga and Vice Chair Massey Villarreal, three accomplished business leaders are joining the chamber’s board of directors for the first time: Dr. Gilbert Garbiso of Colorado from Region II, Alfredo Rodriguez of New Jersey from Region V, and Salvador Guzman of Tennessee from Region VI.

Garbiso, a native of Pueblo, Colorado, has practiced dentistry since serving in the military after high school. He graduated from the University of Texas—San Antonio School of Dentistry, is an associate fellow of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry and a fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. While working in the private sector since 1985, Garbiso also has served as Pueblo Councilman and as president of his local Hispanic chamber of commerce.

Alfredo Rodriguez becomes the first Dominican ever to hold a seat on the board. After arriving in the United States from his home country in 1966, he began working as a stock boy in a New York grocery store. With time, he bought his first bodega and soon owned five grocery stores in the area. Since those beginnings, Rodriguez has developed properties for other grocery stores and also co-founded the National Supermarket Association, where he served on the board of directors for many years.

Salvador Guzman, a native of Jalisco, Mexico, holds a Ph.D. in veterinary science from La Universidad de Guadalajara. He is active in many community organizations, including the advisory board to the mayor of Franklin, Tennessee. Guzman also serves as president and CEO of the Guzman Group, which consists of La Hacienda Mexican restaurant chain, La Reyna Supermarkets and S.G. Communications, La Ley 1380 A.M. Radio. He will represent Region VI, which is made up of states from the Gulf Coast region and Puerto Rico.

Front row (left to right): Melinda Guzman, Elizabeth Gallagher, David C. Lizarraga, Jeanette Hernandez Prenger, Luis J. Torres-Llompart, Alfred Placeres, Alfredo Rodriguez. Second row (left to right): Massey Villarreal, Jerry Natividad, George Franco, Eric Carson, Jackie Rojas Quiñones, Paul Rodriguez. Back row (left to right): Dr. Gilbert Garbiso, Peter Granillo, Rafael Sanchez, Alex Garcia, Salvador Guzman.

Gilbert Garbiso

Salvador Guzman

For More Information on the future business and Commerce missions call the USHCC at (202) 842-1212 or visit www.ushcc.com