Albany Area Chamber President & CEO Barbara Rivera Holmes named one of ’50 Most Influential Latinos in Georgia”

Atlanta, GA – The Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GHCC) has named Albany Area Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Bárbara Rivera Holmes as one of the “50 Most Influential Latinos in Georgia.”

“My Spanish language and Hispanic culture are embedded into my identity. My personal and professional drive, perspective and courage have been shaped by my heritage, by my family’s journey from Cuba to America, and by my own integration from Puerto Rico to the continental United States,” said Rivera Holmes. “The Georgia Hispanic Chamber’s ’50 Most Influential Latinos’ awards recognize character, competency and impact, and shines a light on the Hispanic influence on our communities and our state. I am humbled and agradecida to be included among the honorees.”

The recognition was made at the Georgia Hispanic Chamber’s 50 Most Influential Latinos ceremony at Truist Park in Atlanta.

“Our awards recognition is a celebration of our community’s impact and contribution to our great state,” said Veronica Maldonado-Torres, GHCC President and CEO. “It serves as a reminder on how each of us has the potential to change the narrative and leave a legacy for those that follow. “

The event was emceed by 11 Alive News journalist Paola Turo and attended by most of Georgia’s English- and Spanish-speaking major media outlets, as well as a visit from The New York Times.

U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff and U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock offered remarks at the ceremony and reminded Georgians of their initiatives regarding diversity and inclusion, especially within the Hispanic community.

The honoree list includes professionals from business, sports, entertainment, technology, healthcare, politics and more. It includes notables such Georgia Power Regional Director Misty Fernandez and Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King. The GHCC also announced the latest inductees to its Hall of Fame, including Cox Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs Bob Jimenez and Brenda Lopez Romero, senior district attorney for the Gwinnett Judicial Circuit.

“Honoring and highlighting the powerful contributions of our 50 Most Influential Latinos in Georgia is our duty and we proudly elevate them in character, impact, connectivity and honor their role in our communities,” Maldonado- Torres added.

Hundreds of nominations were received at the GHCC this year and went through a rigorous process to evaluate contributions each nominee has made. The final selection was based on the degree of influence each person exhibited in their role as a representative of the Latino community.

The 50 Most Influential Latinos in Georgia 2022

Alex Gonzalez, CIO, Metro Atlanta Chamber; Alex Villanueva, Cyber Security Senior Technology Consultant, EY; Ana Maria Martinez, President and C0-Founder, Georgia Latino Law Foundation; Andres Villegas, President & CEO, Georgia Forestry Association & Georgia Forestry Foundation; Angel Cabrera, President, Georgia institute of Technology; Barbara Rivera Holmes, President & CEO, Albany Area Chamber of Commerce; Christopher Pereira, Principal & Founder, Critical Point Consulting; Daniela Rodriguez, ED, Migrant Equity Southeast; Deborah Gonzalez, District Attorney; Diana Trujillo, Director of Events, Atlanta Sports Council; Dr. Felipe Lobelo, Physician Program Director for Epidemiology, Public Health Preparedness Southeast Permanente Medical Group; Eloisa Klementich, President & CEO, Invest Atlanta; Frank Fernandez, President & CEO, Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta; Gina Espinosa-Meltzer, Partner, Hope-Beckham; Hilda Abbott, Founder & CEO, RudHil Companies; Jaime Rangel, Georgia State Director, FWD.us; Jason R. Anavitarte, Director of Life Services & Community Relations CareSource; Jason Esteves, Vice President of Legal, Equifax; Javier Diaz de Leon, Consul General of Mexico in Atlanta; Joel Alvarado, VP of Strategy & Engagement Partnership, Southern Equity; John Duran, Director of Bilingual Relationships, Beaver Toyota; John F. King, Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner; Jorge Estevez, Anchor/Reporter, Cox Media Groups; Jorge Gomez, Marketing Director, Plaza Fiesta; Jose Paniagua, VP & Treasurer, Inspire Brands; Jose Perez, Board of Regents, University Systems of Georgia; Juan Bonilla, Founder & CEO, TCI CRM, LLC; Juan Perez, CIO, Salesforce; Julio Rivera-Montero, Sales Account Manager, Delta Airlines; Lillian Rodriguez Lopez, Public Affairs Specialist, CCI Companies; Lisa Guadalupe Clarke, Founder & CEO, ATL Search Group; Louis Enrique Negron Sr., CEO, The 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Inc.; Maria Guerra-Stoll, President and CEO, PAM Studios; Maria Alejandra Bastidas, VP and General Manager, Telemundo Atlanta; Martha Revelo, NE Outreach Director, US Senator Raphael Warnock; Michael Gorman Hernandez, President & CEO, SSSD Contracting, LLC; Misty S. Fernandez, Regional Director, GA Power; Moises Velez, Founder and Editor, Que Pasa Ga; Monica Altagracia Marin Cruz, Consul General of El Salvador in Georgia; Oscar Zelaya, President & CEO, Blue Point Entertainment; Pamela Peynado, Director of Jurisprudence, Esq, Lee and Peynado Immigration Law Group; Rene Alegria, President and CEO, MundoNow; Shirley Anne Smith, ED, Atlanta Fire Rescue Foundation; Sofia M Bork, Community Affairs Manager, Truist; J. Antonio DelCampo, Attorney, DGL Attorneys at Law; Tony Guerrero, Actor/Producer/Voice over Actor; Vanessa Ibarra, ED, City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of International and Immigrant Affairs; Veronica Toscano de Leger, Government Liaison, Government of Guanajuato; Vicenzo Piscopo, President and CEO, United Spinal Association; Zulma Lopez, Immigration Attorney, Lopez Immigration.

Hall of Fame 2022

Adelina Nicholls, ED, Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights; Anthony Rodriguez, ED, HUB404; Bob Jiminez, VP of Corporate Affairs Cox Enterprises; Brenda Lopez Romero, Senior Assistant District Attorney; Guiomar Obregon, CEO, Precision 2000; Jerry Gonzalez, CEO, GALEO & GALEO Impact Fund; Mimi Woodson, Council Member; Ozzie Areu, CEO, Areu Bros Studios; Sam Zamarripa, Chairman & Director, Mundo Hispanico; Rafael Navarro, Director & Editor in Chief.