First Latina to head California's Hispanic Chambers of Commerce

Sacramento's Alice Perez chosen to lead the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce

Alice Perez

SACRAMENTO – The California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, th new President and CEO.

e premier organization promoting the development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and emerging Latino businesses in California, announced today that Alice Perez has been chosen to lead the organization as its

She is the first Latina to head the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (CHCC) in its 35-year history. Perez starts May 15.

Perez, who has served for two years as President and CEO of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, brings more than 15 years of experience in board governance and management, working with the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC), CHCC, and local chambers of commerce.

  

“I am honored and excited to serve as President and CEO of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce and advocate on behalf of Latino businesses around the state,” Perez said. “I am committed to working alongside our board members, local chambers and corporate partners to serve Latino businesses and help our communities grow and prosper.” 

Perez’s career includes an executive position at U.S. Bank, where she developed three signature programs that increased product offerings and market presence: Access to Capital program, “Capital!” partnership with United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce/local Chambers of Commerce; “Latina Style Affinity Credit Card program” partnership with Latina Style Magazine; and a National Partnership program with Mexican/Central American Consulates.

The California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce Board is led by Ken Macias, Founder and Chairman of Macias Gini & O’Connell LLP.

“We are very fortunate to be able to recruit a respected leader like Alice to manage our chamber and its local Hispanic chamber network,” said Macias, Chairman of the CHCC Board of Directors. “She brings a wealth of experience and skills that will help us meet our goals, which primarily are making consistent, positive economic and community impacts.”

Perez is an active leader in her community. She currently serves on the board of California State University Sacramento Foundation, Foundation for California Community Colleges, City Year Sacramento, and Center for Fathers and Families, Policy Impact, and is a member of Caltrans Statewide Small Business Council. She is also a founding member and Past-Chair of the Northern California affiliate of political action known as Hispanas Organized for Political Equality or HOPE-PAC.

“Over the past two years the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has grown into a strong, vibrant organization,” said Marcus Gomez, Chairman of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SHCC). “The SHCC board of directors and staff remain committed to serving our members by supporting our business community with programs and services that benefit them. We appreciate that Alice will continue to assist the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce through the transition process as we search and appoint a new CEO and President. We wish Alice the very best in her new role and look forward to continuing to work with her and the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce to promote business in this region.”

For her leadership and community involvement, Alice has received multiple awards. She was recently chosen for the Women Who Mean Business Award by the Sacramento Business Journal and was named 2013 Chamber Executive of the Year by the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce.

Perez graduated from California State University Sacramento with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Insurance.