Third Annual Latin Business Spirit Awards Gala Scores Three Hits in a Row
This year saw the top honor go to Orlando T. Padilla of General Motors, others received recognition for their success and community service, and education was also a theme of the evening.
Hundreds of people once again turned out for Latin Business magazine’s annual Spirit Awards Gala on October 12, the third such event we’ve held. The evening took place in the beautiful Gold Room of the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, where we’ve held the gala for the past three years.
Receiving the top honor (Latin Spirit Award) this year was Orlando T. Padilla,the director of corporate and government relations for General Motors. Other awards went to Dr. Helen M. Castillo, dean of the College of Health & Human Development at California State University, Northridge (Latin Education Spirit Award – the first so honored); UPS (Latin Community Spirit Award); José M. González, president and CEO of Tadin Herb and Tea Company (Latin Entrepreneurial Spirit Award); and Alex Lópex Negrete, president and CEO, Lopez Negrete Communications (Latin Marketing Spirit Award).
Richard Kline, regional president and senior partner, Fleishman- Hillard Los Angeles, delivered the evening’s keynote address, and Jovana Lara of KABC-TV Eyewitness News in Los Angeles once again served as master of ceremony. Rebekah Del Rio returned this year by popular demand to provide her unique song stylings.
