Arizona Hispanic Chamber names 2022 Business Awards winners
Business leaders and entrepreneurs alike will be honored at the 63rd annual Black & White Ball and Business Awards set for May 7, sponsored by the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Six awards will be presented, including the Advocate of the Year that has only been awarded twice in the event’s history.
The sold-out event that will have more than 1,000 attendees will be held at the Arizona Grand Resort & Spa, and is the largest annual fundraiser for the AZHCC. The emcee for the awards is auctioneer Letitia Frye, while comedian Paul Rodriguez will also make an appearance.
“The awardees represent the best of Arizona and their work in our community is a testament to all that we can accomplish together.” said Mónica Villalobos, president & CEO of the AZHCC.
Here are this year’s award winners:
Entrepreneur of the Year: Lorena Valencia, founder and CEO, Fizz Technologies
Woman of the Year: Lori Higuera, assistant general counsel, Freeport-McMoRan
Man of the Year: Ricardo Carlo, president, Associated Minority Contractors of Arizona
Corporation of the Year: Arizona Coyotes
The National Hockey League team has played in the Valley of the Sun since 1996, and recently completed its final year playing at Gila River Arena in Glendale before relocating for the 2022-2023 season to a newly built arena on the Arizona State University campus in Tempe. The team has the league’s first Latino owner, Alex Meruelo and first Latino CEO, Xavier Gutierrez.
Advocate of the Year: Vince Roig
Roig’s leadership and lifelong commitment to education has helped Helios Education Foundation emerge as one of the largest foundations focused solely on education in both Arizona and Florida. Prior to founding Helios, Roig was the board chairman, president and CEO of Southwest Student Services and its affiliates from 1983 to 2004, where he guided the issuance of more than 10 billion dollars in private activity bonds to fund student loans.
Legacy Award: Tony Astorga
Astorga retired from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona in 2011 after serving as chief business development officer, senior vice president and CFO; he also held the position as president of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Mexico from 1994-1999. Astorga is currently the owner/principal of AZTOR Health Management Strategic Advisors, and served as chairman of the AZHCC Foundation from 2011-2021.
The AZHCC has promoted Hispanic and Latino businesses in the state for over 70 years by promoting economic development, entrepreneurship, and representing the interests of the state’s more than 150,000 Hispanic-owned businesses.