Georgia Hispanic Chamber CEO Sara Gonz
Written on February 20, 2008
Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GHCC) President and CEO Sara González, 72, died of a heart attack late Feb. 18, the organization reported Tuesday.
Under González’ leadership, GHCC said it grew in endowment and membership, from 172 members in 1996 to nearly 1,500 members in 2007. González started the Hispanic American Center for Economic Development, Argentine-American Chamber of Commerce, the Dominican-American Chamber of Commerce and the Ecuadorian-American Chamber of Commerce.
Gov. Sonny Perdue appointed González to Hemisphere Inc.’s board of directors and the Latino Commission for a New Georgia. She also was on the organizing committee for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games.
She further represented the Hispanic business community on several boards, including Junior Achievement of Georgia, the Atlanta Stakeholder’s Committee, the Atlanta Police Foundation and Vote America no teletrack payday loans.
"Sara was a great leader as well as a personal friend," said Al Moreno, GHCC board chair. "Her energy and passion for the betterment of the Hispanic community, as well as the Atlanta community at large, was unmatched. When I think of Sara, I think of someone who made a difference, someone who impacted the lives of many, someone whose legacy will live on as one of the most influential Hispanic women of our time."
She is survived by her three children Luis, Ofelia and Isabel and her two grandchildren Paulina and Erik.
Sandra Font, vice president of the GHCC, has been named interim president.
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