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The Briefcase

DATOS UPDATE

The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and presenting sponsor Salt River Project have signed up Phil Archer, director, marketing to Hispanics for the Zyman Group, to be the keynote speaker for SRP Focus on Arizona’s Hispanic Market, or DATOS 2005. The event will be held Oct. 11, 7:30 – 9:30 a.m. at the Arizona Biltmore. SRP Focus on Arizona’s Hispanic Market will provide an overview of this market nationally as well as providing demographic information on Arizona’s Hispanic population. For more information, call (602)279-1800.

FIRST AMERICAN MARKETING

First American Title Insurance Co. has launched an Hispanic marketing program to help increase homeownership opportunities among Maricopa County’s Latino community. The program will help address the needs of Hispanic homebuyers by assisting real estate practitioners in better serving this growing homebuyer segment. The program consists of consumer-focused outreach and educational events, specialized programs for real estate professionals, and the hiring and training of key First American staff to better serve ethnically diverse communities. “Working in concert with our industry partners, First American can potentially help create thousands of new homeowners within the Phoenix Hispanic community,” said Olivia “Oli” Rodriguez, Arizona emerging markets director for First American Title Insurance Co.

EL SOL JOINS SAM’S

Chandler restaurateur Obed De La Cruz’s has placed his cuisine at Sam’s Club. De la Cruz owns El Sol Mexican Cafe and Bakery and El Zócalo Mexican Grille in Chandler. Sam’s will stock the businessman’s salsa, pollo asado and carne asada at the retail giant. For information call, (480) 600-2985.

$1B LOAN FUND

U.S. Bank and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce on Sept. 29 launched a $1 billion national loan program aimed at Hispanic-owned small businesses. Isauro “Izzy” Gonzalez, the new vice president of multicultural market sales for U.S. Bank’s Arizona and Nevada operations, will manage the program. Izzy formerly was head of the Arizona Minority Small Business Development Center. ¡Capital! is a national loan program lending to small businesses in high-growth Hispanic markets nationwide. “The ¡Capital! program is designed to help small businesses grow and be successful,” Gonzalez said. U.S. Bank recently moved its regional operations to 101 N. First Ave.in Phoenix. It operates 51 branches in Arizona.

WELLS FARGO LOANS

Wells Fargo & Co. has surpassed its goal to lend $3 billion to Latino businesses, and will expand this goal to $5 billion by 2010. Wells Fargo’s Latino Business Services program is an outreach and education program dedicated to connecting Latino business owners with financial services.

ALLSTATE HIRING

Allstate Insurance Company is hiring in Arizona for employee and independent agent positions. The insurance company is recognized by Hispanic Business magazine as one of the “Top 40 Best Companies for Hispanics to Work.” Melba Vivaldelli, Allstate southwest region human resources manager, says the company has many opportunities available. “We are looking for individuals with a strong customer focus, “ said Vivadelli. “We are a company that believes in understanding and respecting diverse opinions, thoughts, cultures and people in order to make us better and more effective.” Allstate has over 400 employees and 300 agents and personal financial representatives in Arizona. For more info about career opportunities at Allstate, visit www.allstte.com/careers.


FOOD CITY ADDS EATS

Food City, a chain of 61 supermarkets in Arizona owned by Bashas’ Inc., opens its first in-store restaurant at its Chandler location, which recently underwent a $2 million remodel..The restaurant, Su Cocina Dos Ranchitos, has late-night dining, a stage for mariachi music and foods from all regions of Mexico. Tom Swanson, vice president and general manager of Food City, said if the new eatery succeeds, the model will be duplicated at other stores.

SRP WINS

Salt River Project won a first place Gold Award for the television broadcast category in New York’s ASTRID Awards. The award recognizes the best in international design and communications. The “Sonidos” branding campaign was produced by SRP and Phoenix-based ad firm Molina/Lopez, which is in its first year of business. Earlier this year, the campaign received a Gold award from the Phoenix Ad Club in the original composition category.