06 Jan 2014

Illinois National Guard Soldiers assist during severe winter weather

By Illinois National Guard PAO

SPRINGFIELD, IL (01/06/2014)(readMedia)-- Two Illinois National Guard Soldiers were ordered to state active duty and another 13 Soldiers were put on stand-by shortly after midnight Jan. 6 to help clear stranded vehicles from Illinois' snow-covered highways.

Sgt. Brent Adkins of Mattoon with the 766th Engineer Battalion in Decatur and Sgt. Benjamin Greist of Mattoon assigned to Company B, 634th Brigade Support Battalion in Champaign, both Oshkosh HEMTT wrecker operators, assisted the Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police to pull three civilian vehicles and five semi tractor-trailers out of the snow and line of traffic between 2:30 and 7:30 a.m.

Adkins and Greist removed these stranded vehicles along the intersection of Interstate 57 and Interstate 70, which allowed an estimated 200 additional vehicles, which waited for the roads to be cleared for up to 9 hours, to continue to their destination.

Another four HEMTT wreckers and crew based in Springfield are on stand-by. Two Illinois National Guard helicopters with pilots and crew stood ready and remain on stand-by in the event aerial search and rescue is necessary.

All 15 Guardsmen are expected to return to normal duty later today. For more information contact the Illinois National Guard Public Affairs office at 217-761-3569.

Become our Facebook Fan!

www.facebook.com/illinoisnationalguard

-30-

06 Jan 2014

Hypothermia and older adults: Tips for staying safe in cold weather

By Kim Calvin

Frigid weather can pose special risks to older adults. The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health, has some advice for helping older people avoid hypothermia?when the body gets too cold?during cold weather.

Hypothermia is generally defined as having a core body temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit or lower and can occur when the outside environment gets too cold or the body's heat production decreases. Older adults are especially vulnerable to hypothermia because their bodies' response to cold can be diminished by underlying medical conditions such as diabetes and by use of some medicines, including over-the-counter cold remedies. Hypothermia can develop in older adults after relatively short exposure to cold weather or even a small drop in temperature.

Someone may suffer from hypothermia if he or she has been exposed to cool temperatures and shows one or more of the following signs: slowed or slurred speech; sleepiness or confusion; shivering or stiffness in the arms and legs; poor control over body movements; slow reactions, or a weak pulse.

Here are a few tips to help older people avoid hypothermia:

  • Make sure your home is warm enough. Set the thermostat to at least 68 to 70 degrees. Even mildly cool homes with temperatures from 60 to 65 degrees can lead to hypothermia in older people.
  • To stay warm at home, wear long underwear under your clothes, along with socks and slippers. Use a blanket or afghan to keep your legs and shoulders warm and wear a hat or cap indoors.
  • When going outside in the cold, it is important to wear a hat, scarf, and gloves or mittens to prevent loss of body heat through your head and hands. A hat is particularly important because a large portion of body heat can be lost through the head. Wear several layers of warm loose clothing to help trap warm air between the layers.
  • Check with your doctor to see if any prescription or over-the-counter medications you are taking may increase your risk for hypothermia.

Because heating costs can be high, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has funds to help low-income families pay heating bills through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Applicants can call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) project at: 1-866-674-6327, e-mail energy@ncat.org or go to the LIHEAP website http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/resource/liheap-brochures. NEAR is a free service providing information on where you can apply for help through LIHEAP. The Administration for Children and Families funds the Energy Assistance Referral hotline.

The NIA has free information about hypothermia, a fact sheet, Hypothermia: A Cold Weather Hazard and a brochure, Stay Safe in Cold Weather. A fact sheet in Spanish, La hipotermia: un peligro del clima frío, is also available. These and other free publications on healthy aging can be downloaded from the NIA website or by calling NIA's toll-free number: 1-800-222-2225.

The NIA leads the federal effort supporting and conducting research on aging and the medical, social and behavioral issues of older people. For more information on health, research and aging, go to www.nia.nih.gov.

About the National Institutes of Health (NIH): NIH, the nation's medical research agency, includes 27 Institutes and Centers and is a component of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH is the primary federal agency conducting and supporting basic, clinical, and translational medical research, and is investigating the causes, treatments, and cures for both common and rare diseases. For more information about NIH and its programs, visit www.nih.gov.

NIH...Turning Discovery Into Health

###

06 Jan 2014

State of Iowa expands government payment partnership with Dwolla; Iowa DOT begins using service for IFTA and IRP

By Andrea Henry

(AMES) - Gov. Terry Branstad today announced the continuation of Iowa's state government payments partnership with Dwolla, the Internet's first payment network. Today's announcement allows carrier customers of the Iowa Department of Transportation to use Dwolla when filing and paying International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) returns and International Registration Plan (IRP) fees. As the only online payment option for the nearly 55,000 annual transactions, the new partnership provides the state and its tax payers a streamlined online process and turnaround time, an alternative to costly card payments and mailed checks, and a reduction in clerical errors and administrative costs

The State of Iowa announced its first partnership with Dwolla in early 2013. It allowed retailers to pay more than $100 million in cigarette stamp taxes through the Iowa Department of Revenue. In July 2013, nearly a dozen Iowa counties began accepting the low-cost payment network for their individual vehicle registration and property taxes.

"Reducing the size and cost of government must also mean a more innovative, business and taxpayer friendly government," said Branstad. "The State of Iowa has seen success in our partnership with Dwolla and the Department of Revenue. Expanding our partnership to the Department of Transportation will help our citizens and modernize the way government does business."

Click here to learn more about Iowa state's 2013 government payments partnership with Dwolla.

"Dwolla's simple payment network brings an effective, innovative means of payment for Iowa taxpayers, while providing increased government efficiency," said Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds. "We're excited about the state's expanded use of Dwolla and are continuing to explore new ways to use the payment network."

Iowa DOT Director Paul Trombino III, said, "Nearly 7,000 motor carriers in Iowa have been able to complete IFTA and IRP paperwork online for several years, but they have not been able to complete the payment portion of the transaction online until now. That was causing many of them to continue to file paper returns, which have a greater opportunity for errors. We think using Dwolla will reduce the number of errors and streamline the filing process for these transactions."

The ability to complete the entire transaction online has many benefits to both Iowa's motor carrier customers and the Iowa DOT.  Mark Lowe, director of the Iowa DOT's Motor Vehicle Division, said, "Because motor carriers had to print the document and send us a check anyway, many of them did not take advantage of the online system. By making it easier and more cost effective to pay fees and taxes, we are reducing the cost of the transaction, both for the customer and the state, and effectively increase the revenue collected."

The online service completes several complicated calculations automatically, drastically reducing errors that can hold up the documents from being accepted. Receiving the documents online will help the DOT process the returns much more quickly and efficiently.  Lowe added, "Dwolla' brings the whole thing together by offering carriers an online payment option that is inexpensive and avoids credit card processing fees, which can be significant for large transactions. I think this is the first of many opportunities that the Iowa DOT will explore using Dwolla."

Click here to learn more about Dwolla and government payments.

Dwolla is a new payment network that bypasses traditional credit and debit card networks, providing online and mobile payments. The benefits of using Dwolla include :

  • Cheaper than sending a check. Dwolla is only 25 cents per transaction or free for transactions $10 or less. There are no hidden costs or licensing fees for its members or integrations.
  • Many uses. Individuals, businesses, and nonprofits use the online service and its mobile app everyday to send money, buy goods, pay invoices, collect payments, and make donations.
  • Security. By simply eliminating the visibility and circulation of this sensitive data between the members of the network, Dwolla removes a significant source of fraud risk.
  • Simple. Simply sign into your existing account at checkout, enter your PIN, and initiate a payment.

###

Dwolla allows anything connected to the Internet to move money as quickly, safely, and at the lowest cost possible. Powered by an accessible web-based platform and its "free or 25 cent flat-fee" per transaction pricing model, the software uses the Internet to securely link mobile phones, computers, social communities, and even physical locations to create a safe network that bypasses traditional card and check systems. This allows friends, families, businesses, even governments to easily send and receive digital payments with one another, like cash, but with easy to use websites, apps, and tools and without the fees and constraints of traditional debit and credit cards.

---

06 Jan 2014

3 New Year's Resolutions That Will Enrich Your Retirement

By Rick Martin
Financial Advisor Shares Steps Everyone Should Take in 2014

For many baby boomers looking to retire in the next few years, the biggest worry is not whether or not they can retire, but if they'll outlive their savings.

It's a valid concern: One of every four people turning 65 today can expect to live past their 90th birthday, and one in 10 will live past 95, according to the Social Security Administration.

For a married couple, there's a 58 percent chance that one of them will live to 90.

With 10,000 boomers turning 65 every day, according to the Pew Research Center, it's something on the minds of many Americans.

"I went into this business because I hated seeing people who'd followed the rules - saved money in a 401k, put their kids through college, gave to charity - get to retirement and find they didn't have enough to sustain them for more than a few years," says Andrew McNair, founder and CEO of SWAN Capital, (SWAN-Capital.com), and author of "Don't be Penny Wise & Dollar Foolish."

"It's not enough to have a certain amount of money in your portfolio; you want to have a guaranteed check coming in, in addition to your investments."

Whether you're years from retirement or planning for it now, McNair says these three New Year's resolutions will be the best you ever made:

• Resolve to plan for expenses in retirement to equal or exceed your expenses today. Many people assume their expenses will decline once they retire - they forget that they're going to have a lot more free time to do what they love, McNair says. "What are your dreams? Will you want to travel? Take up a new hobby? Meet friends for golf two or three times a week? Those likely are going to be expenses you don't have now," he says. Also, once you retire, things don't magically last forever. The rug in the dining room, the fridge in the kitchen - eventually they'll need to be replaced or repaired. Also, as you age, medical expenses either appear or increase. Sit down and think about what your ideal retirement looks like, and presume that it will be for at least 30 years. Make a list and take a guess at what those activities cost - even if your retirement is years away. How much money will you need coming in each month or year?

• Resolve to get most of your investments out of tax-deferred plans. If you're working for a company that provides a match for 401k contributions, by all means, contribute up to the maximum match. "That's free money - you'd be crazy not to take advantage," McNair says. But investments that can be more strategic in terms of taxes should also be considered: Roth IRA, municipal bonds, life insurance or real estate. No one expects taxes will go down - they'll be going up. Uncle Sam already has a lien on your IRA or 401(k); don't let his lien, the taxes you'll owe, continue to grow. Go ahead and pay now, and your future retired self will be glad you did.

• Resolve to have a portfolio that generates a steady or guaranteed paycheck. The ideal financial security for retirement is having a guaranteed income that increases with inflation, McNair says. "I suggest planning for an income that meets or exceeds your annual income now so, for example, if you'll be getting $1,000 a month from Social Security at age 62 and your current income is $4,000 a month, you need to have a plan to guarantee $3,000 a month to cover that gap." Annuities and life insurance are investments that may provide an income you cannot outlive, so consider them for at least part of your portfolio. "You don't want them to make up 100 percent of your portfolio, but they should provide the foundation," McNair says.

It's important to start thinking now about where you want to be in retirement and what combination of investments will ensure you have the lifestyle you want for as long as you live, he says.

"At 65, you don't want to be making risky investments because you're panicking about not having enough money."

About Andrew McNair

Andrew McNair is founder and CEO of SWAN Capital, specializing in Wealth Management and Retirement Income. After earning a degree in business administration/finance, and with two books on his financial strategies already published, McNair launched SWAN later that year. At 22, he was hosting a radio show, What Your Money Would Say, which provides financial guidance to retirees. McNair is also the founder and CEO of the Veteran Benefit Project, which works with veterans and their families at no charge to ensure they receive all of the benefits they're entitled to.

06 Jan 2014

Mallards' Rioux to AHL's Iowa Wild

By Rick Martin
MOLINE, Ill. (January 6, 2014) - Quad City Mallards defenseman Nicholas Rioux has joined the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild on a professional tryout agreement, the Mallards announced today.

Rioux, 27, has scored two goals and totaled 12 points while posting a plus/minus rating of +11 in 28 games with the Mallards this season.  The 6' 1", 205-pound Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec native Sunday night notched an assist and was a +2 as the Mallards secured their sixth win in seven games by defeating the host St. Charles Chill 5-0.  Rioux returns to Des Moines after taking part in Iowa's preseason training camp.  He joins goaltenders Thomas Heemskerk and Ty Rimmer as the third Mallard to be called up to the AHL this season.

Rioux joined the Mallards after spending last year with the Central Hockey League's Bloomington Blaze, for whom he scored seven goals and totaled 27 points while turning in a plus/minus rating of +3.  The durable blue liner played in each of the Blaze's 66 regular season games and has missed just a single game over his first three professional campaigns.

This season is Rioux's second under Mallards coach and general manager Terry Ruskowski.  Rioux first skated for Ruskowski as a rookie with the CHL's Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees in 2011-12.  Rioux scored five times, produced 21 points and posted a plus/minus rating of +5 in 65 games with the Killer Bees.

Rioux turned pro after a three-year college career at St. Cloud State during which he totaled three goals and four assists in 26 games. Rioux played two seasons of junior hockey in the British Columbia League- with the Quesnel Millionaires and Prince George Spruce Kings- before heading to St. Cloud.

The Mallards return to action on home ice Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Brampton Beast.  That game is the Mallards' first Winning Wednesday presented by T.G.I. Friday's.  If the Mallards win a Wednesday night home game all in attendance win free tickets for the next Wednesday game.  In addition, $2 beer and hot dogs will be available during Wednesday night tilts.  After each Wednesday night game, fans can join the Mallards for a postgame party at T.G.I. Friday's next to the iWireless Center.

Tickets for Wednesday night's game and all Mallards regular season home games can be purchased at the iWireless Center ticket office, Ticketmaster outlets, through ticketmaster.com or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m.

until the start of the second period.

About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards in the midst of their seventeenth season and their fourth in the Central Hockey League.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the

United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007 and in the International Hockey League in 2009-10.  The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record.  In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched.  The i wireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club.  For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.com.  Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/quadcitymallards.

-### Quad City Mallards ### -

06 Jan 2014

A Soybean's Journey: See for Yourself

By Rick Martin
Apply now to see results of your checkoff investment

ST. LOUIS (Jan. 6, 2014) - When a farmer unloads soybeans at the elevator after harvest, it may seem like the end of a long journey that was full of hard work and patience. But the elevator is actually just the first stop on a voyage that takes U.S. soybeans to various markets domestically and abroad. For soybean farmers wanting to know more about their customers beyond the elevator, and the soy checkoff's role in marketing U.S. soy to those customers, the United Soybean Board (USB) invites them to participate in the checkoff's See for Yourself program.

All U.S. soybean farmers over the age of 18 can apply now for the seventh annual See for Yourself program. To apply, visit the USB website, www.UnitedSoybean.org/SeeforYourself, through April 4.

"The See for Yourself program is a once-in-a-lifetime experience," said David Hartke, chair of USB's Audit & Evaluation committee, which sponsors See for Yourself. "Participants get the opportunity to see the checkoff up close and the work it does to improve the bottom lines for U.S. soybean farmers across the country."

The program offers 10 U.S. soybean farmers the chance to learn about and evaluate specific investment areas of the soy checkoff, such as international marketing, animal agriculture, industrial uses and soybean farmers' freedom to operate.

Participants first travel to St. Louis, to witness firsthand, the operations of the checkoff and visit local sites related to domestic uses for soybeans.

Then, since about half of the soy produced in the United States is exported, participants will travel internationally to experience how international customers use soy.

"USB believes this program is important because participants not only see the checkoff first-hand, they also have the chance to evaluate its programs, as well," Hartke said. "As a USB farmer-leader, I appreciate the perspectives these farmers bring and hearing their opinions on checkoff investments."

The program is scheduled to take place Aug. 15-22 and USB will cover all related rooming, meal and travel expenses.

The 70 farmer-directors of USB oversee the investments of the soy checkoff to maximize profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers. These volunteers invest and leverage checkoff funds to increase the value of U.S. soy meal and oil, to ensure U.S. soybean farmers and their customers have the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and to meet the needs of U.S. soy's customers. As stipulated in the federal Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act, the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has oversight responsibilities for USB and the soy checkoff.

For more information on the United Soybean Board, visit www.unitedsoybean.org
Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedSoybeanBoard
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/unitedsoy
View our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/UnitedSoybeanBoard

###

06 Jan 2014

Last Minute Precautions to Protect Your Home from Arctic Blast

By Tami Fillyaw

An arctic blast is dropping temperatures in the U.S. to lows not seen in years.  According to the National Weather Service, 140 million people across the United States will shiver in temperatures of zero or lower. As temperatures continue to drop, and snow and ice threaten nearly half the nation, the nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) recommends some last minute precautions that will help keep families safe and comfortable:

Prevent Frozen Pipes

Damage from frozen pipes is the second most common cause of insurance claims in America. The average homeowner will have to spend thousands to repair damage from a frozen, leaking pipes.

·         FOAM: Insulate pipes exposed to the elements or cold drafts. For as little as $1 per 6' of insulation, you can stop pipes from freezing and save energy. By keeping your water warmer, you reduce the amount of energy needed to heat water in the cold, winter months.

·         DOME: Place an insulating dome or other coverings on outdoor faucets and spigots also reduce the likelihood of the water in your homes pipes freezing, expanding and causing a costly leak. You can purchase one for under $2 from your local home improvement store.

·         DRIP: By allowing a slow drip from your faucets, you reduce the build-up of pressure in the pipes. Even if the pipes freeze, you have released the pressure from the water system reducing the likelihood of a rupture.

Prevent Ice Dams

Ice dams are formed when air in the attic is warm enough to cause snow and ice on the roof to thaw and refreeze repeatedly. Pools of water then become trapped under layers of ice that seep under your roof covering (tiles or shingles) into the attic.

·         Seal all openings that would allow vapor to rise into the attic; this includes any holes created from installing light fixtures or ceiling fans.

·         Keep gutters and downspouts clear to allow melted snow and ice to flow away from your home.

·         Don't use salt or other minerals to melt the snow on your roof. These are very damaging to roof shingles and tiles not to mention gutters and downspouts.

Check Your Insulation

Doors and windows are just some of the places that you should ensure are well insulated before the temperatures start to drop.

·         Check for air leaks around windows and doors using a lit incense stick. If the smoke is sucked out of an opening, seal the leak with caulk, spray foam or weather stripping.

Winterize Outside Your Home

·         Lay down a layer of deicing sand/salt to minimize the buildup of ice during the storm.

·         If you have time, clean your gutters so water doesn't back up and freeze.

·         After blizzard conditions pass, lay down layers of deicing sand/salt to melt the snow and ice. Once it begins to melt you can chip away at the layers with a snow shovel to move it off of steps and walkways.

·         Turn off and drain all of your outdoor plumbing including hose connections, pool connections, sprinkler systems, etc. After you've turned off the water, leave faucets in the "on" position and remove any plastic components.

Have Emergency Kits in Your Home and Car

In case the power goes out, you should have flashlights, batteries, a three-day supply of food and water for everyone including pets, a battery-powered radio and a first-aid kit.  Make the same emergency kit for your car but add blankets and a distress flag.  Be sure to keep tow and tire chains in your trunk as well.  If you have time, consider buying a generator for your home, which will help keep your power, heat and security alarms running as well as help prevent frozen pipes.

For more information on weathering winter this season, visit www.greatwinterweatherparty.org or www.flash.org

06 Jan 2014

MISSING - Please help us find WILLIS J. HUGHES

By Hughes Family

The Davenport Police Department is asking for help in locating Willis J. Hughes, 45, of Davenport. 

Mr. Hughes is an African-American, approximately 6'4" tall and 350 pounds. 

He was last seen about 11 p.m. Dec. 21 at his residence wearing a dark jacket, blue jeans and white tennis shoes.

Anyone with information relating to his disappearance, current location or having seen Willis J. Hughes after Dec. 21 is asked to contact Detective Dave Morse (563) 888-3533, Detective Sgt. Gil Proehl (563) 888-2094, or the Station Supervisor at (563) 326-6125.

06 Jan 2014

Wings of Life display takes visitors through the life stages of eagles

By Amber O'Brien

Bald Eagle Days exhibit presented by Modern Woodmen of America

From nesting to an empty nest, Modern Woodmen's new Wings of Life exhibit is designed to delight and inform eagle lovers of all ages. As guests interact with the activities, they'll learn about eagle families and their similarities to human families.

The 1,400-square-foot exhibit provides family friendly, interactive activities. Modern Woodmen has sponsored Bald Eagle Days for more the 25 years.

 

Friday, Jan. 10, 2014

4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

 

Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014

10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

 

Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014

10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

 

QCCA Expo Center, 2621 - 4th Ave, Rock Island

 

Visual opportunities:

  • Children participating in interactive activities while learning about the life stages of bald eagles.

  • Volunteers assisting children at eagle-themed mini golf, coloring and glider stations.

  • A portrait station where families can take their free "Wings of Life" portrait.

  • Vibrant bald eagle photos and trivia signs

 

06 Jan 2014

Ralph de la Vega, President/CEO of AT&T Mobility, to Speak at Hispanic Chamber's Gala Event

By Randy Stalsberg
IA/IL QUAD-CITIES - Ralph de la Vega, President/CEO of AT&T Mobility, has been selected as the Keynote Speaker and Special Guest of the 2014 Annual Gala of the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GQCHCC).
"We are honored to have Mr. de la Vega as our keynote speaker and special guest this year," said Lee Vasquez, Executive Director of the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. "On his path to success, he has encountered and overcome adversity along the way, and we look forward to the inspiring message he will share at this year's Gala."

The Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GQCHCC) has reached a milestone of five years of operations. The 2014 Annual Gala, 5th Year Anniversary Celebration, will be held 5:30 p.m. Sat., Jan. 18, 2014 at the Quad Cities Waterfront Convention Center, 2021 State St., Bettendorf, IA. The theme for the evening is "Opportunities Realized." The 2014 Annual Gala is presented by State Farm.
The evening will be a celebration of the organization's accomplishments, members, and supporters. The event will feature entertainment, dinner, business awards, a silent auction, and networking with colleagues, clients, business leaders, community partners and GQCHCC members. Admittance for the event is $60 for non-members, $50 for members, and $45 for students. To find out more or to register for the event, visit www.gqchcc.com/2014Gala or call (309) 797-8650.
An Outstanding Career in Communications

Ralph de la Vega has held the position of President and CEO of AT&T Mobility since 2007. Under his leadership, AT&T Mobility has become one of the world's leading smartphone and mobile Internet providers and is expanding into new growth areas such as home security and automation; connected cars; and mobile payments. He is also the author of the best-selling book, Obstacles Welcome: Turn Adversity to Advantage in Business and Life (Thomas Nelson, 2009).
Mr. de la Vega previously served as chief operating officer of Cingular Wireless, with responsibility for technology planning, network operations, marketing, sales and customer care. Before joining Cingular in 2004, he served as president of BellSouth Latin America. He started his career in 1974 with BellSouth (then Southern Bell) as a management assistant.
A strong believer in community service, he supports nonprofit and youth organizations, serving as chairman of Junior Achievement Worldwide and chairman of All-Markets Initiatives for the Boy Scouts of America. In 2013, he was honored with the Boy Scouts' highest commendation - the Silver Buffalo Award - recognizing his distinguished service to youth.
Mr. de la Vega has received numerous leadership awards, including inductions into the Atlanta Business Hall of Fame and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund's Alumni Hall of Fame. He was featured in the HBO documentary, The Latino List, which profiles influential Latinos in America. In 2011, he received the Global Innovation Award from the business school at Emory University. Also, he serves on the boards of New York Life Insurance Company, the Georgia Aquarium, Morehouse College and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. de la Vega has a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and a master's degree in business administration from Northern Illinois University. He completed the Executive Program at the University of Virginia and received an honorary doctorate from FAU. A native of Cuba, Mr. de la Vega and his family live in Atlanta, GA.
For more information on the Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, visit www.gqchcc.com or call (309) 797-8650.
-- # --
ABOUT THE GREATER QUAD CITIES HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:
The Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GQCHCC) is the only organization in the Quad Cities created to address the specific needs of the Hispanic business community. The GQCHCC serves the Quad Cities and surrounding areas.
The mission of the GQCHCC is to support, promote and enhance the growth and success of local businesses, and to leverage the community's assets, contributions and unique Hispanic cultural identity to generate new business opportunities. The GQCHCC welcomes businesses, organizations, and individuals from any cultural background to join this community-minded organization.
In September 2012, the GQCHCC received national recognition as the winner of the 2012 Small Hispanic Chamber of the Year Award. The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) celebrated three Hispanic chambers from across the nation for their accomplishments, contributions, and commitment to helping the Hispanic-owned businesses in their communities.

Pages

more

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.

 
 

Meetings Calendar

Kids Calendar

Eat & Drink Calendar