06
Jan
2014
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).
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.
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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.
