Maria Elena's Authentic Latino Plans Major Expansion, Adding New Funding and Key Executive

SANTA CLARITA, Calif., Feb. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Maria Elena's Authentic Latino, Inc. has secured additional funding and is broadening its executive leadership team as part of an aggressive new marketing and product expansion plan.

Jerry Gonzalez, founder and president of the company declared, "We are pleased to announce the acquisition of a significant infusion of capital to help take us to the next level."  Co-founder and Vice President, Victor Gonzalez, added, "Maria Elena's ability to secure these investment funds in a difficult economy is testament to the company's strength and the growing acceptance of our products by consumers."

Along with the funding, Maria Elena's has named distinguished business consultant, Bill Miranda, Executive Vice President. "He will be responsible for development and implementation of Maria Elena's strategic business plan supporting expansion of the company's product lines and its national distribution, particularly in supermarket channels," explained Jerry Gonzalez.

"I am very proud to join Maria Elena's, a dynamic company committed to creating great-tasting, organic Latino foods and beverages, to bring nutritious alternatives to health-conscious families," said Bill Miranda. "With its unique approach, this company is well on its way to making a national impact in health food marketing," Miranda added.

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Miranda is a noted business consultant, leadership trainer, and coach. A veteran of the U.S. Air Force, he enjoyed a successful sales career with IBM and Xerox, and later served as a senior training executive with Data General Corporation in Paris, France. Subsequently, he founded a high-tech firm in Mexico City before selling it to return to the U.S. with the Small Business Administration. At the SBA he contributed to numerous successful business startups.  Bill Miranda holds a master's degree in management from West Coast University, and has completed significant work toward a doctoral degree in leadership.  His popular weekly radio show, Leadership Starts with You, can be heard Wednesday afternoons from 1PM to 2PM on KHTS AM 1220, in Santa Clarita.  

Maria Elena's specializes in development and manufacturing of certified organic drink mixes with authentic and traditional Latino flavor profiles. Among their best-selling products is Maria Elena's Certified Organic Horchata, a nutritious powdered drink mix based on the popular Latino rice and cinnamon refreshment. It is available through leading natural food retailers such as Whole Foods, Hispanic chains like Vallarta's Supermarkets, and online through prominent Internet retailers like MexGrocer.com. Through its association with The Bernod Group, it also offers Bernod's Spun City Brand of Certified Organic Cotton Candy (www.BernodSpunCity.com), another alternative taste treat. The company expects to make other new product announcements in the near future.

Hispanic-Owned and MBE Certified, the company operates a state-of-the-art Certified Organic food manufacturing facility in Valencia, California. Recently, U.S. Congressman Howard "Buck" McKeon (R – Santa Clarita, CA) visited the facility and lauded the company's contribution to the local community.  

SOURCE Maria Elena's Authentic Latino Inc.