United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Applauds Aetna for Appointment of Fernando Aguirre to Board of Directors

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) commends Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Chiquita Brands International, Inc., Fernando Aguirre, on his appointment to the Aetna Board of Directors. Aetna, a Fortune 100 company, is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies.

"As the national voice of the Hispanic business community in the United States, the USHCC is a strong proponent of Hispanic business leaders serving on corporate boards. It is with great pleasure that we acknowledge Aetna and specifically, Mark Bertolini, for the leadership and strategic foresight illustrated in appointing Aguirre to the Board," says USHCC President and CEO, Javier Palomarez. "Aetna is a venerable brand and industry leader across our country – We are delighted to see Aetna continually at the forefront of corporate commitment to diversity in its recruitment, its supplier base, and on its Board of Directors. The appointment of Mr. Aguirre is just the latest example of that. Fernando Aguirre is an excellent choice who brings a tremendous amount of knowledge and business expertise to Aetna's Board of Directors."

Aguirre has served as Chairman and CEO of Chiquita Brands since 2004 and has led the company's strategic business transformation, leveraging the strong equity of the company's brands, expanding into new markets and products and acquiring other top food companies to secure Chiquita's position as an international leader in nutritious foods.   Today, the company has more than $3 billion in revenues and sells products worldwide with the Chiquita brand on bananas, healthy snacks, smoothies, and the Fresh Express brand on salads in North America. Prior to joining Chiquita Brands, Aguirre held positions in brand management, general management and turnarounds at Procter & Gamble (P&G) over a 23 year period, leading business units in Mexico, Canada and Brazil.

"Aetna is fortunate to have Fernando Aguirre as the newest member of our Board of Directors," Chairman, CEO and President Mark T. Bertolini says.  "He has a long track record of involvement in global business, an area of increasing importance to Aetna. In addition, he has significant brand management experience that should serve our company well."

A native of Mexico, Aguirre earned his Bachelor of Science degree in business from Southern Illinois University in 1980. He also attended the prestigious YPO Harvard President's seminar for 10 years, earning Harvard Business School graduate status in 2009.  Aguirre serves on the board of directors for Chiquita Brands, the Levi Strauss & Company and is also a member of the International Board of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

About Aetna
Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving approximately 36.5 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities and health care management services for Medicaid plans. Our customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, see www.aetna.com. 

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC)
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of nearly 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States that generate nearly $400 billion annually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for more than 200 local Hispanic chambers in the United States and Puerto Rico. To learn more, visit www.ushcc.com.

SOURCE United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce