United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Applauds Appointment of Latina as National Deputy Director of the Minority Development Business Agency

WASHINGTON, April 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) celebrates the appointment of Ms. Alejandra Castillo to serve as National Deputy Director of the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA). USHCC President, Javier Palomarez, affirms: "Ms. Castillo's appointment to Deputy Director is pivotal for Hispanics and all women and minorities who aspire to leave their mark on our society. In this role she will have a real impact on improving the opportunity landscape for America's minority entrepreneurs."

Castillo will serve as principal advisor to the MBDA National Director and facilitate the day-to-day activities of the Agency. Prior to her appointment with MBDA, Castillo served as Special Advisor to the Under Secretary for the U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration (ITA), overseeing business outreach and development of policy initiatives geared at trade promotion and enforcement of U.S. trade laws. Such experience will prove invaluable to the MBDA through Castillo's integral role in developing and implementing the MBDA's Global Export Initiative for the minority business community - part of President Obama's National Export Initiative.

USHCC Chairman David Lizarraga, commended the MBDA for "Charting bold new paths for the growth of minority business and the selection of such an accomplished nominee."

Castillo previously served as the Interim Executive Director of the Hispanic National Bar Association, headquartered in Washington D.C. and as a key contributor to Latinos for a Fair Judiciary in support of the nomination and confirmation of Justice Sonia Sotomayor to the Supreme Court. Castillo also served in the Clinton Administration as a Senior Policy Analyst to the Deputy Director at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), where she was responsible for developing and analyzing White House initiatives on drug control policies in areas of drug trafficking interdiction, anti money laundering, drug prevention and treatment programs. Before her role with the White House, Ms. Castillo served as key staff for Democratic National Committee Chairman, Don Fowler, and later joined the Clinton Gore Re-election campaign as Deputy Director for Special Projects.

About the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

MBDA (www.mbda.gov) serves minority entrepreneurs across America who are building and growing businesses. For the last 40 years, MBDA has promoted the growth and competitiveness of minority-owned firms. These firms are then better equipped to create jobs, impact local economies and compete successfully in domestic and global marketplaces. Since MBDA's creation in 1969, minority businesses have grown from 300,000 to nearly 4 million. Recent Census data indicates minority firms generate more than $661 billion in annual revenues and employ nearly 5 million worker Since MBDA's creation in 1969, minority businesses have grown from 300,000 to nearly 4 million. Recent Census data indicates minority firms generate more than $661 billion in annual revenues and employ nearly 5 million workers.

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

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.

For more information, visit www.ushcc.com.

SOURCE United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce