WASHINGTON, DC -- The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), the nation’s premier Latino youth leadership development and educational organization, announced the election of Congressman Joe Baca (CA-43) as Chairman of its Board of Directors.



CHCI’s Board also welcomed three Members of Congress, Hon. Luis Fortuño (PR), Hon. Ciro Rodriguez (TX-23), and Hon. Albio Sires (NJ-13).



Chairman Baca’s election to the post signals his dedication to CHCI’s mission. First elected to Congress in 1999, Baca will lead CHCI at a time when the organization is in its strongest position, with a healthy infrastructure to sustain new initiatives.



Along with Chairman Baca, CHCI has elected three new Board Officers. Carmen Guzmán Lowrey, Director Government and Industry Relations at Fannie Mae,

will serve as CHCI’s Vice-Chair. Susan I. Santana, Government Affairs Counsel to Dell, Inc., will serve as Secretary. Francisco Gali, President and CEO Gali Service Industries, Inc., will serve as Treasurer.



“We need to increase CHCI’s reach efforts to Latino youth, open doors of opportunity across our nation, while creating a pipeline of talent,” said CHCI Chairman Baca.



The number of Latinos in the U.S. under the age of 24 has doubled over the last 15 years, from 10 million to 20.5 million.



Chairman Baca’s strategic vision for CHCI includes five focus areas: growing leadership development programs; strategic events; marketing initiatives to raise CHCI’s visibility; investing in infrastructure; and maximizing board member expertise while engaging sister organizations.



“Our goal over the next two years is to enrich the lives of young Latinos, by providing resources to students and families as they pursue their educational and career ...