Board of Directors

Working to give Houston entrepreneurs better opportunities

Our Board of Directors

The Camara de Empresarios Latinos (CELH) was founded in 1993 with the goal of supporting the growth of established businesses at local, national and international levels.

CELH members are mostly entrepreneurs of Latin American origin. Our members include translators, restaurants, grocery stores, contractors, commercial and personal insurance, computing, marketing and advertising, financial advisory, wholesale and retail distributors, gas companies and communication companies, among others.

How the CELH Board of Directors is formed

The CELH Board of Directors is made up of the positions of a Chairman, a President, a Vice-Chair, a Treasurer, a Secretary, three Counselors and an Administrative Representative.

These positions are filled by active members of the chamber and by locally recognized professionals.

Below is a breakdown of the people who occupy each position on the Council.

Adriana González

President CEO

Adriana Gonzalez is the current President / CEO of Hispanic Entrepreneurs of Houston, a non- profit organization focused on education and growth of Hispanic businesses. Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, moved to the United States in May 1980, married for 36 years with Mario Gonzalez and has one son, Martin Gonzalez. She and her husband have been the founders of One-way LLC (Traffic Control, Signs and Consulting) for the past 24 years. Her mission as President/CEO of the Chamber of Latin Entrepreneurs is to promote and support the development of companies, affiliates, as well as educate, represent, and defend the rights of members through the organization. She travels to North, Central and South America where she presented conferences to small, medium and corporate businesses as well as startups.

Francisco González

Chairman

Francisco Gonzalez is a Business Development Executive at LiftFund with 22 years of experience in finance, specializing in Commercial Lending. He is a certified lender with expertise in small micro-loans, conventional loans, and SBA loans. Francisco collaborates with a diverse customer base, including community leaders and senior business executives, demonstrating a strong knowledge of banking and credit products. Additionally, he provides technical assistance to the city of Houston and chambers of commerce.

Andrés Sanchez

Vice Chair

Andres Sanchez CEO & Founder of Evemar Capital is an International Speaker, Business & Capital Consultant for both Domestic and International Markets. With over 20 years of experience in Business Consulting, Lending and International Finance as well as participation in leadership roles as Vice President of Commercial & Business Banking,

Antonio Castro

Secretary

Antonio Castro is a Mexican architect with more than 20 years of experience in Houston, Texas. Known for his passion for entrepreneurship, Antonio has developed several companies in both the United States and Mexico, standing out in the construction, water purification, early childhood education, and real estate investment sectors. As the international representative of UNEFA (Unión Ejidal, Forestal y Agropecuaria de México) in the United States, he leads strategic negotiations between Mexican agricultural producers and the main commercial chains in the country, promoting the growth and competitiveness of the agricultural sector in the North American market.

Carlos Hernandez

Pro-Secretary

Carlos se desempeña como Business Operations Specialist at Grecia Berrios Group.

Pablo Agis

Marketing Advisor

Pablo Agis is a Marketing Consultant and Brand Advisor with over 20 years of experience working with entrepreneurs, businesses, service companies and professionals. He is the owner of AGIS Marketing Solutions, a comprehensive design company that offers Brand Image, Web Development, SEO and Training for Entrepreneurs services. In 2015, he organized a Latin American Forum where he offered free consultations and advice to over 60 entrepreneurs. On that occasion, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs received advice on marketing, brand image and internal organization. In 2016, he founded “Networking Aprendiendo en Houston”, a networking space where training and support were offered to local entrepreneurs. In 2019, he received recognition from the Mayor of the City of Houston for his “Immense Impact on the Small and Medium Business Community.” The phrase that identifies him is: “Knowledge is shared.”

Carlos Vega

Treasurer

V.P. Branch Sales & Service Manager of Amerant Bank . With over 15 years of retail and commercial banking experience in Miami Fl and Houston Texas. Carlos has been working in Amerant Bank since February 2013. Carlos is involved in many community events in the city. Carlos Vega has a Master Degree in Finance from Florida International University.

Counselors

Claudia González

Counselor

Claudia Gonzalez is the Manager of International Leisure Sales at Houston First Tourism, promoting Houston as a premier global destination, creating partnerships to improve the quality of life for Houstonians and becoming a major generator of new revenue for the Houston region.

Claudia González

Counselor

Gladis Torres

Counselor

Since 2008, he has served as Director of Business Process Effectiveness at Comcast. His achievements include:
* She fostered a customer-centric culture by organizing quarterly themed sessions on the Net Promoter System (NPS), bringing together frontline teams and the management team to improve knowledge and accountability for the customer experience.
* Led cross-functional collaboration between divisions, headquarters, and regional teams to ensure timely, clear, and effective customer communication during service disruptions and natural disasters.

Grecia Berrios

Counselor

Grecia Berrios' story exemplifies courage and resilience. Born in El Salvador, she faced poverty, violence, and a teenage pregnancy, turning these obstacles into pillars of her growth. With a success-oriented mindset, she became the first in her family to earn a university degree in the U.S. and later became a real estate agent.

Today, she is a successful investor and CEO of Grecia Berrios Group, with three other companies focused on financial growth. Her leadership has guided many families toward financial freedom. Grecia has become a beacon of hope, demonstrating that with determination and a positive mindset, we can rewrite our history and create opportunities for future generations.

Apasionada por el servicio comunitario, y comprometida a impulsar a emprendedores a crecer. Siempre alineada en el aprendizaje continuo, la lealtad y los valores.

Claudia Baca-Ruiz

Membership Comitee

Originally from Delicias, Chihuahua, she is a Mexican businesswoman in Pasadena, Texas. With a background in accounting and taxation, and 10 years as an award-winning salesperson for General Motors, she developed a strong commercial and strategic foundation.

She is co-owner and founder of Southeast Fabricators and Erector’s LLC and was recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 by the Houston and International Latino Chamber of Commerce.

Founding member of several networking groups, one of them with an international award for excellence, expert in connections and strategic alliances.

Media

Vania Galindo

Empresarios Latinos Magazine

Winner of +6 Emmys and with many national and international recognitions, Vania continues her journalistic and communicative work for more than 35 years serving the Latino community with outstanding topics. @ConCbba, her digital platform on social networks, has become the home of large institutions such as the Houston Police, Houston Sheriffs, Houston Chamber of Latino Entrepreneurs, Consulate General of Mexico and many other programs with professionals who share their talent and experience for the improvement of our city.

Yubi Escalona

Vocera de CELH

An impactful Hispanic leader with over 25 years in insurance experience in Latin America and the U.S., a voice for immigrants and a builder of purpose-driven alliances. Founding broker of Yea Insurance Group, she is an expert in protecting the finances of Hispanic families when their health fails. She is an agent mentor, speaker, co-author, and host of @asegurate.podcast. Strategist and growth driver for Hispanic agencies with a binational impact. A bearer of good news who fosters purposeful leadership and connects allies to strengthen Latino businesses.

My goal is to contribute by aligning myself with CELH's objectives: Education, Information, Support, Connections, and Social Responsibility, based on my identity, and to offer my talents and skills as:

A trusted voice that transforms.
An ally who builds bridges with purpose.
A strategist who transforms the migrant experience into a positive influence.

Advisors

Matías Ríos

Advisor

Business Consultant with more than 25 years of experience. Business Administrator specialized in Electronic Business, with a Diploma in Business Creation. University Professor in the areas of Business Plans, Entrepreneurial Creativity and Entrepreneurship. Founding partner of the consulting firm Bix Plan, LLC with headquarters in Houston – Texas.

Dr. Jay Rojas

Advisor

Doctor of Chiropractic with a Master's degree in Nutrition and Human Performance, is a Corporate Wellness Mentor.

With over 16 years of experience, Dr. Jay Rojas transforms the lives of Latino entrepreneurs by helping them boost their energy, reduce stress, and reach their peak physical and mental performance.

A specialist in nutrition, detoxification, and productivity, he has guided hundreds of leaders to build successful businesses without sacrificing their health.

Through conferences, mentoring, and his digital platform, he empowers the Latino community with practical tools to achieve balance, vitality, and sustainable growth.

International Representatives

Semblanza Tere Ortiz

Rep. Internacional Estado de Jalisco

CELH physical office in Guadalajara: Calz. Lazaro Cardenas 3670 – Jardin de San Ignacio, 45040 Zapopan, Jal.

Born in Guadalajara, Jalisco (October 15, 1974).
An entrepreneur since 1992, she started in commerce while working as a private secretary.
Founder of Servicios Integrales FenHomenal, a company dedicated to the civil, legal and management area in construction developments.
Director of the Center for Business Impact (CIE), focused on the strategic linking of businesspeople and entrepreneurs at the national and international level.
Founder and president of Ambassadors of Peace and Humanization, A.C., with a focus on training, support for vulnerable sectors and development of geriatric homes.
Founder and president of Impactful Women Entrepreneurs
from 2023 to 2025.

Lidia Elizabeth Larez Jutzutz

Rep. Internacional Guatemala

“As an indigenous woman leader, my desire is to continue contributing to
development of my country and serve women, youth and Indigenous Peoples
with excellence, humility, and responsibility, due to the lack of
opportunities that they lack in their communities throughout the interior of the country.”
“Diploma in Women’s Human Rights”
“Founder, President and Legal Representative –AMNNA-Guatemala.
“Diploma in International Instruments on Human Rights
Humanos”
“Diploma in Femicide and Other Forms of Violence Against Women”