FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Al Moreno

(404) 588-7574  

Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s

President and CEO Sara González Passes Away

ATLANTA (February 19) - Sara González, President and CEO of the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GHCC), passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack late in the evening of February 18 at the age of 72. She is survived by her three children Luis, Ofelia and Isabel and her two grandchildren Paulina and Erik.

 “Sara was a great leader as well as a personal friend,” said GHCC’s Board Chair Al Moreno. “Her energy and passion for the betterment of the Hispanic community, as well as the Atlanta community at large, was unmatched. When I think of Sara, I think of someone who made a difference, someone who impacted the lives of many, someone whose legacy will live on as one of the most influential Hispanic women of our time. Sara’s many contributions to the Hispanic community will not be forgotten. She will be missed.”

Under Sara’s dynamic leadership, the GHCC grew in both endowment and membership, from 172 members in 1996 to nearly 1,500 members in 2007. Committed to helping businesses and Hispanic entrepreneurs, Sara launched the Hispanic American Center for Economic Development, Argentine-American Chamber of Commerce, the Dominican-American Chamber of Commerce and the Ecuadorian-American Chamber of Commerce.

Sara was an influential member of multiple organizations across the state. Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue appointed González to Hemisphere Inc.’s board of directors and the Latino Commission for a New Georgia. Committed to bringing positive recognition to Atlanta, Sara served on the organizing committee for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games.

“Sara and I were colleagues at the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games,” said Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin. “She was a friend whose vision for Georgia included everybody. She dedicated her life to her family and worked tirelessly to form alliances and partnerships for the betterment of the Hispanic community all the while advancing business opportunities for all minorities. As a friend she was warm, open and supportive in every step of my professional life. I offer my condolences to her family and extended family of friends.”

She also represented the Hispanic business community on several board of directors, including Junior Achievement of Georgia, the Atlanta Stakeholder’s Committee, the Atlanta Police Foundation and Vote America.

In 2007, Sara received the Purpose Prize for her creative and effective work to tackle some of the nation’s most pressing problems, and she was featured in Georgia Trend magazine’s “Notable Georgians” list. She appeared in Atlanta Magazine’s “Georgia’s Most Powerful and Influential Women” list, was frequently named one of the “100 Most Influential Atlantans” by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, was recently featured in the Wall Street Journal, among numerous recognitions.

Sara recently announced plans to retire. The GHCC’s board of directors is currently in the process of selecting the organization’s incoming president. Having dedicated the last 10 years to working with Sara and the GHCC/HACED team, Sandra Font, Vice President of the GHCC, has been named Interim President.

“Sara’s passion and dedication will be missed by the many hearts and souls she touched. Most notably, her extended family, the team (her staff) at the GHCC” added Moreno.

Patterson Funeral Home is coordinating funeral arrangements. The family requests that donations be made to HACED (www.haced.org) and Atlanta Pet Rescue (www.atlantapetrescue.org) in lieu of flowers.