The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will ring in the New Year with a newly appointed "transformational" leadership team that will direct the organization's ongoing initiative to expand its services, membership and community profile. On Dec. 17, the AZHCC will announce the appointment of Tony M. Astorga as the AZHCC board's new chairman. Astorga currently serves as senior vice president and chief business development officer for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce also will announce the permanent appointment of new president and CEO, Gonzalo de la Melena, who has filled that position in an interim capacity since June. Mr. de la Melena is the managing partner of Emerging Restaurants Group LLC, the exclusive Phoenix Valley developer and franchisee for Pollo Campero - the leading Latin America chicken restaurant chain.

The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will ring in the New Year with a newly appointed "transformational" leadership team that will direct the organization's ongoing initiative to expand its services, membership and community profile. On Dec. 17, the AZHCC will announce the appointment of Tony M. Astorga as the AZHCC board's new chairman. Astorga currently serves as senior vice president and chief business development officer for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce also will announce the permanent appointment of new president and CEO, Gonzalo de la Melena, who has filled that position in an interim capacity since June. Mr. de la Melena is the managing partner of Emerging Restaurants Group LLC, the exclusive Phoenix Valley developer and franchisee for Pollo Campero - the leading Latin America chicken restaurant chain.

The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will ring in the New Year with a newly appointed "transformational" leadership team that will direct the organization's ongoing initiative to expand its services, membership and community profile. On Dec. 17, the AZHCC will announce the appointment of Tony M. Astorga as the AZHCC board's new chairman. Astorga currently serves as senior vice president and chief business development officer for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona. The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce also will announce the permanent appointment of new president and CEO, Gonzalo de la Melena, who has filled that position in an interim capacity since June. Mr. de la Melena is the managing partner of Emerging Restaurants Group LLC, the exclusive Phoenix Valley developer and franchisee for Pollo Campero - the leading Latin America chicken restaurant chain.

The Board of Directors of the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce (GPCC) has voted to oppose Proposition 121, which would remove partisan restrictions from primary elections for state offices.

The Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Tempe Chamber of Commerce will co-host a forum Aug. 1 on business and the economy featuring the candidates for the newly created Congressional District 9.

The Past Presidents’ Council of the Scottsdale Area Chamber of Commerce will honor four people and one not-for-profit organization at the 14th annual Scottsdale History Hall of Fame Dinner on May 16 at the Chaparral Suites Resort and Conference Center.

Corporate kickbacks. CEOS messing with resumes. The business world has taken its fair share of lumps – many self-induced – of late.

Supporters hope to create the first Hispanic chamber of commerce in the East Valley, but the president of the Mesa Chamber of Commerce says he'd prefer the group simply join his effort.

The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce has been unable to finalize a lease agreement with town officials that would move the business group across the street and into the former town hall building.

James Christensen of Gateway Bank has been named 2013 board chairman of the Mesa Chamber of Commerce.

Business leaders who filed a lawsuit over Arizona’s new employer-sanctions law have found a powerful new ally.

The East Valley Chambers of Commerce (EVCCA) released its 2012 Voters Guide with a message from the business community: permanently raising taxes on Arizona’s families is bad for our local economy.

The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce is hosting its economic forecast luncheon on May 23. The event will include an overview of a business retention program and information about programs and grants to help businesses grow. Also, the Arizona Commerce Authority will present the results of business surveys and roundtable discussions as part of a business retention program.

A key element of the business community is gearing up to fight a permanent extension of the state’s one-cent sales tax surcharge.

A key element of the business community is gearing up to fight a permanent extension of the state’s one-cent sales tax surcharge.

Senator and Ahwatukee Foothills resident John McComish was recently endorsed by the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce’s Political Action Committee among 35 other candidates for the state legislature.

Business leaders and members of the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce have submitted their votes for the Chamber’s 3rd Annual Business Awards and will decide the winners on Sept. 20.

Mesa Morning Live, the Mesa Chamber of Commerce’s late-night-style talk show — albeit taped in front of a live audience one Friday morning each month — hosted its largest audience in the last two years last week, according to Chamber officials.

The Tribune editorial "Q.C. chamber funding should not become permanent" (Our View, March 20) fails to accurately characterize the existing partnership between the Queen Creek Chamber of Commerce and the town.

December 31, 2004