HISTORY OF THE DON QUIJOTE AWARDS
The Don Quijote Awards gala was first conceived in 1997 by a group of visionaries from the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando and Prospera. As Central Florida’s Hispanic community grew rapidly, these leaders saw the need to recognize the hard-working, innovative business owners and professionals who exhibited the spirit of Don Quijote: visionaries, dreamers, and businessmen and women willing to take risks to achieve those dreams.
The two organizations have teamed up to honor leaders, business owners, and professionals who demonstrate outstanding success, leadership, and service in our community. The Don Quijote Awards gala is one of the most prestigious events in Central Florida, and has received recognition from the Florida Association of Festivals and Events and the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals as Best Event of the Year.
Dress to impress in Black Tie Formal attire. Glamourous, long gowns for women and tuxedos or formal suits for men.
Please fill out the form on the Sponsors menu option above for more details on how you can support the event.
Secure your spot by purchasing tickets online through the “TICKETS” menu option above. Please select the type and number of items you wish to purchase, complete your registration, and proceed with payment. Thank you in advance for supporting the missions of the Hispanic Chamber and Prospera through your purchase!
For more information, please fill out our form on the “CONTACT US” menu option above. We are happy to assist with questions or special requests.
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – FIVE YEARS OR LESS
BOLD Digital Marketing Studio
Ana Carolina Salazar, Owner
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN FIVE YEARS
Competitive Edge Partners & Consulting LLC.
Debbie Rodriguez, Owner
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Institution Initiatives and Partnerships
Dr. Cyndia Muñiz
Senior Director of Hispanic Serving
HISPANIC COMMUNITY CHAMPION
Heart of Florida United Way (HFUW)
Jeff Hayward, President and CEO
EXCELLENCE
Orange County Public Schools
Dr. Maria Vázquez, Superintendent
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
The Reliable One
Jan Aspuru, Retired, OUC
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – FIVE YEARS OR LESS
Kids Language Academy, LLC
Helen Rojas, Owner,
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN FIVE YEARS
Mecatos Bakery & Cafe
Edwin Lurduy, Owner
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
AdventHealth for Children
Dr. Joseph Lopez, Chief of Pediatric Head & Neck Surgery,
HISPANIC COMMUNITY CHAMPION
Nemours Children’s Health
Dr. Laura Chilcutt, Medical Director of Medical-Social Impact
EXCELLENCE
External Affairs & Philanthropy Orlando Magic
Maritza Martinez-Guerrero, Vice President
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
La Prensa Newspaper Orlando
Maritza Beltran, Executive Director
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – FIVE YEARS OR LESS
Guacamole Mexican Grill
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN FIVE YEARS
SkyBuilders
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Luis Nieves-Ruiz, Economic Development Director, East Central Florida Regional Planning Council
HISPANIC COMMUNITY CHAMPION
Dr. James Michael Burkett, President, Florida Technical College
EXCELLENCE
Former State Representative Bob Cortes, Senior Government Affairs Administrator, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Modesto Alcala
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – FIVE YEARS OR LESS
Capella Immigration Law
PLLC HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN FIVE YEARS
Castillo Engineering Services, LLC
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Orange County Public Works Department
Diana Almodóvar, P.E.
HISPANIC COMMUNITY CHAMPION
OUC – The Reliable One
Clint Bullock
EXCELLENCE
Orlando Police Department
Chief Orlando Rolón
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Paul Gamache
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Spectrum News 13
Ybeth Bruzual
HISPANIC COMMUNITY CHAMPION
Victim Service Center of Central Florida
Lui Damiani
EXCELLENCE
Heart of Florida United Way
Graciela Noriega – Jacoby
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Betty Martínez Lowery
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – FIVE YEARS OR LESS
NuCare Therapy
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN FIVE YEARS
SIMETRI, Inc.
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
City of Orlando
Giorgina Pinedo Rolón, Ph. D,
HISPANIC COMMUNITY CHAMPION
Orlando Health
Hon. Andy Gardiner
EXCELLENCE
Orange County Corrections Department
Chief Louis Quiñones
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
José Nido
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – FIVE YEARS OR LESS
Nebbia Technology
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN FIVE YEARS
Orlando Montessori Bilingual Academy
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Orlando International Airport
Vicki Jaramillo
HISPANIC COMMUNITY CHAMPION
Walt Disney Parks & Resorts
Nancy Gidusko†
EXCELLENCE
AdventHealth
Yamile Luna
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Janet Pérez Eckles
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – FIVE YEARS OR LESS
Hispanic Family Counseling
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN FIVE YEARS
Advanced IT Concepts, Inc.
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Nemours Children’s Hospital+
Dr Adalberto Lopez, Jr.
HISPANIC COMMUNITY CHAMPION
University of Central Florida
Dr. Ron Piccolo
EXCELLENCE
Adriana Comellas-Macretti
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Yolanda Londoño
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – FIVE YEARS OR LESS
Advanced Physical Medicine, Inc.
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN FIVE YEARS
Transpremier, LLC
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
ShuffieldLowman
Janet Martínez
HISPANIC COMMUNITY CHAMPION
Seminole State College
Dr. E. Ann McGee
EXCELLENCE
UPS
David Ruiz
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Henry Maldonado
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – FIVE YEARS OR LESS
Chatter Buzz
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN FIVE YEARS
Albu & Associates, Inc.
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Industries of Central Florida
Karla Radka, Goodwill
HISPANIC COMMUNITY CHAMPION
Reed Nissan
Aaron Hill
EXCELLENCE
Clean the World Foundation
Shawn Seipler
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Hon. Melquiades “Mel” Martínez
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – FIVE YEARS OR LESS
Mónica Oganes & Associates
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN FIVE YEARS
COMELCO, Inc.
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Valencia College
Elisha González Bonnewitz
HISPANIC COMMUNITY CHAMPION
D,Valencia College
Dr. Kathleen Plinske Ed
EXCELLENCE
Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation
Dr. Gregor Alexander
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Blanquita Trabold†
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – FIVE YEARS OR LESS
Echo Interaction Group
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN FIVE YEARS
Kidsville Pediatrics
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Barry University School of Law
Leticia M. Díaz
HISPANIC COMMUNITY CHAMPION
National Entrepreneur Center
Jerry Ross
EXCELLENCE
US Army’s Medical Simulation Program
Lt. Col. Wilson Ariza
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Rafael Medina† & Luisa Medina
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – FIVE YEARS OR LESS
CCH Marketing & Events, Inc.
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN FIVE YEARS
Conpilog International
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Orlando Health
Lourdes Quintana
HISPANIC COMMUNITY CHAMPION
Florida Blue
Tony Jenkins
EXCELLENCE
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio
Melissa Martínez Hernández, Office
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Lizette Valarino
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – FIVE YEARS OR LESS
Kings Service Solutions
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN FIVE YEARS
Resource Employment Solutions
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Nodarse a Terracon Company
José Costa
HISPANIC COMMUNITY CHAMPION
Walt Disney World Parks & Resorts
Eugene Campbell†
EXCELLENCE
El Osceola Star Newspaper†
Guillermo “Bill” Hansen
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Antonia Coello Novello, M.D., M.P.H, Dr.PH
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – FIVE YEARS OR LESS
Happy Paws Pet Resort
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN FIVE YEARS
Pollos Pio Pio Enterprises
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
University of Central Florida
Dr. Humberto Campins
HISPANIC COMMUNITY CHAMPION
HOPE Community Center
Sister Ann Kendrick
EXCELLENCE
Ophthalmologist
Dr. Miguel Lugo
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Ricardo Pesquera, Esq.
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – FIVE YEARS OR LESS
Santoni International Builders, LLC
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN FIVE YEARS
Sol Time
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Marchena & Graham, P.A.
Marcos R. Marchena
HISPANIC COMMUNITY CHAMPION
Orlando Magic
Linda Landman-González
EXCELLENCE
Sistema Universitario Ana G. Méndez
Dr. Tomasita Ortiz, Ed. D
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Olga Calvet
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – FIVE YEARS OR LESS
Closed Caption Latina
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN FIVE YEARS
NR Electronics, LLC
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Telemundo Orlando
Homan Machuca
HISPANIC COMMUNITY CHAMPION
University of Central Florida
Linda W. Chapin
EXCELLENCE
City of Orlando
Manuel D. Soto
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Dora Toro
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – FIVE YEARS OR LESS
Signtek Graphics
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN FIVE YEARS
Habana Grill Restaurant
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Orange County Governmen
George Rodón
EXCELLENCE
Orange County 9th Judicial Circuit Court
Judge Wilfredo Martínez
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Conrad Santiago
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – FIVE YEARS OR LESS
GRG Structures Group
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN FIVE YEARS
Royal Press Printing
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
University of Central Florida
Dr. José Fernández
EXCELLENCE
Diocese of Orlando
Father Miguel Gonzalez
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Tirso Moreno
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – FIVE YEARS OR LESS
Atlantis Flowers & Gifts, Co.
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN FIVE YEARS
Homes by Carmen Domínguez, LLC
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
WMFE-TV/FM
José Fajardo
EXCELLENCE
Orange County 9th Judicial Circuit Court
Judge José Rodríguez
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT
Fernando Bujones†
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – FIVE YEARS OR LESS
Ahora Orlando Magazine/ Creative Angle Media, LLC
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN FIVE YEARS
T&G Constructors
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
George Armando Aguel
EXCELLENCE
Orange County Public School
Dr. Anna D. Díaz
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – FIVE YEARS OR LESS
Intelliorg, Inc.
HISPANIC BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN FIVE YEARS
AXIS, Inc.
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
Denise Godreau
UnTrust/Grupo Bancario Latino
César Calvet
EXCELLENCE
Dr. José Borrero, Surgeon
Small Business of the Year Three Years or Less:
Alta Moda, Inc.
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN THREE YEARS
MSE Systems, Inc.
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau
José Estorino
EXCELLENCE
Silvia Ibañez Law Firm
Silvia Ibañez
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – THREEYEARS OR LESS
Rolling Hills Ford, Inc.
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN THREE YEARS
Jardon & Howard Technologies, Inc.
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Martinez & Company, P.A.
Hector Louis Martínez, Ruggiero
EXCELLENCE
Rey Group
Tony Rey
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – THREE YEARS OR LESS
Global Communications
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN THREE YEARS
International Engineer
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Banco Popular
Mercedes F. McCall
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Maya Telecom
Reynaldo Rodríguez & Ileana DiMario
EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
Hillcrest Elementary
Aliette A. Scharr
LEGAL PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
11th Judicial Circuit Court
Norberto Katz
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – THREE YEARS OR LESS
CFL Litho
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN THREE YEARS
Albors & Associates
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Latin Music Institute
Angel Martínez
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
American Paving Contractors
Raiza & Pete Tamayo
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – THREE YEARS OR LESS
KDR
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – MORE THAN THREE YEARS
First Roasters
PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Sprint
Louis Carrión
ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR
Quality Cable Communications
Jorge Del Río