SAMA 2008 GALA BANQUET AWARD WINNERS.

VIEW PHOTO GALLERY
VIEW AWARD WINNERS
VIEW SAMA'S GALA BOOK

LEADERSHIP AWARD
M. Jodi Rell

On January 3, 2007, Governor M. Jodi Rell was sworn in for her own term as Governor of the great State of Connecticut. She is the state’s 87th Governor and the first-ever woman Republican Governor of Connecticut.
Governor Rell has held elected office in Connecticut for more than two decades. She holds the state’s highest office after serving as the 105th Lieutenant Governor for over nine years. Governor Rell also represented the 107th House District of Brookfield in the state House of Representatives where she held key leadership posts, including Deputy House Minority Leader and Assistant House Minority Leader.
Governor Rell’s bold approach to state government has gone a long way in protecting Connecticut families and preserving Connecticut’s character. In fact, her leadership on the critical issues facing our state, such as education, transportation, the environment, healthcare, government reform and the economy, has helped to make Connecticut an even better place to live, work and raise a family.
Over the past few years, she has also received the Mary Waterman Award from the Breast Cancer Alliance for her “outstanding individual achievement in the search for a cure for breast cancer”; the “Woman of Merit Award” from the Connecticut Valley Girl Scout Council; the Visionario Award from Connecticut Association of United Spanish Action (CAUSA); and the 2005 CURE Award for Excellence “for significant contribution or achievement in Connecticut bioscience.”

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Doña Hida Gandara

Hilda Gandara was born in Cuba, where she completed college and was a teacher. She arrived in the United States in 1960 and resided in New Jersey until 1975, when she moved to Connecticut.
For over 25 years, until the year 2000, Hilda and her husband, Pablo, owned and operated New York Fashions, Inc., a retail establishment on Hartford’s Park Street corridor. Active in community affairs, Ms. Gandara chaired the Board of the Spanish American Merchants Association, Inc. for three years, where one of her achievements was the annual holiday lighting of Park Street.
She headed the Three Kings Day toy drive and parade committee for seven years. Retired, Hilda is an active volunteer in the Latino community.
During the many years of service to the community, Hilda has received the following awards.
1987 Leadership of Woman for 100 years given by the YWCA
1995 SAMA’s President’s Award
1999 Recognition Award given by SAMA for the many years of community service
1999 Certificate of Appreciation given by Broad Park Development Corp.
2000 SAMA’s Board of Directors Award
2003 Served on a panel for a discussion on medicine and Medicare issues hosted by
President Bush and was present for the President’s signing of Medicare Part D
into law in Washington D.C.
2004 Community Leadership Award (Instituto de Salud Hispana)
2005 Official Citation – City of Hartford, CT
2006 Anti-Defamation League of Liberty Award
2007 Mayor Perez Rising Star Award

MERCHANT OF THE YEAR
Brenda Torres

Brenda J. Torres was born and raised in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico. The youngest of three siblings, she grew up in the restaurant business. Her parents were the proud owners of a popular restaurant “De Todos” in Juana Diaz. Brenda was raised surrounded by great aroma, flavors and wonderful food. Her parents moved to CT in the late 1980’s giving her an opportunity to become a restaurant owner herself. Brenda has successfully been recognized by many as having the best Puerto Rican food in the state. As owner of Criollisimo Restaurant she was recognized by former
Vice President of the United States Al Gore as one of the shining stars of the Latino community.
Her energy and passion for good food has also earned Criollisimo Restaurant an award from The Advocate as the best Latino Restaurant in 2007. Brenda continues to be a great force behind the Latino community by providing support and lending a hand to the ones in need. As a Latina entrepreneur, she celebrates throughout her food what it means to be a Latina, a proud Latina. She is an example of hard work, perseverance and having a dream.

CORPORATE AWARD
Allstate Foundation

Founded in 1952, The Allstate Foundation is an independent, charitable organization made possible by subsidiaries of The Allstate Corporation. The Allstate Foundation invests approximately $20 million annually in U.S. community initiatives to promote “safe and vital communities;” “tolerance, inclusion, and diversity;” and “economic empowerment.” The Allstate Foundation is dedicated to fostering safe and vital communities where people live, work and raise families.
These communities are economically strong, crime-free and residents feel a sense of belonging and commitment. A thriving, viable community is one where residents have access to economic resources and knowledge to make informed decisions about their financial future as well as recognizes and values people of varied backgrounds, including ethnicity, gender, physical challenges, age and lifestyle. The Allstate Foundation believes in the financial potential of every individual and in helping America’s families achieve their American dream.
An additional $1 million is earmarked each year for local nonprofits through Agency Hands in the Community grants. The Agency Hands in the Community award was created to honor the local community volunteer efforts of Allstate exclusive agents and personal financial representatives.
These grants improve the quality of life in communities across America.

PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Thomas Phillips

Thomas Phillips has led Capital Workforce Partners, a regional Workforce Investment Board, as President and Chief Executive Officer for the past seven years. Capital Workforce Partners is a business-driven organization that tailors the workforce system to meet the recruitment and training needs of the region’s employers.
The Board is responsible for workforce development policy, planning and programming for thirty-seven (37) North Central Connecticut communities including Bristol, Hartford and New Britain. Mr. Phillips manages approximately $17.7 million in federal, state and other resources used to address the workforce development needs of employers and job seekers including youths and adults.
Prior to his leadership at Capital Workforce Partners, Mr. Phillips was employed with the City of Hartford, CT for 21 years at various management positions including Director of Development, Policy & Program Administration. During his tenure with the City of Hartford, Mr. Phillips oversaw grants and loan management, project development initiatives and policy activities.
Mr. Phillips’ commitment to the City of Hartford has contributed to the region’s social, cultural and economic growth. Among his many community contributions, he created the Tri-Neighborhood Revitalization Initiative, a $30 million revitalization effort and led a successful campaign to bring an $18 million Job Corps Academy to Hartford. And, most recently, in December 2007, he was recognized by the National Workforce Association as “Executive Director of the Year,” and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Junior Achievement, the Hartford Chamber of Commerce, HEDCO and the MJB Corporation. Mr. Phillips received his Master of Business Administration from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Master of Public Administration from the University of Hartford. He also received a Bachelors degree in Public Administration from Central Connecticut State University.

VIEW PHOTO GALLERY
VIEW AWARD WINNERS
VIEW SAMA'S GALA BOOK