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Latino Corporate Directors Association Announces Two New Board Members
[January 04, 2019]

Latino Corporate Directors Association Announces Two New Board Members


The Latino Corporate Directors Association (LCDA) announces the appointment of two new members to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Joining the Board of Directors are Adis Maria Vila and Jose R. Rodriguez.

"Our two newest Board members embody the mission of LCDA and bring talent, expertise and energy to the table," stated Patricia Salas Pineda, LCDA Chair. "We are very fortunate to have them join our returning directors as we continue working to increase the opportunities for Latinos to serve on corporate boards."

The Latino Corporate Directors Association (LCDA) is the only national organization of US Latino corporate board members serving on public or private company boards. The LCDA is focused on increasing the number and influence of Latinos on corporate boards by identifying Latino board-level talent and serving as a trusted partner to corporations, search firms and other partners seeking diverse board talent.

Adis Maria Vila is qualified as an audit committee financial expert under SEC (News - Alert) regulations and NYSE rules. She has served as the head of regulatory policy and government affairs for the western hemisphere at Nortel Networks, a $22B telecom supplier and as global head of international business development at Vigoro, a $750M international agri-business company; as Assistant Secretary and COO at the US Department of Agriculture, and as Chief Diversity Officer at the United States Air Force Academy. Vila serves on the board of MessageComm and was named by Directors & Boards a Director to Watch.

Jose R. Rodriguez serves as partner in charge and executive director of the Audit Committee Institute at US audit, tax and advisory firm, KPMG LLP. He also serves as the lead audit partner for a major consumer products company, an SEC reviewing partner, and as the ombudsman for KPMG LLP. Rodriguez is an advisory board member of the Wake Forest University School of Business and a member of the board of overseers at the University of Miami School f Business. He previously served as chief operating officer for KPMG International's global audit practice and as a member and lead director of KPMG's US and Americas Board of Directors.



"For many years, I have been a student of governance dedicated to high standards of ethics and governance in the not-for-profit and for profit sectors," said Vila. "Additionally, throughout my career, I have urged organizations with which I am associated to promote men and women of color so as to make America's leadership at all levels more diverse and more reflective of our population. I am pleased that fellow LCDA members entrust me with a leadership role in LCDA, an association committed to increasing the number of Latinos on corporate boards."

"Diversity improves decision making," said Rodriguez. "As a member of the LCDA, I know how hard they work to advocate for greater diversity in U.S. boardrooms, for increased Latino representation on corporate boards, and to develop current and future board talent. I'm honored to be invited to take on a leadership role, and to continue to work with this distinguished group."


Vila and Rodriguez join returning LCDA board members:

  • Patricia Salas Pineda, Chair - Levi Strauss & Company, Frontier Airlines
  • Elizabeth Oliver-Farrow, Co-Vice Chair - CareFirst, Inc. (formerly)
  • Al Zapanta, Co-Vice Chair - Tyson Foods Inc. (formerly)
  • Jose Luis Prado, Secretary - Northern Trust, Brinker International, Evans Food Group Ltd.
  • Judge Nelson Diaz, Treasurer - PECO (News - Alert) Energy Company, Exelon Corporation (formerly)
  • Victor Arias - Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc.
  • Roel Campos - WellCare Health Plans Inc., Regional Management Corp., Liquidnet Holdings Inc.
  • Kimberly Casiano - Ford Motor Company, Mutual of American Life Insurance Company, MEAD Johnson Nutrition Company
  • Tom Castro - Cumulus Media; Time Warner (News - Alert) Cable, Inc. (formerly)
  • Ana Dutra - CME Group, Elkay Manufacturing, Lifespace Communities, Greeley & Hansen
  • Dolores Kunda - Finish Line Inc., Lenox (formerly)
  • Alejandro Silva - Walgreen Co., PrivateBancorp, Inc., Evans Food Group Ltd.

"LCDA is honored to have the service of such extraordinary leaders on our board. We would also like to thank departing board members, Gilbert Casellas who serves on the board of Prudential Financial, Inc. and Juan Verde who sits on the boards of Abengoa Bioenergy and Andes Energy Corp.," stated Esther Aguilera, LCDA CEO. "Their leadership and commitment to LCDA has been invaluable and we share our deepest gratitude to them."

LCDA Vision: To be the preeminent association of US Latino corporate directors and a trusted source for US corporations and search firms seeking Latino board talent.

LCDA Mission: To support and develop Latino corporate directors and accelerate the growth potential of US companies by supporting their efforts to increase the number and influence of qualified Latinos on their corporate boards.

For more information about the Latino Corporate Directors Association visit www.latinocorporatedirectors.org.


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