"Hispanic Women will have an increasing impact on the face of the U.S. economy that cannot be ignored"
Jesus Chavarria, publisher of Hispanic Business magazine

Hispanic Business Inc., publisher of Hispanic Business Magazine, announced its annual WOY (Woman of the Year) Awards, honoring the nation's most successful women in business. The recipients will be honored at the Hispanic Business 25th Anniversary Gala in New York City, June 10, 2004.

The April Hispanic Business Magazine, with the "25 Elite Hispanic Women" directory, showcases 2004 Woman of the Year, Jovita Carranza, VP of UPS Air Operations, chosen on the basis of her national influence, career achievement, and service to the Hispanic community.

Ms. Carranza operates the air hub portion of the $33 billion business that has become the world's largest package-delivery company -- far from her start as a part-time, night-shift hub clerk in 1976.

Four other finalists join Ms. Carranza:

* Kimberly Casiano, President, Casiano Communications

* Monica Lozano, CEO of La Opinion and Senior Vice President of Impremedia

* Frances A. Sevilla-Sacasa, President, Latin America and Europe, of Citigroup Private Bank

* Cristina Lambert, CEO of Puerto Rico Telephone

"Hispanic Women will have an increasing impact on the face of the U.S. economy that cannot be ignored -- especially entrepreneurial ventures. From 1997 to 2002, the number of Hispanic woman-owned businesses surged 39 percent to over 470,000, growing faster than the total national rate for women-owned businesses, according to the Center for Women's Business Research," said Jesus Chavarria, publisher of Hispanic Business magazine.