If you are thinking of expanding outside of the US for your business, South America should be an area you consider and Ecuador must be on your list to explore. The construction business is booming and small to mid-sized businesses flourish. The quality of life is fantastic.
Ana Pierina Arteaga Lomeli is from Chone, Ecuador and moved to the United States on 1997. She is currently working as the Ecuadorian Consulate in Atlanta. She is also engaged in studies at Kennesaw State University for International Affairs. Ana Pierina Arteaga Lomeli’s Segment
Luis Abarca is currently the Vice-President of the Ecuadorian-American Chamber of Commerce of Georgia and has been part of the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA) by representing ING as Board Member at Large supporting the Hartford and Atlanta chapters. Luis is originally from Ecuador, South America, and arrived in the US in 1993. Luis graduated in 1999 from Central Connecticut State University with a BS in Management and Organization.
Luis is also the Community Relations Director at the ING Foundation and the Office of Corporate Responsibility and Multicultural Affairs. In this role, he is responsible for promoting the spirit of service by coordinating national volunteer activities, raise employee engagement by leading the Employee Giving Campaign and Sponsorship activation/event management targeting Hispanic/Latino communities. His main responsibilities cover all the ING sites across the United States. Major focal areas are financial literacy, children’s education, diversity and environmental sustainability.
Prior to that role, Luis was a Community Relations Manager for three years, Operations Supervisor in Hartford, CT and the Chair of the ING Latino Resource Group (Hartford Chapter). Luis has been an active member of the Network since 2002 supporting various non-profit activities. Luis Abarca, Jr’s. Segment
Malena Barahona Hankins, president of Aqua-Tots Swim Schools which is a standard setting business in the field and the “Life Lesson” service provided by helping to prevent drownings. Drownings are the second leading cause of death for children under the age of 14. The establishment of World of Swim as a not for profit organization and the types of organizations that can be helped where swimmers give back through this endeavor. Malena recently won the 25k open water national championship for women 35-39 and swam the event through World of Swim with the proceeds going to the March of Dimes. She continues to compete on a National and International level representing the United States.
Malena experienced seveal challenges as an Ecuadorian to establish herself, her family and her business in the United States, but she was successful. As a small business owner it is increasingly important in these economic times that large entities continue to support organizations such as the Ecuadorian Chamber of Commerce and in turn small businesses like Aqua-Tots. As a proud Ecuadorian it gives her a great sense of accomplishment to be able to serve this community and country through her business as well as through her lifelong passion of swimming. Malena Hankins’ Segment
The Ecuadorian-American Chamber is having a business Expo and Fair Saturday July 23 from 10-4 with a Reception from 4-6pm at the Atlanta Marriott Northwest. Please plan to attend. More information can be found at: Ecuadorian-American Chamber of Commerce
