Raymond Lozano named Minority Small Business Champion of the Year

Detroit: Raymond Lozano, Executive Director of the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Southfield, has been named the 2008 Michigan Minority Small Business Champion of the Year by the U.S. Small Business Administration. 

“Raymond Lozano has been a long-time champion of the minority business community,” said SBA Michigan District Director Richard Temkin.  “Ray recognizes the obstacles that minority businesses face and has developed relationships and built partnerships to help these businesses achieve economic opportunities.  I’m proud to announce that he is the Michigan Minority Small Business Champion of the Year award winner.” 

The son of Mexican immigrants, Lozano learned early the effects of economic hardship and that an individual must step up to overcome these barriers.  His dedication to service and volunteerism has spanned over 32 years with many organizations. 

From 1976 to 1980, he served with Latin Americans for Social and Economic Development, Inc. where he helped to organize Latino business owners and acted as a liaison to ensure equal representation with the local government.  Lozano later joined the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which is dedicated to promoting economic development in the Latino community through the growth of its member companies. 

Lozano currently serves on numerous boards, including the Wayne County Economic Development Corporation, Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital, SER Metro-Detroit employment and training organization, and the Oakland Local Community Committee for United Way of Southeastern Michigan.  He also served three years on the U.S. Senate Task Force on Hispanic Affairs.  Lozano recently completed a six-year term as vice chairman of the board of directors for the Washington D.C.-based National Council of La Raza, the nation’s largest Hispanic advocacy organization.  He also served his country as a vehicle commander for two years in the U.S. Army infantry during the Vietnam War.

Lozano will receive his award during the fourth annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business awards dinner at the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center in East Lansing on April 24, 2008.  For more information on this event, please go to www.michigancelebrates.biz.  For more information on Lozano, please contact the SBA Michigan District Office at (313) 226-6075 x225 or e-mail [email protected].