2011 Hispanic Man & Woman of the Year
It is with great pride that the Board of Directors of Tampa Hispanic Heritage, Inc. announces the selection of Enrique A. Woodroffe as the Hispanic Man of the Year 2011 and Maritza Rovira Forino as the Hispanic Woman of the Year 2011.
These annual awards honor Hispanics, nominated by the community at large, who have have excelled in their endeavors to advance, promote, maintain, and enhance our Hispanic heritage and who, by their outstanding contributions, have improved the quality of life in the Hispanic community.
Enrique A. Woodroffe was born in Peru. He graduated with a B.A in Design and a M.A. in Architecture from the University of Florida. He is currently the President of his own architecture company in Tampa, Woodroffe Corporation Architects, Inc.
Enrique’s long involvement in community service led him to become President of the Ybor Chamber of Commerce, the City of Tampa Barrio Latino Commission, the Arts Council of Hillsborough County, the Salvation Army Advisory Council and a member of different Boards, such as the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center and the University of South Florida Latin Advisory Council. Through this organization Enrique helped raise funds to benefit Hispanic students. Enrique has also worked as a volunteer for many years building schools for children in the Dominican Republic.
Enrique has been the recipient of many awards for his professional and community service. He has received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum major Award for Community Service, and the Firm of the Year Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA). He served as the Florida/Caribbean Regional Director of AIA, service for which he received their highest award, the Gold Medal Honors Award.
Maritza Rovira Forino was born in Puerto Rico. She graduated Suma Cum Laude from the University of Puerto Rico and has distinguished herself for her service both in the world of business and in the Tampa Bay Area community. She has served on different Boards and has excelled in her work to benefit Hispanic students. She has been the Chair of the City of Tampa Mayor’s Hispanic Advisory Council since 2006. She has had great success in raising funds for scholarships for Hispanic students and has presided successfully over the annual ” Latinos Unidos” luncheons. She has served as President of The University of South Florida Latin Advisory Council and is a Board member of the Glazer’s Children Museum.
In the world of business, as Marketing Manager for J.A. Jones/Metric Constructors, Maritza served as the first woman and first Hispanic anywhere in this global company’s management team. She has been recognized as a pioneer and barrier- breaker in the various professional positions that she has held in the business world.
Maritza has been the recipient of many awards, such as the Women in Industry Award, the Hispanic Corporate Achiever Award and twice she received the Minority Advocate Award from the US Department of Commerce.
Tampa Hispanic Heritage, Inc. will honor the continuing contributions of Enrique A. Woodroffe and Maritza Rovira Forino to our community during the 24th Annual Tampa Hispanic Heritage, Inc. Gala that will take place on Saturday, October 1, 2011, at the Tampa Hyatt Regency Hotel at 6:30 PM.
Join us in this celebratory event that marks the culmination of Tampa’s Hispanic Heritage Celebration. All net proceeds will go towards scholarships for deserving and financially needy Hispanic students.
For more information about the Hispanic Man and Woman of the Year Gala 2011, please call Dr. Luz P. Lono, Gala Committee Chair at (813) 253-7744 or Pablo Martinez, Esq., Co- Chair at (813) 231-0138.
Past honorees include men and women from different walks of life that have dedicated much of their time and talents to giving back to the Hispanic community in the Tampa Bay Area.
PAST TAMPA HISPANIC HERITAGE, INC. WOMEN OF THE YEAR
Edith Pandiella 1988
Margarita Gonzalez 1989
Alis Nieto 1990
Mercy DiMaio 1991
Melba Massaro (D) 1991
Matilda Garcia Martinez 1992
Delia Sanchez P. 1993
Raquel Carrodeguas 1994
Evelyn Rodriguez 1995
Adela Gonzmart (D) 1996
Dr. Liana Fernandez 1997
Dr. Margarita Cancio 1998
Maruchi Azorin Blanco1999
Donna Parrino 2000
Dr. Remember Maceo Gomez 2001
Ana Crespo 2002
Hnorable Virginia Covington 2003
Dr. Lydia Medrano 2004
Dr. Adrienne Garcia 2005
Diana Almeida Toledo 2006
Maria Steijlen 2007
Bella Maria Canasi 2008
Maria Esther Carrillo (D) 2009
Margarita Romo 2010
PAST TAMPA HISPANIC HERITAGE INC. MEN OF THE YEAR
Gov. Bob Martinez 1989
Ralph Fernandez 1990
Honorable Dennis Alvarez 1991
Cesar Gonzmart (D) 1992
Honorable E.J. Salcines 1993
Honorable Elvin Martinez 1944
Ronald Manteiga (D) 1995
Dr. Victor Martinez 1996
M.G. Manny Alvarez, Jr. 1997
Fernando Noriega 1998
Dr. Hernan Leon 1999
Rene Gonzalez 2000
Osvaldo Latino 2001
Dr. Dennis Puppello 2002
Dr. Victor Fernandez 2003
John Ramil 2004
Jose Valiente 2005
Richard Gonzmart 2006
Dr. Ferdie Pacheco 2007
Honorable Charlie Miranda 2008
Frank Cisneros 2009
Arturo Fuente Jr. 2010