101 The List of the Most Influential Leaders in the Latino Community
Jorge Mas
Alejandro Mayorkas
Belinda Menendez
Chairman of the Board MasTec
Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security
In 1994, Jorge Mas became the CEO of his family-owned and operated business, changing its name to MasTec, a company that is now a leader in the infrastructure contracting industry. With a background in business administration, Mas’ expertise in the industry has led him to appear on numerous networks such as NBC and FOX. To complete his leadership circle, Mas also lends his time to helping promote the idea of a “free and democratic Cuba,” his native country.
Prior to this position, Mayorkas served as the Director of the Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, which operates the largest immigration system in the world, according to the government website. Mayorkas has been active in politics since 1989 when he served as the assistant US Attorney for the Central District of California. He has served as U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, becoming the youngest one to be appointed to the position at the time. Mayorkas is a University of California-Berkeley graduate and received a law degree from Loyola. He has been recognized by the National Law Journal as one of the “50 Most Influential Minority Lawyers in America.”
President of NBC Universal International TV Distribution and Universal Networks International
1994: Publicly traded Burnup & Sims acquired Church & Tower (owned and operated by Mas’ father) and Mas became CEO and changed the name to MasTec 1997: MasTec went public on the New York Stock Exchange 1998: First Hispanic-owned firm to reach the $1 billion revenue mark
Managing 15 offices around the world, Belinda Menendez oversees channels and distribution for NBC Universal International’s television business and ensures that quality content is delivered to more than 180 locations worldwide. Ranked No. 38 on the The Hollywood Reporter’s 2013 Women in Entertainment 100, Menendez was at the helm when NBC Universal International TV forged a deal with HBO Latin America to bring NBC Universal’s feature films to Latin America and the Caribbean, starting in 2015.
2009-13: Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services 2013: Appointed as 6th U.S. Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security
2001: Joined Universal Television Distribution as Co-President, Universal Television Distribution 2008: Cover story for the summer edition of Inside Latino Entertainment & Media 2011: Assumed her current role as President of NBC Universal International TV Distribution and Universal Networks International
Robert Menendez
J. Mario Molina
Margaret Moran
United States Senator New Jersey
President and CEO Molina Healthcare
National president at the League of United Latin American Citizen (LULAC)
Since becoming involved in politics at the early age of 19, Robert Menendez has had the best interests of the people at heart and as a senator for New Jersey, his influence and ranking is what gets things done for New Jerseyans. While in the Senate, he fights for funding to help the state’s infrastructure and economic stature while sitting on committees such as Senate Committees on Finance and Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.
In 1996, J. Mario Molina succeeded his father as the president and CEO of the family business, Molina Healthcare. After working his way up through the company and in his career in medicine, Molina has been able to successfully transition the company to be one of the top providers of minority health care in the country, which is especially noteworthy during the age of the Affordable Care Act.
1993: Became the third-highest ranking democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives 2006: Sworn into the Senate 2009: Appointed as Chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee 2012: Ran for and won election to retain his seat in the Senate
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1991: Began serving as medical director for Molina Healthcare 1994: Served as vice president 1996: Succeeded his father, Dr. C. David Mollina, as president and CEO of Molina Healthcare 2005: Named one of TIME Magazine’s 25 Most Influential Hispanics in America
Moran was elected in 2010 and this past summer she began a fourth term as president after more than 30 years with the organization, according to LULAC’s website. The San Antonio native serves on the board of the LULAC National Educational Services Centers and is the co-founder of the LNESC San Antonio Center. Moran is the third woman to hold her position. She serves on civic boards, including the Instituto de los Mexicanos en el Exterior, the American Bar Association-Commission on Hispanic Legal Rights and Responsibilities and is chair of the board of directors of the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility. 1996-2000: First term as senator 2005-08: Executive director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs 2010: Elected national president of LULAC