PRESS RELEASE
(Español)
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Parents Step Ahead Announces Special Guest Speaker for its 6th Annual “Parent of the Year” Award Ceremony
Richard Montañez to highlight his rise from janitor to PepsiCo executive
DALLAS, Nov. 7, 2011 — Richard P. Montañez, an executive for PepsiCo North America called the “Godfather of Hispanic Branding,” will be a special guest speaker at Parents Step Ahead’s 6th Annual “Parent of the Year” Gala. The event will be held on Friday, Dec. 2 at the Crowne Plaza Dallas Market Center.
Montañez started his PepsiCo career at Frito-Lay in 1976 as a janitor and is now recognized as the creator of the Flamin’ Hot® product line, which influenced future ethnic products and the first Frito-Lay Hispanic marketing team. Montanez currently leads Multicultural Sales & Community Promotions across PepsiCo’s North American divisions, leveraging best practices internally and externally to develop community partnerships. He is known for his visionary leadership and ability to develop new systems and products.
“We are excited to have a renowned leader in the Hispanic and business community who will share his inspirational story with the guests at our Parents of the Year Ceremony,” said Lupita Colmenero, Chair and Founder of Parents Step Ahead. “Mr. Montanez is a wonderful example of how a person from humble beginnings can achieve success through hard work and dedication.”
Parents Step Ahead’s annual “Parent of the Year.” gala honors and celebrates parents who are making a difference in their children’s educational and personal development. Parents are nominated based on Parent Step Ahead program participation and two essays: one written by the parent on his/her involvement and the second written by the child about why their parent should be named “Parent of the Year.”
For more information regarding the “Parent of the Year” Award Ceremony, please visit www.parentsstepahead.org.
About Parents Step Ahead
Parents Step Ahead is a 501-C3 nonprofit organization with a mission “to recognize, educate, enable and empower parents to take a proactive role in the educational and personal development of their children.” The organization works in partnership with school districts, corporations and community organizations to offer a series of school-based programs for parents of all backgrounds throughout the school calendar year to demonstrate the importance of parental involvement. Programs are free and include dinner, childcare, and the raffle of prizes and culminate with the raffle of a desktop computer.
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Contact:
Gypsy Gavia
Programs & Communications Coordinator
(214) 357-2186 ext. 204
Gypsy@parentsstepahead.org