Board of Directors

Luis Bustillos is a senior member of our Hispanic community. He is a founding member of the Catholic Hispanic ministry in Nashville and member of the Knights of Columbus. An active member of the NAHCC he serves as the Chair of the Community Outreach committee, overseeing Chamber sponsored educational initiatives. He currently serves as a probation officer in Davidson County. Luis has served a term as NAHCC Vice-Chair.

Loraine Segovia studied towards her bachelor degree in accounting at the University of Mayor de San Simón of Cochabamba in Bolivia and is owner and co-founder of La Noticia Newspaper. Her work has allowed her to get involved in a variety of Hispanic outreach and business projects including festivals, forums, training sessions, legislative conferences and community events. She is a member of the American Red Cross and the Comprehensive Care Center Board of Directors. Loraine received the SBA Business Advocate Recognition in 2007 and the NAHCC Outstanding Leadership and Service Award in 2008. Loraine Segovia-Paz plans to earn her MBA in Nashville.

Ionela Chera received a bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Bucharest, Faculty of Law in Romania. She was an active member in the church and served the community in her city. Currently, Ionela is a Universal Banker with US Bank and Project Manager for the Hispanic Business Community Outreach task force. Ionela is fluent in English, Spanish, Romanian and she is working on improving her French. Her hope is to contribute to our community by promoting social, educational and financial advocacy for Hispanic and other minorities.

Brenna is the owner of Hellbender, a music and book marketing and publicity firm.  She is a member of Leadership Music and serves as the chairman of the CCC Community Advisory Board.

Of Mexican - American heritage Ann Marie Flores, PT, PhD, MS, MA is Assistant Professor Vanderbilt University, Dept. of Orthopedics & Rehabilitation where she heads the Rehabilitation Oncology Program.  Her research interests are cancer survivorship, health disparities & women’s health.  Dr. Flores is also Director of Research for the specialty section of Women’s Health for the American Physical Therapy Association & Director of the Socio-behavioral Research Working Group for the Pain & Symptom Management Program at the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Institute.

Dave Henricks has been working for many years on HIV/AIDS prevention. He currently serves as the Chair, Board of Directors of the Comprehensive CARE Center, Nashville and Tennessee's largest HIV/AIDS medical treatment facility. His involvement with the NAHCC as a member and volunteer have resulted in several outreach efforts to bring awareness abouts risks and treatment opportunities for local Latino populations.

Rosie Navarro is a designated Realtor member of the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors and NAHREP - National Association of Real Estate Professionals. Her mission is to educate and facilitate home ownership amoung the hispanic population. Her in dept training includes Economics, Real Estate Practice, Financing, Property Management and Investments. Rosie has received numerous Diamond and Golden awards in sales and has earned the President's Award as a Full time bilingual agent.  For Rosie the client is more important than the sale. Rosie Navarro is of Mexican-American heritage.

Gil Veda is a noted painter,composer and publisher born in Puerto Rico and known for his changes in styles and his exploration of unique art techniques. Collectors of his works include past presidents, celebrities and people from all over the world who appreciate Portraits, Impressionism, Surrealism and his Earth Vision Art.  Notable collectors and estate holdings of Gil Veda's works include: Priscilla Presley, Gov. George C. Wallace, Hank Williams, Sr/Jr., Bruce Addington, Mayor Beverley Briley, Gov. Frank Clement, Chet Atkins, Johnny Cash, Dick Clark, Pres.Lyndon B. Johnson, Pres.John F. Kennedy, Dolly Parton, Mario Ferrari, Joseph Swanson and Ray Webb.

Holly Spann is a life-long political activist and adoption reform advocate. She served as president of the Nashville Women’s Political Caucus in 2006 and served three consecutive terms as Vice President-Legislation.  She also holds a seat on the board of the Tennessee Women’s Political Caucus. Holly is the State Representative for the American Adoption Congress, a national organization devoted to education and advocacy, which promotes honesty, openness, and respect for family connections in adoption, foster care, and assisted reproduction. Holly works at Vanderbilt Medical Center.

Mercedes Suarez is a native from Mexico. She is a business owner in Nashville.

Elliott Ozment graduated from Vanderbilt Law School in 1975 and obtained a Certificate in the Program for Instruction for Lawyers from Harvard Law School in 1990. Has focused his practice in immigration law since 1998. Is a member of American Immigration Lawyers Association, American Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, Nashville Bar Association, and the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He has served as the Chair of the Immigration Law Committee of the Nashville Bar Association and is the legal counsel for the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In addition to representing hundreds of clients before the USCIS and USICE (successor agencies to the INS), has also tried immigration cases before numerous Immigration Courts (Memphis, Atlanta, New Orleans) and the Board of Immigration Appeals in Washington, D.C. Has also represented immigration clients in numerous U.S. District Courts and has represented immigration appellants before the U.S. Court of Appeals in the Fifth Circuit (New Orleans) and the Sixth Circuit (Cincinnati). He has formerly served as a Representative in the Tennessee House of Representatives and was a Political Analyst for local and state political affairs for Channel 2 News in Nashville.

“Our community is often portrayed as a community in need,...It is in need of many things, but it is not in need of your pity. It is in need of respect. It is in need of appreciation - cultural appreciation, political appreciation”. (Yuri Cunza, On Hispanic populations -The Tennessean 12/23/03)   A native of Perú, Yuri Cunza moved to Nashville in 1996. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and Film Directing from Watkins College of Art & Design. Cunza has been an active advocate of Hispanic, immigrant and civil rights causes, becoming a powerful voice for Nashville’s growing Latino community. His comments and perspectives about some of the most controversial issues involving culture, diversity and immigrant populations have been featured in several English language publications and media outlets including TN Business, The Tennessean, The City Paper, The Nashville Business Journal, American Renaissance, the SCENE, The Associated Press, Reuters, Channels, 2, 4, 5 and 17, National Public Radio (Click here to listen to NPR's report), WFSK, WPLN and Radio Free Nashville. Cunza served on the advisory board for Scarritt-Bennett Center’s “Celebration of Cultures”, and is member of the National Academy of Television Arts & Science’s board of Governors, the board of directors for the Belcourt Theatre, The Nashville Film Festival, the American Red Cross (until Dec.2006) and more than a dozen more other organizations; ranging from business, health, non-profit, arts and culture. Cunza’s memberships include the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP), the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and The National Council LA RAZA. Locally he is a new member of the Downtown Nashville Rotary Club among civic groups. Cunza has served on the board for the HIV/AIDS research based Comprehensive Care Center and is a current member of the board of Street Works and Metro General Hospital’s “Friends in General Board”. Cunza held the volunteer position of Chairman of the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce from late July 2003 to December 31, 2006.  And in 2007 was appointed by the NAHCC board to serve as its President. A Nashville resident for 10 years, Yuri Cunza became a U.S Citizen on September 22nd, 2006. (click here for extended bio)

Alejandra is as a volunteer coordinator for member outreach and education initiatives. She serves as a community liaison for the NAHCC and has volunteered to assist the Nashville Pregnancy Resource Center on their Hispanic outreach efforts. While coordinating a series of focus groups within our membership, Alejandra helped lead a similar initiative involving participants from our Hispanic community at large. Early this year (2007) she begun training at the NAHCC, helping create and conduct a series of surveys to better understand the needs of our local businesses affiliates identifying potential issues related to population growth and development. The Focus Group series have proven to be an effective educational tool for the NAHCC to assess the most important needs of our growing and vibrant community.

Marc Walwyn is an attorney of Cuban heritage and the founder of the only certified minority owned law firm in Tennessee. Marc is very proud that his lawyers and staff speak to clients in their own language which include Portuguese, Korean and Spanish. While serving large American companies, Walwyn takes pride on serving families and those who need an advocate. He served as an Administrative Law Judge in Chicago before returning to his home town of Nashville. Marc graduated from Good pasture Christian High School, obtained his B.A. from Carleton College in Minnesota, and graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School where he served as Administrative Editor of the Wisconsin Law Review.

Luis Bustillos is a senior member of our Hispanic community. He is a founding member of the Catholic Hispanic ministry in Nashville and member of the Knights of Columbus. An active member of the NAHCC he serves as the Chair of the Community Outreach committee, overseeing Chamber sponsored educational initiatives. Luis currently serves as a probation officer in Davidson County.

Loraine Segovia involvement with our emergent Hispanic community dates back to late 2000 when she moved to Nashville from her native Cochabamba, Bolivia. Loraine has worked in multiple Hispanic outreach and business projects including festivals, theater, film, forums and other public events. Through her work she has participated with the Belcourt Theatre, NaFF, Scarritt Bennett Center, American Red Cross and All About Women to list a few. She is founder and current publisher of Nashville based Spanish language Newspaper La Noticia. Loraine studied accounting at the University of Cochabamba in Bolivia and plans to earn her MBA in Nashville.

Sandra Flores Baxtley. Waverly Belmont/United Neighborhood Health Services.

Brenna is the owner of Hellbender, a music and book marketing and publicity firm.  She is a member of Leadership Music and serves as the chairman of the CCC Community Advisory Board.

Of Mexican - American heritage Ann Marie Flores, PT, PhD, MS, MA is Assistant Professor Vanderbilt University, Dept. of Orthopedics & Rehabilitation where she heads the Rehabilitation Oncology Program.  Her research interests are cancer survivorship, health disparities & women’s health.  Dr. Flores is also Director of Research for the specialty section of Women’s Health for the American Physical Therapy Association & Director of the Socio-behavioral Research Working Group for the Pain & Symptom Management Program at the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Institute.

Dave Henricks has been working for many years on HIV/AIDS prevention. He currently serves as the Chair, Board of Directors of the Comprehensive CARE Center, Nashville and Tennessee's largest HIV/AIDS medical treatment facility. His involvement with the NAHCC as a member and volunteer have resulted in several outreach efforts to bring awareness abouts risks and treatment opportunities for local Latino populations.

Rosie Navarro is a designated Realtor member of the Greater Nashville Association of Realtors and NAHREP - National Association of Real Estate Professionals. Her mission is to educate and facilitate home ownership amoung the hispanic population. Her in dept training includes Economics, Real Estate Practice, Financing, Property Management and Investments. Rosie has received numerous Diamond and Golden awards in sales and has earned the President's Award as a Full time bilingual agent.  For Rosie the client is more important than the sale. Rosie Navarro is of Mexican-American heritage.

Gil Veda is a noted painter,composer and publisher born in Puerto Rico and known for his changes in styles and his exploration of unique art techniques. Collectors of his works include past presidents, celebrities and people from all over the world who appreciate Portraits, Impressionism, Surrealism and his Earth Vision Art.  Notable collectors and estate holdings of Gil Veda's works include: Priscilla Presley, Gov. George C. Wallace, Hank Williams, Sr/Jr., Bruce Addington, Mayor Beverley Briley, Gov. Frank Clement, Chet Atkins, Johnny Cash, Dick Clark, Pres.Lyndon B. Johnson, Pres.John F. Kennedy, Dolly Parton, Mario Ferrari, Joseph Swanson and Ray Webb.

Holly Spann is a life-long political activist and adoption reform advocate. She served as president of the Nashville Women’s Political Caucus in 2006 and served three consecutive terms as Vice President-Legislation.  She also holds a seat on the board of the Tennessee Women’s Political Caucus. Holly is the State Representative for the American Adoption Congress, a national organization devoted to education and advocacy, which promotes honesty, openness, and respect for family connections in adoption, foster care, and assisted reproduction. Holly works at Vanderbilt Medical Center.

Mercedes Suarez is a native from Mexico. She is a business owner in Nashville.

Elliott Ozment graduated from Vanderbilt Law School in 1975 and obtained a Certificate in the Program for Instruction for Lawyers from Harvard Law School in 1990. Has focused his practice in immigration law since 1998. Is a member of American Immigration Lawyers Association, American Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, Nashville Bar Association, and the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He has served as the Chair of the Immigration Law Committee of the Nashville Bar Association and is the legal counsel for the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In addition to representing hundreds of clients before the USCIS and USICE (successor agencies to the INS), has also tried immigration cases before numerous Immigration Courts (Memphis, Atlanta, New Orleans) and the Board of Immigration Appeals in Washington, D.C. Has also represented immigration clients in numerous U.S. District Courts and has represented immigration appellants before the U.S. Court of Appeals in the Fifth Circuit (New Orleans) and the Sixth Circuit (Cincinnati). He has formerly served as a Representative in the Tennessee House of Representatives and was a Political Analyst for local and state political affairs for Channel 2 News in Nashville.

“Our community is often portrayed as a community in need,...It is in need of many things, but it is not in need of your pity. It is in need of respect. It is in need of appreciation - cultural appreciation, political appreciation”. (Yuri Cunza, On Hispanic populations -The Tennessean 12/23/03)   A native of Perú, Yuri Cunza moved to Nashville in 1996. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and Film Directing from Watkins College of Art & Design. Cunza has been an active advocate of Hispanic, immigrant and civil rights causes, becoming a powerful voice for Nashville’s growing Latino community. His comments and perspectives about some of the most controversial issues involving culture, diversity and immigrant populations have been featured in several English language publications and media outlets including TN Business, The Tennessean, The City Paper, The Nashville Business Journal, American Renaissance, the SCENE, The Associated Press, Reuters, Channels, 2, 4, 5 and 17, National Public Radio (Click here to listen to NPR's report), WFSK, WPLN and Radio Free Nashville. Cunza served on the advisory board for Scarritt-Bennett Center’s “Celebration of Cultures”, and is member of the National Academy of Television Arts & Science’s board of Governors, the board of directors for the Belcourt Theatre, The Nashville Film Festival, the American Red Cross (until Dec.2006) and more than a dozen more other organizations; ranging from business, health, non-profit, arts and culture. Cunza’s memberships include the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP), the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), the National Association of Hispanic Journalists, and The National Council LA RAZA. Locally he is a new member of the Downtown Nashville Rotary Club among civic groups. Cunza has served on the board for the HIV/AIDS research based Comprehensive Care Center and is a current member of the board of Street Works and Metro General Hospital’s “Friends in General Board”. Cunza held the volunteer position of Chairman of the Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce from late July 2003 to December 31, 2006.  And in 2007 was appointed by the NAHCC board to serve as its President. A Nashville resident for 10 years, Yuri Cunza became a U.S Citizen on September 22nd, 2006. (click here for extended bio)

Alejandra is as a volunteer coordinator for member outreach and education initiatives. She serves as a community liaison for the NAHCC and has volunteered to assist the Nashville Pregnancy Resource Center on their Hispanic outreach efforts. While coordinating a series of focus groups within our membership, Alejandra helped lead a similar initiative involving participants from our Hispanic community at large. Early this year (2007) she begun training at the NAHCC, helping create and conduct a series of surveys to better understand the needs of our local businesses affiliates identifying potential issues related to population growth and development. The Focus Group series have proven to be an effective educational tool for the NAHCC to assess the most important needs of our growing and vibrant community.