ATLANTA, Oct. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Business leaders from throughout Atlanta gathered for the second annual Hispanic Achievement & Business Leadership Awards (HABLA)--held on Oct. 15, 2009 at 103 West in Buckhead. The awards event, which marked the end of Hispanic Heritage Month, highlighted the accomplishments of the city's Hispanic civic and business leaders by honoring individual achievement in four categories: unsung hero, civic/government, entrepreneur and corporate executive.

"Atlanta's vibrant Hispanic community has many stories to tell. HABLA allows us to showcase a few of the many positive stories during Hispanic Heritage Month by bringing to the forefront the story of four successful Atlanta Latino's who are exceptional role models and citizens," said Ralph E. Herrera, president of Lanza Group LLC, the event's organizer. "Today HABLA honors a doctor, a corporate executive, an executive chef and an attorney--heroes who make a difference every day and are outstanding examples for Hispanic youth to emulate."

The following individuals received awards at HABLA:

    --  Unsung Hero: Dr. Carla Haack, a third-year surgical resident through
        Emory University at Grady Health System.
    --  Civic/Government: Luis Perez-Eguiarte, immigration attorney with
        Kilpatrick Stockton LLP.
    --  Entrepreneur: Hector Santiago, executive chef and owner of Pura Vida
        restaurant.
    --  Corporate Executive: Bianca Rodriguez, associate systems specialist in
        the information technology logistics support department of The Home
        Depot.

HABLA also featured Univision 34's Paola Salazar as Mistress of Ceremonies and included speeches from Lisa Borders, president of the Atlanta City Council and the Henry. W. Grady Health System Foundation, and Salvador De Lara, General Consul of Mexico in Atlanta. Felipe Korzenny, author of "Hispanic Marketing: A Cultural Perspective," served as the event's keynote speaker.

"The response to the second annual Hispanic Achievement & Business Leadership Awards (HABLA) presented by Verizon Wireless has been overwhelming, thanks to our wonderful sponsors for their support and to the community for the many and diverse HABLA nominations we received. HABLA will return next year on Oct. 14, 2010," Herrera said.

Hispanic Achievement & Business Leadership Awards (HABLA) was presented by Verizon Wireless and sponsored by: Lanza Group LLC, Mundo Hispanico, Delta Air Lines Inc., The Coca-Cola Co., Anheuser-Busch Companies Inc., Kroger, Univision 34, and Clear Channel Communications Inc.

About Lanza Group

Lanza Group LLC is an Atlanta-based Hispanic marketing, public relations and events firm that provides bi-cultural marketing solutions--connecting marketers to Hispanics throughout the United States and beyond. Lanza Group produces Atlanta's official Cinco de Mayo celebration - Fiesta Atlanta, as well as Fiesta Georgia - Georgia's Hispanic Heritage Month kick-off celebration as well as the HABLA awards event, which marks the end of Hispanic Heritage Month.

MEDIA CONTACT: Daniela Guevara 706-490-3687

SOURCE Lanza Group, LLC