SOMOS New York

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  JANUARY 17, 2012

Contact: Antonio Martinez, Exec. Director,  Tel. 646 619 5192, somosed@gmail.com

SOMOS EL FUTURO ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT & CHAIRMAN,

 CESAR ASTRALAGA

Colombian-American to lead New York’s Premier Statewide Organization for Policy and Advocacy in the Hispanic/Latino Community.

 (New York, NY) Cesar Astralaga, Albany resident and international businessman, was elected President & Chair of Somos el Futuro, Inc. at the Somos Annual Board meeting this past weekend. Astralaga will succeed current President and Chair, Sonia Ivany, who resigned her position due to her present extensive work obligations and still remains an active member of the Board. “I am honored to have Cesar take stewardship of the Somos organization for this year,” stated Assemblyman and NYS Assembly Puerto Rican & Hispanic Task Force Chair Felix Ortiz (D-Brooklyn), “Cesar brings a wide breadth of international business experience to the table. He also provides a strong voice for the thousands of Hispanics who live in upstate New York.”  Astralaga also makes history as the first Colombian-American to lead the organization, as Somos has primarily always had leaders who were of Puerto Rican, Dominican, or Cuban descent.  “Cesar represents the ever increasing diversity of New York from Latin America that is one of the fastest growing populations across our state,” said Somos Executive Director, Antonio Martinez.

Cesar’s twenty-two year career in international markets most recently included serving as International Sales Manager for Environment One (E-One) Corporation in Niskayuna, NY, as International Sales Manager for G.A. Braun, as Product Manager for Carrier Corporation, and as Latin America Manager for D.J. Giancola Exports, Inc. based in Syracuse, NY.  He also served as International Manager for W.M. Cissell Manufacturing in Louisville, KY.  Cesar has traveled extensively throughout the world assisting businesses in market penetration and creating environmentally safer communities.

Caesar earned a degree in Economics from the Maxwell School of Syracuse University and is currently pursuing a Masters in International Business (M. I. B.) from Southern New Hampshire University.  He is a 4 year member of the Tech-Valley Global Business Network.  A native of Cali, Colombia, Cesar is a naturalized U.S. citizen, residing in the Capital Region of New York State.  “As Somos’ vision is to be a New York bridge of opportunity for all ethnic groups across the world, I am honored to take on this responsibility for 2012,” stated Astralaga.

Join Somos el Futuro and its “25 years of celebrating our history, expanding our horizons, and strengthening our community” this March 23-25, 2012 in Albany, NY.   Details at: www.somosnewyork.org