Business
24th Don Quijote Awards Finalists Announced at Dr. Phillips Center
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Source: Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando // Excitement builds for the 24th Annual Don Quijote Awards as the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando (HCCMO) and Prospera revealed the finalists of the four categories, along with this year’s Lifetime Achievement and Hispanic Community Champion award recipients during a press conference that was held at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. The press conference was sponsored by Walt Disney Parks & Resorts and Wells Fargo.
The Don Quijote Awards recognize businesses and individuals committed to excellence and to the development of Central Florida’s Hispanic community. The winner of each category will be announced at the 24th Don Quijote Awards Celebration on Saturday, December 11, 2021, at the Epcot’s World Showplace Pavilion. This black-tie award celebration will be from 6:00pm to midnight with Telemundo 31 news anchors Olga Aymat and Carlos Rausseo as this year’s masters of ceremony.
The 2021 Don Quijote Awards finalists are:
Hispanic Business of the Year, Five Years or Less:
This year’s Don Quijote Awards Business of the Year-Five Years or Less finalists were announced at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando. Photo: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News.
- Capella Immigration Law, PLLC, Represented by Attorney Camila Pachón Roldán
- Prime Services LLC, Represented by the owner Milna Maldonado
- Vinali Staffing, Represented by its owners Ruth and Israel Vélez
Hispanic Business of the Year, More than Five Years:
This year’s Don Quijote Awards Business of the Year-Five Years or More finalists were announced at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando. Photo: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News.
- Castillo Engineering Services, LLC, Represented by owners Richard and Christopher Castillo
- JIRACOR, Represented by owners Jeannette and Richard Coronado
- Total Nutrition Technology, Represented by company founder Lourdes McAgy
Professional of the Year:
This year’s Don Quijote Awards Professional of the Year finalists were announced at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando. Photo: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News.
- Diana Almodovar, Deputy Director and County Engineer at Orange County Public Works Department
- Dr. Cyndia Morales Muñiz, Director of Hispanic Serving Institution Culture and Partnerships at the University of Central Florida
- Karla Muñiz, Executive Director of Strategic Workforce Integration at AdventHealth
Excellence Award:
This year’s Don Quijote Awards Excellence Award finalists were announced at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando. Photo: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News.
- Dr. Luis Martínez-Fernández, Professor of History at the University of Central Florida
- Orlando Rolón, Chief of Orlando Police Department
- Carlos Torres, Uniform Patrol Division Commander at Orange County Sheriff’s Office
The Hispanic Community Champion and Lifetime Achievement awards recipients are uniquely chosen by the Don Quijote Awards Selection Committee.
Hispanic Community Champion Award
OUC CEO and General Manager Clint Bullock was announced as the 2021 Don Quijote Awards Hispanic Community Champion at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando. Photo: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News.
This award is given to a non-Hispanic individual who has led by example in supporting the progress of the Hispanic community in Central Florida. The recipient of this award is chosen by the Don Quijote Awards Selection Committee focusing on contributions to the Hispanic community; evidence of promoting Hispanic professionals, executives, and board members within the nominee’s respective organization and in the general community; demonstrated leadership or community involvement to benefit the Hispanic community; and honors or awards.
The winner of the 2021 Don Quijote Hispanic Community Champion Award is Clint Bullock, General Manager and CEO at Orlando Utilities Commission – OUC The Reliable One. Bullock serves as the CEO and General Manager of OUC, Florida’s second-largest municipal utility. They provide electric and water services to approximately 400 thousand accounts in Orlando, St. Cloud, and unincorporated Orange and Osceola counties. Mr. Bullock began his career with OUC as a summer student and excelled in progressive roles during the past 30 years. His leadership has been integral in upholding OUC’s reputation as The Reliable One.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Univision’s Paul Gamache was announced as the 2021 Don Quijote Awards Lifetime Achievement Award recipient at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando. Photo: Harry Castiblanco/Florida National News.
This award recognizes an individual who has made significant and lasting contributions to the development and empowerment of the Hispanic community in Central Florida. This year the honor goes to Emmy Award Winner, Senior News Director and Producer at Univision Orlando Paul Gamache. A pioneer in the local Spanish-language news market, Paul Gamache is one of the most trusted sources of information in Central Florida and a regional Hispanic icon for nearly three decades.
Paul Gamache is a truly high caliber news professional and mentor for many young Latino journalists and interns that have had the privilege of working in the same newsroom with him. There is no doubt that when you speak of excellence and credibility in Spanish language news in the Central Florida market, there is one name that stands out: Paul Gamache – Senior News Anchor for Noticias Univision Orlando.
The Don Quijote Awards are made possible thanks to the support of Walt Disney World Resort, Wells Fargo, AdventHealth, Bank of America, Universal Orlando Resort, Florida Blue, Orlando Health, PNC Bank, VyStar Credit Union, Duke Energy, Fairwinds, Heart of Florida United Way, JP Morgan Chase, Kidsville Pediatrics, Nemours Children’s Hospital, Orlando Magic, T&G Constructors, Travel & Leisure, Valencia College, Addition Financial, The Trentham Santiago Group, University of Central Florida, Visit Orlando, Orlando International Airport, iHeart Media, Univision Orlando, Telemundo 31, La Prensa Newspaper, Florida National News among many more. For more information on the Don Quijote Awards, please visit www.donquijoteawards.com.
Florida National News and FNN News en Español will provide on-site coverage of the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at Cranes Roost Park.
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. (FNN) — Hola at the Park will bring Hispanic culture, local businesses and live entertainment to Cranes Roost Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 2 to 6 p.m.
Hosted by the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando and presented by AdventHealth, the event celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month through food, entertainment, entrepreneurship and community connections.
According to the chamber’s event announcement, admission is free, the celebration is open to the community and no registration is required.
FNN to Spotlight Businesses and Community Voices
Florida National News and FNN News en Español, official media sponsors, will be on location covering the festivities.
The FNN team will spotlight chamber representatives, sponsors, participating businesses and community leaders, while sharing attendees’ perspectives throughout the afternoon.
Coverage will highlight the people, businesses and cultural traditions contributing to the celebration.
Photo: Florida National News
Food, Entertainment and Family Activities
The chamber’s announcement lists authentic cuisine, live entertainment, local businesses, wellness experiences, community resources, networking and family-friendly activities among the event’s offerings.
Attendees will have opportunities to explore Hispanic traditions, connect with entrepreneurs and learn about organizations serving Central Florida.
Photo: Florida National News
A Waterfront Setting in Uptown Altamonte
Cranes Roost Park, located in Uptown Altamonte, features a waterfront setting with scenic walkways around Cranes Roost Lake and the Eddie Rose Amphitheater and floating stage.
The park will serve as the gathering place for an afternoon celebrating Hispanic heritage and the connections between culture, business and community.
Event Details
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026
- Time: 2–6 p.m. EDT
- Location: Cranes Roost Park, Altamonte Springs
- Host: Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando
- Presenting sponsor: AdventHealth
- Admission: Free and open to the community
- Registration: Not required
Photo: Florida National News
Vendor Inquiries
For information about vendor opportunities, contact the Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando at info@hispanicchamber.com or events@hispanicchamber.com.
The refrigerated lineup includes five single-serve dishes and two family-size meals.
BATAVIA, Ill. (FNN) — ALDI will begin rolling out seven ready-made meals in select stores in early October, with single-serve dishes priced under $8 and family-size options under $15. The grocer expects the full lineup to be available nationwide by January 2027.
The collection includes five single-serve meals: beef Bolognese spaghetti, beef brisket with white mac and cheese, butter chicken and rice, a chicken burrito bowl, and chicken fettuccine Alfredo. The two family-size dishes are chicken and bacon mac and cheese and a meat lovers pizza bake.
“Our shoppers are looking for meals that fit into busy lives,” said Joan Kavanaugh, vice president of national buying for ALDI U.S. She said the company developed the lineup with shoppers’ budgets and demand for convenient meals in mind.
Price and preparation
ALDI said the single-serve meals contain 30 to 46 grams of protein each. The family-size dishes contain 16 to 22 grams per serving. The company announced price limits for the two sizes but did not list a price for each individual meal.
“We tested hundreds of recipes as we developed this collection,” said Terry Jackson, head of food at Kitchen Food Company, ALDI’s supplier for the meals. Jackson said the team focused on flavor and ingredients while developing the dishes.
The meals are refrigerated, not frozen. ALDI says the single-serve dishes can be heated in a microwave, while the family-size meals are prepared in an oven. Shoppers should follow the directions on each package.
2026 Hispanic Chamber Hola at the Park. Uptown Altamonte Springs, Florida at beautiful Cranes Roost Park Saturday, October 3, 2026 (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM) (EDT)
When and where to find them
The meals will be stocked in the refrigerated meals section near the front of ALDI stores. Availability will vary during the rollout, which begins in select markets in early October and expands through the fall. ALDI also plans to offer additional meals through its limited-time ALDI Finds assortment each month over the following year. corporate.aldi.us
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