DEar readers:

The inaccurate perception that Hispanics work only in the service fields, as pointed out by Jose Marquez Leon, one of this month’s trendsetters, can be very limiting. Yet there are a number of Hispanic technology companies that have become very successful. Alienware is one of those companies. Founded 10 years ago in Miami by two avid computer game fanatics, the company now has sales of more than over $225 million yearly. It was purchased last year by Dell in one of the computer giant’s first acquisitions, although it continues to be operated by founders Alex Aguila and Nelson Gonzalez.
Along with our annual list of the Top 50 companies for supplier diversity, which serves as a reference for businesses looking for potential Fortune 500 customers, we have interviewed the founder and CEO of Diversity Quest, a company that connects minority suppliers to big corporations. In the past few months, many business owners have recognized the need for a fresh online presence that takes advantage of the Internet comeback, regardless of their industry. Jennifer LeClaire explores the topic of creating a new Internet strategy for the Web 2.0.
Also on the topic of technology, we interview Thaddeus Arroyo, who has been recognized as one of the most influential Hispanics in the technology field. He has been promoted to chief information officer of the new AT&T after its acquisition of BellSouth. Arroyo will face the complex challenge of merging the technologies of two communications giants and make them work as one.
As Arroyo puts it, there are very few businesses that can operate today in the absence of a strong technological infrastructure. This issue’s technology special begins the year by focusing on an area that will gain great importance in 2007; we hope that this and upcoming issues will help your company benefit from the many changes that will affect business in the road ahead.

Best,

Carlos A. Alfaro
EDITOR
calfaro@hisp.com