Up and Coming Business Award
Guanabana

Guanabana is a lively, fruit-inspired brand that brings a fresh, tropical twist to Jacksonville, Florida. It all began over a decade ago with a simple tricycle cart selling handcrafted ice pops, quickly gaining a local following. Now, with the grand opening of its first brick-and-mortar location at The Palms at Gate Parkway, Guanabana is poised to bring even more fruity fun to the community. Specializing in high-quality, fruit-based treats, Guanabana infuses its offerings with their Latin roots, using authentic flavors and traditional ingredients that celebrate the brand’s cultural heritage.

Jose “Pepe” Perez is a Principal and Founding Member of PQH, a team of multi-disciplined qualified Architects, Contractors and Interior Designers who have been honored to work with both private and public clients. Jose is also one of the founding fathers of HABA/FCHCC and he has been a consistent and long-term supporter of the Chamber.

PQH Group is a full service professional design firm with the specific knowledge and experience to deliver professional design solutions for our clients. Founded in 1982 by Jose Perez, AIA, CGC, PQH has grown to include six principals and a strong, committed support staff which includes Architects, Interior Designers, and General Contractors. With a history spanning over 36 years, PQH Group is Jacksonville’s 6th largest Architectural Firm as ranked by the Jacksonville Business Journal.

Corporate Business of the Year Award
Coca Cola Beverages, Florida

Coke Florida is a family-owned Coca-Cola bottler with an exclusive sales and distribution territory covering over 21 million consumers across 47 Florida counties. They proudly contribute to Florida’s economy through their best-in-class local business operations, providing value to our customers, community engagement, and a growing workforce of 5,000 associates. In 2024, Coke Florida was recognized as a U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte-Private and The Wall Street Journal for a third consecutive year.

Se Habla Espanol en Jacksonville LLC was born in 2019. They realized the need for orientation in Spanish for the services that Hispanics can acquire in our city. Through their interviews, they have helped the local businessman to make himself known in our community. Se Habla Epanol en Jacksonville was the first to use social networks to bring the necessary information to our community, understanding that Hispanics are very connected to social networks, leaving traditional media aside.

Small Business of the Year Award
Se Habla Espanol en Jacksonville

Woman in Business Award
Jessica Mendez, Real 4 JAX Rise Realty Advisors

Jessica Mendez is Venezuelan and has lived in the United States for over 12 years. An accountant by profession and a mother of three, she became a Real Estate Agent in 2018. By 2020, she co-founded the Real 4 Jax Team with her husband and co-leader, Joel Gonzalez. As a successful Realtor®, she has helped hundreds of families achieve their dream of homeownership. Jessica is a devoted wife, mother, friend, and philanthropist, passionately supporting initiatives that benefit the Hispanic community in Northeast Florida.

She loves helping the community by educating them about homeownership and financial management, contributing her time and effort well beyond her day-to-day duties to the betterment of non-profit organizations. Jessica works closely with the Archdiocese of St. Augustine, First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Estrellita de Belén Foundation.

Nelson Estepa was born in New York City and raised in Puerto Rico where he met his lovely wife, Gloria, during High School years. They have remained happily married for over 55 years. He is now a retired Lieutenant Colonel of the U.S. Army, having served his country faithfully during 27 years.  Afterward, he retired from the U.S. Civil Service with the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

A few years later, he joined FCHCC during 2003. During his membership in FCHCC, he has served in various leadership roles such as Director of Membership, Director at Large in the Board of Directors, and FCHCC Executive Director. Nelson Estepa has been a true role model for the community and continues to serve as a valued volunteer for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for over 17 years. Currently, he serves as the Chamber’s Vice President of Membership and Retention. He has been instrumental in the success and growth of FCHCC and plays a critical role in key initiatives such as the Achieving the Dream Scholarship program.

Legacy in Excellence Award
Nelson Estepa, FCHCC Vice President of Membership & Retention

President Emeritus Award
Angela Merritt, DEX Imaging & FCHCC Excellence in Business Awards Chair

Angela Merritt is a Senior Account Manager/Assistant Manager at DEX Imaging, Inc. in Jacksonville. She helps businesses with solutions for office equipment solutions (copiers, printers, fax machines, scanners, document management). Angela was instrumental in helping to open the Jacksonville branch and trained new employees on products and services including hiring, recruiting, training, customer service, and hitting sales goals.

Angela has a background in Graphic Design and worked previously for a print shop which she feels gives her a unique perspective of what employees deal with as related to their office copiers.  In 2014 and 2015, Angela was honored as Dex Imaging, Inc.’s million dollar producer inductee. Angela also has served on FCHCC’s Board of Directors as well as Chair the ATD Luncheon and Hispanic Heritage Gala for several years and currently is the Chair of the chamber’s Excellence in Business Awards Gala.

We honored this year’s incredible Business Leaders recipients. The evening featured:
🍸 Open bar
🍴 A bountiful feast
🎶 Live music
🎤 Inspiring guest speakers
🎁 And MANY holiday surprises!

Keynote Speaker: Congressman John Rutherford
Special Guest: City Council Member – District 11, Raul Arias
Master of Ceremony: Tenikka Hughes, Anchor, CBS 47 & FOX 30 Action News Jax

About the 5th Annual Excellence in Business Awards Talentos Hispanos: This ceremony is where we recognize successful leaders who have exhibited an outstanding job in their industries and in the community.

Event Details:

📅Date: December 13, 2024
Time: 6 PM – 10 PM

Questions about this event? Contact us here.

Location:

📍 WJCT Studios
100 Festival Park Avenue
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Map

Below, you can learn about the categories for awards for the 2024 Excellence in Business Awards.

PNC Bank