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In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Cox is spotlighting local leaders who are the heart and soul of our community

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2023

Contact:
Andrea Katsenes
(602) 694-1275
Andrea.katsenes@cox.com

Their inspiring stories are featured in 30-second spots running on Cox channels

PHOENIX: In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Cox is spotlighting individuals in central and southern Arizona who are making a difference in our community by sharing their stories in Cox-produced 30-second spots that will air across the Cox channel lineup.

Greater Phoenix Honorees

  • Michael Flores

His love for mariachi began in his youth, and soon Michael Flores was performing on the internal stage at the 2000 Olympics in Australia.  As the Musical Director at Rosie’s House Music Academy for Children, Michael is guided by his goal of teaching the history of mariachi along with the traditions of the Mexican culture passed down from generation to generation.

Michael Flores photo, courtesy of Cox
  • Debbie Esparza

For over 25 years in banking, entrepreneurship, academics, and now non-profit, Debbie Esparza has always championed equality for women, girls, and people of color.  Today she serves the community as CEO at YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix, working to eliminate racism and empower women.

  • Angel Encinas

An Arizona native, raised in the heart of downtown Chandler and an ASU graduate, Chandler City Council member Angel Encinas is deeply connected to the community he serves.  Serving on the city’s Community Safety, Neighborhoods and Technology subcommittees, Angel is firmly committed to enhancing safety and innovation in his city.

Angel Encinas photo courtesy of Cox
  • Kaitlyn Leyva

A dedicated member of Cox’s sales and customer care team, Kaitlyn Leyva’s impact goes beyond working with our customers. A recent graduate of Valle Del Sol’s Hispanic Leadership program, she is also a dedicated volunteer in the community.  Kaitlyn can be found putting together STEM kits for the Boys and Girls Club kids or building Emergency Food Kits for those in need alongside her fellow Cox employees who contribute more than 50,000 hours each year to local nonprofits.

Southern Arizona Honorees

  • Felipe Garcia

As Visit Tucson’s President & CEO, Felipe Garcia’s expertise shines, along with his skills and passion for our community.  Felipe drives tourism to the entire region and under his leadership, Tucson has been featured in multiple shows on the Food Network, along with two episodes of “Pati’s Mexican Table” reminding viewers of Tucson’s unique designation as the U.S.’s first UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

  • Steven Acevedo

Growing up on Tucson’s west side, Steven is a proud graduate of the University of Arizona. After joining the Tucson Police Department, he served 10 years as a patrol officer.  Now a detective, Steven is on the Adult Sexual Assault Investigative Detail, part of the Special Victims Section. Often partnering with the Pima County Attorney’s Office of Victim Services and the diplomatic consulates of Mexico and Guatemala, Steven is dedicated to keeping our community members safe.

  • Eloy Mayor Micah Powell

Eloy Mayor Micah Powell was first elected to the city council in 2012, rising to mayor in 2020.   A Hispanic Leadership Institute graduate, he’s a strong supporter of bringing and keeping jobs in Eloy and is committed to working with everyone regardless of their political party and the area they represent.

  • Bertina Villaseñor

Serving on the Cox Field Services team, Bertina Villaseñor tirelessly gives her time to the community.  She can be found decorating a Cox truck for the Sierra Vista parade or serving on the Cox Charities employee committee that grants support to local charities.  Bertina constantly rallies her Cox team members to join her in volunteering in the community, and with her help, contributes nearly 55,000 hours of service to local nonprofit projects annually.

Click here to visit YurView which contains the 30-second spots highlighting our inspiring public service leaders: https://www.yurview.com/arizona/

Why it matters:

This marks the 17th year that Cox has proudly showcased the good works of leaders.  Past leaders that have been featured include U.S. Congressmen Juan Ciscomani and Ruben Gallegos; Henry Cejudo, MMA fighter, Dr. Javier Cardenas, Barrow Neurological Institute in the Department of Child Neurology, Maria Mazon, owner and executive chef of Tucson’s Boca Tacos; Jose Luiz Gomez with the Tucson Philharmonic, and Luis Gonzalez, MLB World Series Champion, to name a few.

“This year, Cox is shining the light on the good works of some special leaders whose passion for serving our community drives them and inspires others to be extraordinary,” says Susan Anable, Cox Phoenix Market Vice President.  “These might be people that are not typically recognized and we wanted to take this opportunity to honor these ‘unsung heroes’ that have made a valuable mark in our community.”

About Cox Communications

Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through technology. As the largest private broadband company in America, we operate fiber broadband networks in more than 30 states, providing connections and advanced cloud and managed IT services for nearly seven million homes and businesses nationwide. We’re dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrating diverse products, people, suppliers, communities, and the characteristics that make each one unique. In Arizona, Cox generates nearly $5.5 billion in total economic impact annually and the 3,100 Arizona employees of Cox are proud to have volunteered more than 51,000 hours each year in the communities where we live and work.  Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in 1898 by Governor James M. Cox.

The commercial division of Cox Communications, Cox Business, provides a broad commercial solutions portfolio, including advanced cloud and managed IT solutions and fiber-based network solutions that create connected environments, and unique hospitality experiences and support diverse applications for nearly 370,000 businesses nationwide. For more information, please visit www.coxbusiness.com.

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