The Pittsburgh Steelers have selected Ric Pérez as the recipient of the NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award, a recognition made possible through the support of Bud Light.
The NFL and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) have partnered for the second annual NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Awards Presented by Bud Light during the 2012 celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The awards recognize the contributions of Hispanic leaders in each NFL market.
The Steelers will honor Pérez on September 16 at their Hispanic Heritage game when they face the New York Jets.
Pérez is the President/COO of Westinghouse Electric and brings 30 years of experience in commercial nuclear energy production to the company. He personally spearheaded the coalition of Pittsburgh-based energy companies' launch of pilot program to attract and connect diverse workers. Pérez currently serves as a Charter Board Member of Vibrant Pittsburgh, the region's leading program to grow diversity in the western Pennsylvania area. He sponsors professional and student chapters of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, as well as the Pittsburgh Metro Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He and his wife Kim have also specifically focused on making the Pittsburgh area more welcoming for non-U.S. born and diverse residents. Pérez holds a bachelor's degree in metallurgical engineering from the University of Florida and a master's degree in energy resources from the University of Pittsburgh. Pérez is a member of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, the American Society for Non-Destructive Testing, the American Nuclear Society and the Spanish Nuclear Society.
With support from Bud Light, each award recipient will select an organization of their choice that serves the local Hispanic community to receive a $3,000 donation.
"Bud Light is recognizing 32 great leaders in each of the 32 NFL cities with this award," said Margarita Flores, vice president of community affairs for Anheuser-Busch. "We applaud all the recipients for their work in making a difference in and improving their local communities."
Pérez has chosen the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers' Carnegie Mellon University Chapter to receive this donation. The organization mission is to promote the development of Hispanics in engineering, science and other technical professions to achieve educational and professional excellence.
Bud Light and Anheuser-Busch have been a longtime friend and partner of the Latino community, enriching people's lives by supporting organizations that make a positive difference. In the past two decades alone, grants and contributions in support of the Latino community have totaled more than $64 million.
The NFL will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month during Week 3 of the 2012 season. A national spotlight will be shined on the NFL's celebration during Thursday Night Football, Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football. The New York Giants take on the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, September 20, the New England Patriots face the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, September 23 and the Green Bay Packers take on the Seattle Seahawks on Monday, September 24.
Contacts:
Burt Lauten, Pittsburgh Steelers: 412/432-7820, lautenb@steelers.nfl.com
Darlene Capiro, NFL: 212/450-2175, darlene.capiro@nfl.com
Antonio Tijerino, HHF: 703/871-4844, antonio@hispanicheritage.org
Phillip Cleveland, Bud Light: 314/577-9637, phillip.cleveland@anheuser-busch.com
Joe Muehlenkamp, Bud Light: 314/577-7528, joseph.muehlenkamp@anheuser-busch.com
About Anheuser-Busch
Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 47.7 percent share of U.S. beer sales to retailers. The company brews Budweiser and Bud Light, two of the world's largest-selling beers. Anheuser-Busch is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and has been a leading aluminum recycler for more than 30 years. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev, the leading global brewer, and continues to operate under the Anheuser-Busch name and logo. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com.
About the Hispanic Heritage Foundation
Since 1987, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) has inspired, identified, prepared and positioned Latino leaders. There call to action is to "help a Latino help a hundred more." Please visit www.HispanicHeritage.org for more information.
