Expand Your Business Reach with Hispanic Insights

Join us for an insightful luncheon featuring Rob Flores, President of Puente Marketing Communications, and Beto Lopez, President & CEO of Guadalupe Centers.

The Hispanic population in the United States is undergoing rapid growth and diversification.  According to the US Census Bureau between 2022 and 2023, this population accounted for just under 71% of the overall growth of the United States. Understanding this diverse and dynamic market is key to expanding your business reach!
 

Norberto (Rob) Ayala-Flores – President, Puente Marketing Communications, LLC Norberto is an advertising and marketing veteran in both the general and Hispanic market arenas. He is a first-generation Latino, born and raised in western Nebraska with his 15 brothers and sisters, where he was fortunate to grow up in a vibrant bicultural community anchored by his family and his rural community. He brings a deep respect and passion for the Latino culture to his clients who engage Puente Marketing when they want to know more about connecting with the growing Latino market in the U.S. Rob founded Puente Marketing in 2003 and has worked with clients in multi-unit retail operations, pet care, financial services, telecommunications, multi-unit retail operations, healthcare insurance, health & wellness, and with a number of non-profit entities.

Rob has served as an adjunct professor for the graduate program at University of Kansas-Edwards Campus in Multicultural Marketing Communications. He has participated in several Professional In-Residence teaching programs for the University of Iowa, University of Nebraska, University of Missouri-Columbia, and University of Central Missouri. He is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has an M.A. from Wichita State University with an emphasis in Latin American Literature and Culture. He recently was recognized as an accomplished multicultural alum and honoree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln having dedicated time and resources with the current UNL student population and their courses.

He currently serves as Board Chair of Resurrection Catholic School in KCK, a member of The University of Kansas Medical Advancement Board, The University of Kansas-Edwards IMC Advisory Board, Kansas City Ad Club, The Center for Practical Bioethics and is a past Board Chair for The Nelson Atkins Museum Friends of Art Council and El Centro Inc. He and his wife Rebecca have four daughters and have lived in Kansas City, MO since 1997.

Beto Lopez is currently the President and CEO of the Guadalupe Centers (GC). He joined GC in 2017 as Chief Operating Officer after spending over 25 years in commercial real estate brokerage - development and banking. Beto earned his undergraduate degree from Rockhurst College (1991) and a Master of Business Administration from Baker University (1994). He began his professional career as a business development specialist at the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City upon graduation from Rockhurst College in 1991. He joined Cohen-Esrey Real Estate Co, and earned the firm’s “rookie of the year” award as the top new sales agent in 1995. He then moved on to small business and commercial lending at various financial institutions that included, US Bank, Arvest Bank, and Community America Credit Union. Prior to joining GC, he was a partner with ARO Real Estate Development Company. In 2017 Beto was successfully elected as a city council member in the city of Lee's Summit and was appointed as Mayor Pro-Tempore. He was re-elected for a second term in April of 2022. Throughout his professional career, Beto has felt a duty to give back to the community and has served on numerous volunteer boards and commissions.

Beto is married to Venessa Maxwell-Lopez who is a local practicing attorney and together have raised 3 daughters; Michaela (Age 26) 2020 KU graduate; currently at UMKC School of Medicine; Celena (Age 24) 2022 Northwest MO State graduate, teacher in the BSSD; and Sophia (Age 23) 2024 William Jewell College graduate (Softball Student athlete). Beto has been an active parish member at St. Marks in Independence for over 25 years. He enjoys spending time with his family, attending sporting events, and playing golf. He is a die-hard Royals and Chiefs fan.
 

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