Shining a Light on Latinos/Latinas in High Tech

The Social Network Show welcomes our Co-host, Naibe Reynoso to another episode of The Naibe Reynoso Series. Her guest for this episode is Jose Marquez, CEO and President of Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association (LISTA).

Jose Marquez, a 25 year veteran of the telecommunications industry shares with us the mission of LISTA and what is has done for Latinos working in the tech industry. In this episode, you will hear about how Jose got his start in technology and his advice for others who want to work in this field; LISTA's stand on net neutrality; the Emerging Tech Leaders Summit; and the growth of Latinas in technology.

Jose A. Marquez-Leon is the National President, CEO, and Founder of Latinos in Information Sciences and Technology Association (LISTA). In this role he serves as lead advocate on state and federal issues related to the role of Latinos in the technology sector. He is also charged with coordinating organization-wide strategic planning for LISTA initiatives and is executive director of 15 LISTA TechLatino Councils nationwide.Since LISTA’s inception the organization has developed programs to take our community from the “schoolroom to the boardroom.” These programs are designed to introduce technology into classrooms, encourage information technology and science professions among young adults, facilitate technology-related professional development through certification training and job-matching programs, leverage online communications for continued collaboration, and recognize Latinos within the IT industry that are making a difference.

Given his leadership in the Latino community, Jose Marquez-Leon has received several achievement awards including Politics 360 GameChangers Award, Hispanic Trends Magazine Technology Trendsetter 2007, CCG Hispanic Engineer Magazines 100 Most Influential Hispanics in Technology and Business 2006-2014, USHCC East Coast Chamber of the Year Award representing Region 5, NYSCHCC Chamber of the Year Award 2005, Greater NY Chamber of Commerce of the Year 2005, National Hispanic Achievers Award 2004, New York State Federation of Hispanic Chambers of Commerce Member of the Year 2004, Greater NY Chamber of Commerce Advocate ofthe Year 2003, among others. In 2008 Mr. Marquez was appointed to the by President Barack Obama to serve on FCC Committee on Digital and Media Inclusion.

Before founding LISTA in 2004, Jose was Chief Architect and founder of Hispanics in Information Technology and Telecommunications (HITT) where he brought to light the lack of Latino presence in the United States IT and Telecom workforce. Prior to his role in establishing LISTA and HITT, he served as Senior Vice President of Strategic Channels for Mi8 Corporation and President of JAM III Communications Group– an ebusiness solution consulting firm assisting companies with their web strategies, security, and wireless communications.

A 25 year veteran of the telecommunications industry Jose Marquez has held various senior positions from implementation and sales engineering to channel development and internet policy, at companies such as Sprint, MCI, AT&T, Global Crossing and Mi8.

Jose graduated with an engineering degree from Rutgers University as 1981.

Naibe Reynoso

Multiple-Emmy Award winning Journalist Naibe Reynoso’'s  background includes investigative reporting, TV production and entertainment reporting.

A graduate of UCLA with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology with an emphasis on Psychology, Reynoso began her TV career at Warner Bros. where, for 2 years, she worked as a production assistant  for various sitcoms including "The Drew Carey Show." During her stint there, she was featured with the whole production staff on an episode of the Oprah Show.

In 1994, Reynoso began hosting and producing her own Children's Educational Television Show "Chiquitran" for Los Angeles' KWHY Channel 22. In 1996 , she was awarded the National Association of Broadcasters  Service to Children Certificate of Appreciation Award.

By 1997 Naibe transitioned into the position of KWHY TV'’s Entertaiment Anchor/Reporter where she interviewed high-profile celebrities, attended press junkets, awards shows and anchored a nightly entertainment segment.

In 2000 Naibe became part of a start-up team for 24-hour Spanish language cable TV station "Más Arizona" in Phoenix, AZ. While there, she created and hosted two weekly entertainment/talk shows, Más Exitos and Café ñ. Naibe went on to win a Best Talent Emmy for her work on "Más Exitos."

Naibe moved to Denver in 2002 to accept the position of Reporter/Fill-In Anchor on KWGN TV’s WB News. In Denver she covered the Kobe Bryant Scandal, Denver Crime, and Breaking News stories. She remained there until late 2003 when she was asked to audition for the position of co-host on ABC TV’s The View. The audition took place live on October 9 & 10, 2003.

In March 2004, Naibe joined Radiovisa’ Corporation, a 24-hour Spanish Talk Radio Network as co-host and news anchor for their morning radio show, as well as having her own weekly Entertainment Talk Show called "Con Nabie" where she would interview celebrities in intimate, no-holds-barred conversations. The show aired on Los Angeles radio station 830 AM KMXE and was syndicated nationwide.

She also began co-hosting "Al Filo de la Noticia" for KWHY-Channel 22 in 2006. In 2007 she moved on to work as a Freelance journalist for KTLA and Univision.

She also, filled-in as Los Angeles correspondent for Univision's National Entertainment sow "Primer Impacto," interviewing the Latin industry's biggest celebrities including Joan Sebastian and Ana Barbara.

She was a Reelz Channel Host and Correspondent from 2006-20011, where she had her own popular and highly rated weekly show "Twilight Weekly Spotlight".

Since 2009, she has also  had her own movie review segment for Miami's Caracol Radio 1260am called "Vamos al Cine con Naibe  Reynoso." In her segment she talks about movie hits and misses as well as analyzes the latest in Hollywood news.

She also, filled-in as Los Angeles correspondent for Univision's National Entertainment sow "Primer Impacto," interviewieng the biggest celebrities in Spanish language market including Joan Sebastian and Ana Barbara.

Naibe Reynoso is now a freelance correspondent for various Los Angeles outlets including Fox News Latino and CNN Español where her main duties are covering Lifestyle and Entertainment but also jumps in to do News when required.  

Recently, Naibe produced and hosted CNN Español's Golden Globes and Oscar Specials for this years 2012 ceremony. You can also read up on her exciting adventures  on her popular blog "Naibe Roams L.A."