GDHCC Appoints Veteran Staffer Chief Operating Officer

DALLAS, TX – The Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GDHCC) today proudly announced Yolanda Tafoya as its new Chief Operating Officer. Tafoya, who joined the GDHCC as a receptionist in 1991 will now oversee operations of one of the largest and most prestigious chambers in the nation.

For 16 years, Tafoya has proved to be a vital driver of the Chamber’s mission of fostering Hispanic business in Dallas and has made major contributions to nearly every aspect of the organization’s services and operations. Most recently, the GDHCC board named Tafoya interim COO to continue the organization’s record setting fundraising efforts and innovative program development. The call for accelerated leadership came during an important period when the board searched for a president and CEO.

“Yolanda Tafoya is a pillar in Dallas’ Hispanic business community,” said Victor Zepeda, Chair of the Board, GDHCC. “The board and staff are grateful to Yolanda for allowing us to look to her for steadfast leadership during a critical time in our organization’s growth and development.”

Tafoya’s appointment is also timely as the Chamber heads into a new era with the veteran’s promotion and the recent selection of CiCi Rojas as president and CEO.

“The Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce owes much of its success to Yolanda Tafoya’s tireless dedication to our organization,” said Rojas. “She has seen and ushered the chamber from some of its most challenging times to its best moments. It is important and fitting that she continue to play a major role in this chamber’s future.”

Starting out as a receptionist, Tafoya worked in membership services and accounting, before graduating to director of events, and eventually, director of operations. She has spearheaded the orchestration and execution of countless annual events including many series of networking seminars, large job fairs and expos, and prestigious scholarship and entrepreneur award banquets, golf tournaments and luncheons.

“I want to sincerely thank the GDHCC leadership from which I have had the honor of serving throughout my time at the chamber,” said Tafoya. “Their confidence and support has allowed me to invest my career into the mission of this organization and I’m excited about the opportunity to contribute to the chamber on a new platform.”

Established in 1939, the GDHCC is one of the largest, and influential Chambers in the United States, having been recognized National Chamber of the Year a record five times. The GDHCC is the voice of Hispanic business and proudly serves and represents its more than 2,000 member businesses in the greater Dallas region with innovation, advocacy and committed leadership.