Hispanic Bar Association honors American Airlines VP

by PegNews wire

DALLAS — The Dallas Hispanic Bar Association announced today that it has chosen Gary Kennedy, General Counsel of American Airlines, to receive the 2008 Corporate Counsel Diversity Award.

DHBA will honor Mr. Kennedy for the efforts that he has made to increase the diversity of professionals within his legal department and to implement standards for diversity that he requires outside counsel to meet. Mr. Kennedy will be presented the Award at DHBA’s Third Annual Lighting the Path to Legal Education Dinner on September 17, 2008.

"The Dallas Hispanic Bar Association sets high standards for its organization, and does outstanding work to help young people in this community, as well its members, so we at American Airlines are especially honored to be recognized for meeting, and exceeding, their diversity goals," said Kennedy. "At American, we know there are outstanding lawyers from all backgrounds and walks of life. Our goal is to find those individuals and provide them a mutually beneficial opportunity and an environment where diversity is embraced as way of doing business."

At the Annual Event, DHBA will also present Regina Montoya the 2008 La Luz Achievement Award. Ms. Montoya will be recognized for her career accomplishments and, more importantly, her commitment to the professional advancement of the Latino community. Ms. Montoya is the CEO of New America Alliance, a nonprofit organization comprised of successful American Latino business leaders, whose mission is to promote the economic advancement of the Latino community. In 2007. Ms. Montoya was named the "Latina Lawyer of the Year" by the Hispanic National Bar Association. She was one of the first Latinas to earn partnership in a national law firm in the United States, served in the Clinton Administration as an Assistant to the President and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, and was a U.S. public delegate to the United Nations.

“DHBA is looking forward to a wonderful evening honoring Regina Montoya and Gary Kennedy,” says Aaron R. Ramirez, President of the DHBA. “DHBA is extremely honored to present the Corporate Counsel Diversity Award to Mr. Kennedy and American Airlines for their demonstrated commitment to diversity within the legal profession.”

Source: DHBA