Hector V. Barreto, Jr. Joins Zana Network Advisory Board

DETROIT, March 12  /PRNewswire/ -- ZANA Network, LLC, an online marketplace and business development resource serving small and medium enterprises (SMEs) worldwide, today announced that Hector V. Barreto, Jr. has joined the ZANA Network Advisory Board.  The current chairman of The Latino Coalition, an umbrella organization for many of the nation's leading Hispanic business advocacy groups, Barreto also served as Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) for several years and brings to ZANA Network a wealth of experience in small business, entrepreneurship and private/public partnerships.

"ZANA Network has become an important 'go-to' resource and one of the best overall marketplaces for information related to small business," said Barreto. "Progress is being made in the small business community as a result.  Joining the ZANA Network board is a natural extension of my commitment to be involved with organizations that provide tools and resources to our small business community and help Americans help themselves by working, participating and contributing to our nation's, as well as their own, economic development and success."

As chairman of The Latino Coalition, a non-profit organization based in Los Angeles, Barreto addresses policy that directly affects the well-being of Hispanics in the United States. Under his leadership, The Latino Coalition works to develop and promote resources and influence policies that foster business, economic and social development of Hispanics.  He joined The Latino Coalition in April 2006 after five years as administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration. During his tenure at the SBA, the organization set records in generating small business loans, support for women- and minority-owned businesses and public-private procurement opportunities.

Barreto joins an already outstanding group of board advisors, including Board Chairman Reid Rundell, former executive with GM and founder and former EVP of Saturn Corporation; Richard Kughn, chairman and president of Kughn Enterprises; Lizabeth Ardisana, CEO of ASG Renaissance and former chairperson of the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; the Honorable Robert Gray, president and founder of Gray and Company and chairman of President Ronald Reagan's Inaugural Committee; Pete Homer, Jr., president/CEO and founder of the National Indian Business Association in Washington, D.C.; Patricia Paoletta, partner with Harris, Wiltshire & Grannis LLP and director of Telecommunications Trade Policy in the office of the U.S. Trade Representative; Gail Schultz, CFO of Kughn Enterprises; and the Honorable Clayton Yeutter, former Secretary of Agriculture and former president and chairman of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.

"Hector Barreto's membership on the ZANA Network board is a significant milestone in our efforts to grow our membership and empower small businesses to succeed," said ZANA Network Chief Executive Officer Howard Keating.  "Small business is the fastest growing business segment of America, and the Hispanic community is the fasting growing segment of our population. Hector's experience as an entrepreneur, small business owner and leader in both private industry and public service will prove invaluable to ZANA Network members."

ZANA Network provides a one-stop menu of online services that enables businesses to buy and sell products and services, request products and services, develop alliances and partnerships with other members and acquire essential business services. ZANA Network helps all types of businesses -- from startups launching their first product to professionals building referral networks for their services to established companies in any industry -- reach more potential customers locally, nationally and internationally. ZANA Network offers access to more than 7,000 government contracts and its global market resources section provides information and resources on how to do business in more than 200 countries worldwide.

ZANA Network also offers international financing and credit; credit insurance; access to business loans from $5,000 to $2 million from major banks to start up, acquire or expand a business; health and business insurance products; shipping and logistics; credit reports; and numerous other resources to help make SMEs more connected, efficient and profitable. Membership has been growing at a steady pace since ZANA Network launched nine months ago, especially with its ongoing improvements to benefits offered, such as insured receivables, partnerships with DHL, Amazon.com and others, and more.

About The Latino Coalition

The Latino Coalition (TLC) is a non-profit nationwide organization based in Los Angeles, Calif., with offices in Washington, D.C. and Mexico (Mexico City & Guadalajara). TLC was established to address policy issues that directly affect the well-being of Hispanics in the United States. TLC's agenda is to develop and promote policies that will foster economic equivalency and enhance overall business, economic and social development of Hispanics. For more information, visit TLC's website at http://www.thelatinocoalition.com/.

About ZANA Network, LLC

ZANA Network is an online marketplace and business development resource for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) worldwide. ZANA Network provides selling, buying and partnering opportunities, trade resources, business guidance and essential services, and enables entrepreneurs, inventors, professionals and other SME business people to come together in a community for mutual benefit. ZANA Network helps businesses grow faster and more profitably. For more information, visit http://www.zananetwork.com/.

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link. Ray Thomas http://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=65946 Howard Keating http://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=65947 

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