Gonzalez selected to serve as FHA's parade marshal

LINDA GONZALEZ

Linda Gonzalez, CPA, is today's parade marshal for the 27th annual Fiesta Hispano Americana parade set to begin at noon.

This year's parade is dedicated to the memory of Janie Ybarbo, longtime Fiesta Hispano Americana member and supporter, who died this year.

Booths will open around the square at 10 a.m. to kick off the daylong fiesta events around downtown's Monetrey Square.

Gonzalez was born and reared in El Campo and received her B.B.A. degree from Southwest Texas State University in 1979.

She now owns her own firm, Linda Gonzalez P.C.. in Houston. Gonzalez has more than 25 years of public accounting experience, including signifi- cant experience providing tax consultation and planning for closely-held businesses including corporations and partnerships.

Gonzalez also provides tax and fi- nancial planning for entrepreneurs and tax consultation and structuring for inbound foreign investors.

Her professional activities and affiliations include being a Leadership Houston Graduate; board member of Houston Community College Spring Branch Advisory Committee, Women's Business Enterprise Alliance and Leadership 2000 Mentorship Program, Inc.; chairman of the Houston Chapter TSCPA Audit Committee; advisory board member of Latin Women's Initiative; and Committee member of Houston TSCPA Scholarship Committee

She is a member of Leadership Houston, The Houston Minority Business Council, the Houston Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, American Association of Hispanic Financial Professionals, the American Institute of CPA's and the Texas Society of CPAs.

Gonzalez has served as a past treasurer for Leadership Houston; past chairman of Spring Branch ISD Hispanic Advisory Committee, Houston Chapter CPAs Helping Schools Committee, Christus Gulf Coast Strategic Planning and Finance Committee and InterEthnic Forum; and past board member of Christus Health Gulf Coast MBOB.

The motto of Fiesta Hispano Americana organization is: We take pride in our Culture. It supports and endorses education for all and lives with the hope for continued accomplishments and success in all endeavors of future generations of Hispanics.

Its volunteer organization brings together people in the surrounding communities, to promote and celebrate Hispanic heritage and culture.

Fiesta Hispano Americana holds its free annual community event which includes a local parade, pageants, folklorico groups, mariachi groups, children's activities, arts and crafts, and a myriad of food booths selling all types of food, desserts and refreshments.

Fiesta Hispano Americana provides Scholarships to qualified students of Hispanic descent. It's academic scholarships are currently for two years to Wharton County Junior College and are valued at $1,000 each. The organziation awards 10 scholarships each year to qualified seniors.

Recipients include senior students from the following school districts: Wharton, Bay City, El Campo, Van Vleck, Louise, Ganado, East Bernard, Needville, Lamar Consolidated, Foster, B.F. Terry, Brazos, Rice Consolidated and Boling.

Funds for its academic scholarships are primarily raised through the sale of raffle tickets by the various volunteers.

It is through the community support from residents and businesses which has allowed the group to exist for 27 years and its ability to continue promoting education.