Latin-American Chamber of Commerce Dismisses President

Jul 11, 2008 by Jeff Robinson

(KCPW News) There's been a shake-up in the leadership of an organization that represents more than 650 Hispanic-owned businesses in Utah. Or has there? Antonella Packard insists she is still president of the Latin American Chamber of Commerce, even though the board of trustees unanimously voted to dismiss her from the position on Tuesday.

"This is an internal issue that we hope to have resolved within the next week. Hopefully, we'll have more information for everyone then," she said.

Founder and Executive Director Renetta Coppard sent out an e-mail, labeled as a "warning," that Packard had been dismissed. Coppard says the announcement was called a "warning" because Packard still claims to be the president.

She says Packard, along with Vice President Juan Ruiz, were dismissed because they wanted to receive a salary.

"They were overworking themselves, and they felt like they were entitled to compensation and payments," she told KCPW. "We don't have any paid positions because we're all volunteers. So, not coming to an agreement, we had to let them go."

Coppard said the board is meeting again this afternoon to discuss how to strengthen its bylaws because of this situation. The organization sent out another release thanking Packard for her service.  Enrique Yescas, owner of Pier 49 Pizza, was appointed the new president.

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