National Hispanic Professional Organization Expands Into Katy with Fast Growth

 Katy is known for three things; a highly rated school district, shopping at Katy Mills Mall and one of the fastest growing chapters of the National Hispanic Professional Organization (NHPO). The chapter launched in January 2016 by former NHPO Houston Board Member Leah Martinez and her husband Monty Ortiz, owners of Brand-Aid Consulting, a branding company. According to Martinez, “We wanted to bring the culture of the NHPO group to Katy, where there was a need for a good group of networkers due to the exponential growth seen in Katy, TX.”

The networking group has passed an important benchmark of over 100 active and engaged members in ten months. NHPO-Katy now has a full working board in charge of putting on monthly mixers, a free “Weekly Breakfast Roundtable,” networking meet up at Bullritos Katy, as well as and charitable fundraisers that benefit local charities. Their recent fundraiser, “NHPO Katy Yappy Hour” raised over $1,000 for Special Pals Animal Shelter.

According to census figures, Katy has a 29% Hispanic demographic and NHPO-Katy is aggressively targeting small and large businesses to join at the corporate membership level. Currently, approximately 60% of membership is Hispanic with 20 of the 103 members Business Members. Branding expert, Ortiz, explains why businesses should get onboard, “We leverage a business online and community footprint by giving them exposure that leads to Business Development and business leads, plus they help the mission of NHPO. Furthermore, their membership is reciprocal to all other Texas Chapters.”

A board member and staunch supporter of the group, Albert Perez, NFLB, claims to meet 2-4 new people every week. He says he has developed relationships with about 40% of the people he meets.

When asked what they attribute their fast growth of highly committed members, Martinez, related, “We are a member-centric organization that focuses on putting our members first. We have a hard working board that practices a “Servant Leadership” philosophy. On top of that, we support our community paying it forward by giving to local charities. The group is planning their First Annual Sporting Clays Tournament in February to benefit the Lone Star Veterans Association.

NHPO-Katy wants to invite all to attend their October networking event that is slated be the largest to date, with Prospect Mortgage as the sponsor. This month’s event will be free and open to all, at Agave Rio Restaurant and Patio Oasis, 1138 FM 1463 Katy, TX 77494 on October 27, 2016 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. For more information visit them at http://www.nhpokaty.org/ and htps://www.facebook.com/groups/nhpokaty.