Air Force civilians among top 50 Hispanics

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WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  Hispanic Engineer and Information Technology magazine has included two Air Force civilians among this year’s Top 50 Hispanics in Business and Technology.

Michael L. Dominguez and Michael Montelongo were selected from among hundreds of workers in government, academia and corporate America for their leadership responsibilities, impact on science or technology, contributions to education and community involvement. Dominguez is the assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs, and Montelongo is the assistant secretary of the Air Force for financial management and comptroller.

Dominguez said he is deeply moved by the honor, and gave much of the credit for it to the Air Force.

“The Air Force gave my father an opportunity to leave a south Texas farming community and enter a world where his achievements were limited only by his imagination and abilities,” Dominguez said.

He said he credits his father for any success he has enjoyed, and the Air Force for providing people of all backgrounds a place where everybody makes their way on their own ability and talent.

“This isn't merely the world's greatest Air Force,” Dominguez said. “It's also the world's greatest meritocracy. There is much the Hispanic community has to give to the nation and the Air Force, and much that we Hispanics can benefit from in return.

Montelongo shared those sentiments, adding that his award is a tribute to both a country and an Air Force that values cultural diversity.

“It demonstrates what is possible when opportunity and education intersect with perseverance to realize (one’s) dreams and aspirations,” Montelongo said. “The Air Force is a great place to make this dream come true, and I’m proud to serve our nation as a Hispanic-American and as part of the world’s greatest air and space force.”

Despite his accomplishments, Montelongo said he believes more needs to be done to increase Hispanic and other minority representation in the nation’s science and engineering workforce.

“Our nation’s competitiveness depends on it,” he said.

Hispanic Engineer and Information Technology magazine is published by a minority-owned media services company founded to promote careers and educational opportunities for minorities in engineering, technology and science.