About Us
About The Americano:
The Americano is a bilingual site that offers a different take on news and opinion. It looks to offer a more balanced view on all the issues that concern American Hispanics today, while celebrating the richness of Hispanic Heritage. It is a place where people can express themselves and read about similar traditional principles.
We have gathered a fantastic group of journalists and experts to offer you smart information on all the important aspects of Hispanic life.
Why the name, The Americano?
Our site is inclusive of all americanos that have come to live to the United States. Whether you are first, second, third or fourth generation Hispanic- or whether you speak English or Spanish or both- our content is catered to what unites us all which is our American Hispanic Heritage.
Who We Are:
The Americano is a company of Gingrich Communications.
Sylvia F. Garcia, Editor in Chief
Sylvia Garcia has worked as a reporter, senior editor, and project manager for the American Hispanic market for over ten years. She graduated from the University of Miami in Broadcast Journalism and Spanish Language. She then moved to Ecuador where she practiced journalism as a writer and reporter for a television station. This helped her in her quest to attain a stronger grasp of Latin American culture. A year later, she obtained a position in Miami, Florida, with a Spanish online portal as a Senior Editor where she worked for five years until she was transferred to Madrid, Spain, to work as a leading Project Manager and oversaw editors in seven Latin American countries. She returned to Miami and began working for Gingrich Communications. She is currently the Hispanic Outreach Director for Speaker Newt Gingrich and his organization, manages the newt.org/ParaLatinos site, and works on special projects for the company. She is a founder of The Americano.
Alberto Acereda, Content Director
In the field of media and opinion editorials and columns, he is a contributor and columnist in several news outlets in the United States, Europe and Latin America, particularly in Libertad Digital, the most widely read Internet newspaper in Spanish language. He has been the editor and director of the news and opinion websites USA Digital, Diario de América and Semanario Atlántico and he has authored numerous opinion columns and articles. Alberto Acereda is a university Professor of Spanish and Latin American Literatures and a Member of the North American Academy of the Spanish Language, a branch of the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language. In his scholarly and academic work in several U.S. universities, Alberto Acereda has published fifteen books, monographs and editions on Hispanic literatures and cultures. He is also the author of more than a hundred scholarly articles and reviews in prestigious literary and academic refereed journals. Alberto Acereda is a founder of The Americano.
Matt Scofield, Director of Online Communications
Matt is a graduate of the top ranked MIS program at the University of Arizona, teaches web design regularly and is Director of Online Communications for Gingrich Communications.
Melissa Blair, Senior Editor for Young Conservatives
Melissa Blair is a proud Mom, Navy veteran, business owner and former teacher. She’s currently working on her doctoral degree in Public Administration at the University of North Texas. She is concentrating on policy, public administration and Hispanic Communities. She holds Master degrees in Hispanic Studies and Public Administration from Auburn University and a Bachelors degree in Marketing from Stephen F. Austin State University. Melissa is a Presidential appointee of the Selective Service System as a local Board Member in the state of Texas.
She has a true passion for helping others and volunteers her time to numerous political clubs, non-profit organizations, and is an advocate for the inclusion and integration of Hispanics in political and public sector arenas. She is a mentor for Hispano youths and enjoys educating them about the importance of being politically active, history and their need to understand their civic duties as American citizens.
“There are many children in this country with great potential but lack guidance to help make their dreams a reality. We need to broaden their horizons, listen to their creative thoughts and ideas; and at the same time instill self confidence and the need for personal empowerment. Every child should be taught the value of an honest day’s work, personal responsibility, a strong character, self-discipline, patriotism, and the importance of an education”
Jorge Hurtado, Community Liason
Jorge Hurtado currently serves as a community liaison for Gingrich Communications, where he oversees social media initiatives in support of The Americano.com, a bilingual site launched in September 2009 to offer balanced news and viewpoints to the U.S. Hispanic population.
He has worked in sales and market research for Amerifoods, Grupo FADESA, and was operations assistant for Avecan in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Jorge holds a degree in International Business from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, and has studied advanced marketing at the Tec of Monterrey and Michigan State University.
He serves on the Advisory Board of EyeCatcher Digital, a global digital strategy and marketing firm with offices in New York, Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Singapore and Buenos Aires.
Jaclyn Levi, Communications Intern
Jaclyn Levi is currently a communications intern for Gingrich Communications. She is a senior at the University of Miami, in Coral Gables, Florida.
With a double major in Visual Journalism and International Studies, Jaclyn is interested in the ever expanding industry of multimedia and specifically how it relates to politics and human rights.
Jaclyn has previously interned at The United Way of Miami-Dade and has contributed graphic design work to various publications at The University of Miami.