he Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce’s International Business Council will discuss ways to strengthen business relationships with professionals of Puerto Rican origin at its monthly meeting July 26.

The meeting, sponsored by Olivencia & Cribben Law Office, will take place from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at The INCubator, at 100 Cherokee Blvd. International food will be provided at this free event.

Hector Olivencia, an attorney with Olivencia & Cribben Law Office, will deliver the keynote presentation. The discussion will cover the following points of interest:

?     Historical and demographic overviews of Puerto Rico

?     Puerto Rican business culture

?     Tips for developing enduring relationships with business people of Puerto Rican origin

In addition to cross-cultural business training, the meeting will also feature an introduction of the International Business Council’s newly-elected 2012-2013 Board of Directors.

“Last year, our Board of Directors did an outstanding job growing our council into one of the most successful, diverse business networks in the Chattanooga region,” said Christian Patiño, 2011-2012 president of the International Business Council. “As our new leaders partner together to build upon our first year of achievements, we look forward to supporting their efforts with the best of our collective energies and skills.”

Hector Olivencia-Maldonado is a senior partner with Olivencia & Cribben Law Office, LLC. His legal specialties include immigration litigation, corporate law, labor and employment law and technology and telecommunications law. Mr. Olivencia-Maldonado began his legal career at Quilichini Law Offices in San Juan, Puerto Rico where he later became a partner. After relocating to Chattanooga, Mr. Olivencia-Maldonado opened Olivencia & Cribben Law Office, LLC with his wife and fellow attorney, Andrea Cribben-Acosta. The local firm provides personalized legal services in Spanish and English.

Mr. Olivencia-Maldonado is a member of the American Bar Association and Labor and Employment Litigation Association. His opinions on issues of immigration law have been published in multiple print media sources, including Noticias Libres, the Spanish language newspaper of the Times Free Press. He is also a professor of Business Law at the University of Phoenix Chattanooga campus.

The International Business Council meetings, which take place the fourth Thursday of each month, are open to Chattanooga Chamber members and non-members. This event is free and open to the public. Food and drinks are provided. Advance registration is required by July 24.

For information about sponsoring a meeting of the International Business Council or to RSVP, please contact Gladys Pineda-Loher at 423 763-4345 or gpineda-loher@chattanoogachamber.com.