FRANK J. QUEVEDO, Chairman, Orange County Chamber of Commerce

The O.C. Chamber of Commerce will play a key role in shaping the direction of the local business community in the 21st Century. So says Frank Quevedo, who hopes to spearhead growth by pushing pro-business law, international trade and minority business as components for economic success. Quevedo, Hunt-Wesson’s director of corporate relations and chairman of the Mexican-American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF), spoke recently with James M. Gomez, Times staff writer.

As head of the Chamber of Commerce, your goal is to promote business locally. What steps have you taken so far toward that goal and what are your future plans?

First, we’ve asked elected officials to focus on economic growth issues. Second, we’ve involved the chamber in all the public (economic growth) initiatives that exist in the county. Third, there are private-sector initiatives, which are looking primarily at air quality and transportation issues, and we are active in that.

We are actively involved with any initiative in the county by public or private interests that addresses the issue of the expansion of opportunities and attracting of business. Our primary interest is to market the county, to convince people that this is a great place to do business.

Some of the most successful local business enterprises have been in high-technology and real estate. What other kinds of business enterprises should be encouraged to relocate here?

We want any business that has an export or import component. Europe and Canada, the Far East, Mexico are an important element for businesses that are here. So I would encourage people interested in foreign trade to come to the county. There are people with expertise across the board. We have very specific talents who can be helpful in that subject.

As the U.S. and Mexico move closer to a free-trade agreement, some wonder about its effect on the local economy. What will be the positive effects and what are the negative effects?

The positive impact will be that this is a natural (benefit) area, not just (because of) its Latino population, but (because of) its emphasis on foreign trade. It will have a positive impact on providing expanded opportunities for those companies that can provide goods and services to Mexico. That’s the upside.

The negatives are in terms of any urban area. (The county) stands to lose some industries, light industries, that may move to Mexico. (But) they may be businesses that might leave anyway. Many are already high-tailing it out of here.

What are some unresolved issues that still need to be addressed in the proposed free-trade agreement with Mexico?

I know lots of people are talking about how much they know about it, but the reality is that very few people really have a complete picture of the discussion. I think they have just now included Canada in the discussion. So there needs to be some issues ironed out there. It is a tough political environment. Issues such as dislocation and worker retraining need to be dealt with separately. But they (the issues) should not hold the free-trade agreement hostage while they are being resolved by the (Bush) Administration and by Congress. That’s going to be a tough order, given the fact that there is an election coming up. There are some people who think that the agreement, assuming it’s hammered in the next two or three months, may not in fact come to Congress until after the election.

You are the first Latino to head the Orange County Chamber of Commerce. How did you first become involved with the chamber and do you consider yourself a role model for Latinos?

I first began to participate in the chamber four or five years ago. One of the first things I did was get involved with their political-action committee. And then I chaired the governmental issues council. In addition, I got active in a number of initiatives, projects and activities, which resulted in my election this past year.

Do I consider myself personally a role model? I think anyone in the business and professional area is a role model, and in different ways. For those who look at me and say, “I, too, can aspire to this,” I say that’s terrific. But I guess I don’t walk around thinking of myself specifically as a role model. (County Supervisor) Gaddi H. Vasquez and (Santa Ana School) Rudy M. Castruita will respond the same way: that they don’t set themselves up as role models, but they feel they do have a responsibility to take the high road and to strive for excellence.

Are there any specific challenges that Latino business people face in the local business community? If so, what advice can you give to them to become more successful?

Any issue that a non-minority small business faces, a Latino small business faces. The challenge I think that Latino businesses have, I really see it as an opportunity. The other day, I heard a quote that I thought was so appropriate: Problems are opportunities with overalls. I think that is so appropriate in terms of small business. They can’t be afraid to dress in overalls and do the tough work that will allow them to expand and become credible business partners.

Do you have any thoughts about what the federal government should do to speed economic recovery? Is there a function in that regard for state and local governments?

There certainly is a responsibility that local business and professional associations have to make certain that local government and regional government understand the sense of urgency that exists today about expanding the economy and providing increased opportunities for folks in the private sector.

The chamber has a responsibility to make certain that Orange County legislators, as well as those from surrounding areas, understand the importance of addressing (economic) issues.

The folks here in the county can’t afford to wait for Washington to catch up in terms of what needs to be done locally. There’s a responsibility inherent to us here that we have to pursue (economic growth) without regard to what they do in Washington.

On promoting OC business. . . .

“We want people to come, not just to visit Disneyland but to bring business here, create jobs and expand the economy.”

On privatization. . . .

“The (Orange County Board of) Supervisors has pushed privatization. Although there’s some debate about the merits of that, it can only help Latino business.”

On the chamber’s mission. . . .

“The chamber works well enhancing the pro-economic growth environment and providing networking.”

On recruiting business. . . .

“We’ve had an attitude that business will come naturally. That used to be true. Not any more. We have to do more to tell our story around the country.”

On MALDEF. . . .

“MALDEF is about access to the political process, higher education, business opportunities and employment.”