SALT LAKE CITY — A nonprofit organization that promotes entrepreneurship among Latinos and others in Utah is getting six new board members as it fine-tunes its efforts to help bolster the business acumen of those in underserved communities.

"I think what's important for us is, are we continuing to meet the needs of the community?" said Silvia Castro, president and CEO of the Salt Lake City-based Suazo Business Center. "Maybe what worked five years ago doesn't work today."

Typically, the organization, which also has an office in Ogden, doesn't appoint so many new board members at once. However, a combination of resignations, term expirations and the creation of two new board posts led to the six new postings. The six additions to the 17-member board come from different parts of the state and have a range of backgrounds meant to augment the expertise offered by Suazo.

The organization recently boosted the maximum amount it will loan to entrepreneurs to $50,000 — up from $10,000 — and two of the new board members, Marlon Morales and Leo Gutierrez, have backgrounds in lending, Castro said.

The new members also broaden the geographic representation of the board, with two members from Weber County — Marcia White and Eli Madrigal — and one from Utah County, Morales. Castro also cited the entrepreneurial experience of Reyes Florez, with extensive accounting experience, and Madrigal, owner of Rancho Markets.

"Eli (Madrigal) was a product of our organization. She was a client of ours," Castro said.

Suazo, founded in 2002, is tasked with helping entrepreneurs and would-be entrepreneurs get the know-how to launch and build their own businesses. It's geared to "underserved communities" and has predominantly aided Latinos, as they account for the largest share of racial or ethnic minorities in Utah. Castro estimates the organization has helped more than 10,000 businesses over the years.

While broadening the range of expertise at the disposal of Suazo, the new board members will assist in crafting a new strategic plan outlining Suazo's overarching goals going forward.

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Beyond just helping individual clients, Castro said Suazo aims to help their families, thus having a multigenerational impact. Suazo aims to contribute not only to its clients' success "but their kids' success and their grandkids' success."

Morales is a small business lender with U.S. Bank, and Gutierrez is Utah market executive for JP Morgan Chase. White, a member of the Ogden City Council, works for the Wasatch Front Regional Council. Florez is founder and chief executive officer of Platform Accounting Group. Juanita Damon, also a new board member, is a strategy and process improvement expert with American Express.

"These new board members bring a wealth of experience and passion, strengthening Suazo's mission to empower minority entrepreneurs and foster economic growth across Utah," Suazo said in a statement Wednesday in announcing the six new board members.

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