CONEJO, Carlos A. 1956-

PERSONAL: Born April 15, 1956, in San José, Costa Rica; son of Carlos E., Sr. (an entrepreneur) and Gloria E. Conejo; married March 30, 1985; wife's name Diane M.; children: two. Ethnicity: "Hispanic." Education: Pepperdine University, B.S., 1979. Politics: Republican. Religion: Christian. Hobbies and other interests: Snow skiing, bicycling, gardening.

ADDRESSES: Home and offıce—1560 Fremont Dr., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362-1832. E-mail—carlos@ mculture.net.

CAREER: Conejo Tours, Sherman Oaks, CA, founder and tour operator, 1981-85; Pleasant Hawaiian Holidays, Westlake Village, CA, national group sales manager, 1985-87; Prudential Insurance Company of America, Woodland Hills, CA, special agent and registered representative, 1987-91; Blue Cross of California, Westlake Village, manager of senior markets, 1991-95; Secure Horizons—PacifiCare, Cypress, CA, manager of retiree products, 1995-96; Prudential HealthCare SeniorCare, Woodland Hills, sales manager, 1996-97; Multicultural Associates, Thousand Oaks, CA, president, 1997—.

MEMBER: International Federation of Professional Speakers, Meeting Professionals International, National Speakers Association, American Society for Training and Development, Latin Business Association (San Fernando Valley chapter), League of United Latin-American Citizens.

WRITINGS:

Motivating Hispanic Employees: A Practical Guide toUnderstanding and Managing Hispanic Employees, Multicultural Press, 2001.

WORK IN PROGRESS: Empowerment Strategies: Managing and Developing a Diverse Work Force or Diversity Strategies; research on women managers.

SIDELIGHTS: Carlos A. Conejo told CA: "My primary motivation for writing is to make a difference in the lives of all Americans regarding cross-cultural communications. Additionally, I feel that America's corporations and manufacturers are vastly under-utilizing America's intellectual capital.

"My writing process consists of expanding on a hunch or idea that I observe is missing in the 'puzzle of life,' then I outline it. I research it and talk with my mastermind group of eleven other professional individuals to 'synergize' it, or flesh it out. I research competing or existing similar books. Then I go for it.

"What inspired me to write about this genre is that I feel a mission to do so. I feel like there's something bigger than me driving me to put these words in print or into the spoken word. I get frustrated sometimes that my sphere of influence is not bigger than it is. One day it will be, and that will make a difference in the world!"