Contact: Dave Erdman, Public Relations Chair, 949-4592, ext. 833

Or SMEI, Honolulu, 942-7000

SALES AND MARKETING EXECUTIVES NAMES

EDDIE FLORES, JR. 2006 SALESPERSON OF THE YEAR

Honolulu— SMEI (Sales and Marketing Executives International), Honolulu Chapter, has named Eddie Flores Jr., CEO of L & L Drive-Inn and L & L Hawaiian Barbeque restaurant chain, as Sales Person of the Year and will honor him at SMEI's signature event on March 8, at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, Tapa Ballroom. Cocktails and registration begin at 11a.m; luncheon starts at 11:45 a.m. The cost is $600 for a table of ten and $65 for individual seats; select tables with advertising packages are available. For further information and/or registration, go to www.smehonolulu.com or call

942-7000.

Each year, SMEI, Honolulu Chapter, selects a sales and marketing executive who enhances the image of Hawaii and the quality of life in our community. During the selection process, the awards committee praised Flores for his entrepreneurial spirit and generosity to the community.

"Since arriving in Hawaii as an immigrant at the age of 16, Flores has distinguished himself as a successful entrepreneur and community leader," said Richard Emery, President, SMEI, Honolulu Chapter. After earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of Hawaii in 1970, he formed his own real estate company. He purchased his first L & L as a gift to his mother in 1976 and expanded L & L from a single store into 160 restaurants (now located in Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, New York, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and California).

"Eddie's generosity cannot be overlooked," said Emery. "Concerned about the success of his own employees, Eddie has provided them with loans, credit, and lease guaranties." His community work includes public speaking, teaching, and authoring publications, including the books, "Listing & Selling Business Opportunities" and "How to List & Sell Business Opportunities." He has taught real estate, investment, management, travel, and business appraisal courses throughout the state. The Hawaii Association of Realtors honored him as the Highest Rated Instructor and Educator of the Year. (Flores was the first Asian American to receive the designation of Certified Business Intermediary and Designated Real Estate Instructor.)

Flores is also credited with establishing the Filipino Fiesta and Parade in 1993, for which he served as chairman for ten years, raising funds for the festivities annually. Flores was the prime mover in building and raising 14.2 million dollars for the Filipino Community Center, which opened in 2002.

In business, the State of Hawaii Small Business Administration named Flores Small Businessperson of the Year (1998) and The Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii awarded him the Entrepreneur of the Year. He has more than 20 awards for his professional and volunteer work, including: University of Hawaii Distinguished Alumni Award, Philippines' Presidential Citation for Filipino Individuals & Organizations Overseas, Junior Achievement Hall of Fame, Best in Business: Business Leadership Hawaii and Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Food and Beverage.

In addition to holding a degree from the University of Hawaii, Flores received a Master of Liberal Studies degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1987. He serves on various boards and commissions, including those for the East-West Center, Chaminade University, and Goodwill Industries of Hawaii.

Past SMEI, Honolulu, Salespersons of the Year have included: Neil S. Blaisdell, Jack Lord, Senator Daniel K. Inouye, Walter A. Dods, Richard R. Kelly, Chatt G. Wright, Don Ho, Perry & Price, Keith Vieira, Anthony R. Guerrero, Jr., and last year's recipient, Rex Johnson.

SMEI was founded in New York City in 1935 by IBM founder Thomas Watson and others to create a network of sales and marketing executives to promote professionalism of the industry. The organization has grown to include members in over 40 countries. In Honolulu the organization includes over 125 members representing companies in advertising, finance, health care, manufacturing, travel, media and real estate.