NLV firm ranks high in Hispanic Business 500

Tuesday, June 17, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

A North Las Vegas company has repeated as a member of the Hispanic Business 500, a listing of the top Hispanic corporations in the United States by revenues.

Vega Enterprises Inc. made the list at No. 57, slightly off last year's appearance at No. 53. A wholesale supplier to the hotel and casino industry in Southern Nevada, Vega, founded in 1958 by CEO Rafael "Ray" Vega, reported revenues of $60 million in 1996.

"I feel very fortunate that I'm one of the successes of Las Vegas," said Vega in response to being honored by Hispanic Business magazine. "With the help of the community, I was able to see the American dream come true."

Vega came to Las Vegas from Los Angeles after securing a Small Business Administration contract to operate dining halls at Nellis Air Force Base.

Over time, he was able develop contacts throughout Southern Nevada and now operates exclusively in that market from headquarters at 100 W. Carey Ave. His prime focus is providing bar supplies and food service to the resort industry.

The business has grown to provide jobs for 130 employees and Vega operates from a 120,000-square-foot facility.

Management has become a family affair with Vega's wife, Charleen serving as chief operating officer and his daughter, Kelly, as vice president of marketing. A son, Robbie, attends UNLV and works part time for the company.

Vega hinted that he hopes to retire within a few years and devote more time to community activities. He currently works with a number of organizations, including the Latin and North Las Vegas chambers of commerce.

He also serves as honorary consul general to Mexico for Nevada and is a member of the Nevada Commission on Economic Development.

The only other Nevada business making the Hispanic Business list was West Coast Contractors of Nevada Inc., Reno, a government general contracting operation under Mario Ramirez, with $19.1 million in revenues, No. 168.