User talk:Eliomontenegro

Early Life and Education
Montenegro was born in Matanzas, Cuba. He came to the United States in 1967 after living in Spain with his parents and brother. He attended Weber High School and graduated from the University of Illinois in Chicago.

Professional Career
Montenegro put himself through college working part-time at WEDC-AM radio in Chicago. He and his father, a long time radio host in Cuba and Chicago, produced and directed a 1 hour Spanish-language radio program. As a freelance reporter, Montenegro filed several stories for international news organization including the Voice of America. In later years, his brother and mother joined them in radio ultimately producing a popular overnight program of news and commentary.

After graduating from the University of Illinois at Chicago, Montenegro went on to work at several advertising and public relations firms. From there he went on to work at the Illinois Department of Transportation and one day on fluke, flew from Springfield to Chicago on the Governor's plane. Governor Jim Thompson then recruited him to be his Special Assistant for Hispanic Affairs.

In 1991, Montenegro made the move to television starting as a reporter for Channel 44 Telemundo in Chicago. He covered general interest stories but focused on politics in the Hispanic community. When the Tribune Company created CLTV News, he was hired as a general assignment reporter, the only one from the Chicago market. Montenegro did the first live shot from Chicago City Hall for CLTV.

In 1995, he joined Univision as the lead 5 PM anchor and general assignment reporter. His reporting focused on politics and he filed several stories for the network.

Montengro said goodbye to television to pursue a career in media relations. In that capacity, he worked for Allstate Insurance, the Transportation Security Administration, and later as a media relations consultant. Among his clients, the Town of Cicero Illinois.

In 2001, he was recruited as Vice President of Marketing at Norwegian American Hospital. Shortly afterwards he assumed responsibility for hospital non-clinical operations. He continued his community activities and service working at United Way of Metropolitan Chicago and Advocate Health Care.

Montenegro currently owns and operates Genesis Home Healthcare, a home services agency with offices in Dixon, Rockford, and Elk Grove Village. The agency provides skilled and non-skilled services to adults wishing to fulfill their dream of living at home in the golden years. With over 80 employees, Genesis provides services in a wide span in Northwestern Illinois.

Community Services
Throughout his life, Montenegro has found ways to serve the community where he grew up. In the late 80's he joined the Board of Directors' of John G. Symon YMCA, the same "Y" where he learned to swim and where he took Judo classes as a teenager. Later he served as President of the Chicago Association of Hispanic Journalists, Board member of the Norwegian American Hospital Foundation, Board Member of Arden Shore Children and Family Services,

He is currently on the Governing Council of the Illinois Association of Senior Centers in Springfield and a Board Member of Youth Service Project in Chicago.

Personal Life
Montenegro is married to Gail Montenegro and together they have three children, two in college and one going into High School. As a family they have traveled all over north, central, and south America. The family has traveled to Cuba to visit family. The family lives in Wilmette, IL.