(Alexandria, Va. – July 22, 2009) — Luann Alemao, president, Luann Alemao and Associates, LLC, of Cedar Falls was named National Business Entrepreneur of the Year for the American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS) at the recent AAFCS 100th Annual Conference and Expo in Knoxville, Tennessee. Alemao was chosen because of her passion and commitment to families and the enrichment of life skills that she offers in the business and educational arena.
“A day does not go by that I don’t use my family and consumer sciences skills. What I didn’t realize is I would utilize my skills as an educator and now a business entrepreneur to create a thriving business. I was able to continue caring for my family in spite of severe illness and disablement, depression, and childbirth, and I kept my sanity, most of the time,” said Alemao. “I am so grateful to receive this award. I have put in a lot of effort into my business to help others learn about family and consumer sciences and support my family.”
Alemao graduated from Fresno State with a degree in family and consumer science education and post graduate work from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. She taught FCS for six years at the junior high and high school levels.
Following severe family adversity, the birth of their first child, and a move to Cedar Falls, Alemao’s husband Joe was diagnosed and suffered permanent disablement due to a brain tumor, and was unable to work. In the quest to find income for her family, Alemao founded her own company, Luann Alemao and Associates, LLC, in 1990. Her range of experience and expertise allows her to provide services through various formats, including her radio program “Insightful Living” for simple and intelligent living and “Get Fit” TV for cable access. Alemao reaches out to the youth by coordinating camps to teach children nutrition, culinary techniques, and basic etiquette. Children who attend the Culinary Kids Camp gain experiences through field trips, special guests, and cooking right along side of Alemao.
As a national speaker, Alemao strives to educate business employees, students, and the general public on the importance of table graces, etiquette, and healthy lifestyles. She provides seminars in order to spread her message, and improve the community and the nation. Alemao not only teaches others about these topics, but she exemplifies them in her own life. She is the author of two books: Grip, Grin and Greet, 1st and 2nd editions.
About AAFCS
Founded in 1909 by Ellen Swallow Richards, the first woman graduate and professor of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), AAFCS is the only national not-for-profit organization that provides leadership and support to FCS students and professionals across multiple practice settings. FCS professionals help individuals, families, and communities make informed decisions about their well-being, relationships, and resources to achieve optimal quality of life. AAFCS’ 6,000 members are elementary, secondary, and post-secondary educators, researchers, and administrators; Cooperative Extension educators; and other professionals in business and industry, not-for-profit organizations, and government. These professionals provide research and applied knowledge in the areas of personal finance, child development and parenting, consumer education, housing and environment, apparel and textiles, and health and nutrition. With national headquarters based in Alexandria, Va., AAFCS has 52 affiliates located across the United States and Puerto Rico.
For more information, contact Gwynn Mason at 703-706-4600, ext. 4621, 703-859-8235, or gmason@aafcs.org.
# # #