Banker Selected To Fifth Term As Tournament Chairman

Dec. 1, 2008 - PRLog -- Redondo Beach, CA – Jesse Torres, President and Chief Operating Officer of Security Saving Bank (www.BankPlace.com) (Henderson, NV) was selected by the Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce (www.lajcc.org) to Chair the 2009 L.A. Watts Summer Games (www.lawsg.org) Boys and Girls Soccer Tournaments.  The 2009 Games represents Jesse’s fifth year as the soccer tournament director.

Since 1968, the Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce has hosted the Games in an effort to bring together high school youth from diverse backgrounds.  The Games were born out of the aftermath of the 1965 Watts Riots.  The L.A. Watts Summer Games is the largest tournament in the country with over 7,000 high school athletes participating in 18 sports over two weekends.

“I am very excited to take on this role for a fifth year.  I participated in this tournament as a high school soccer player.  To me it marked not only the start of the summer but also provided an opportunity to play against teams outside of our community.  Having grown up in a predominantly Hispanic community, the tournament provided me with the opportunity to interact with players of different socio-economic backgrounds,” said Mr. Torres.

"The L.A. Watts Summer Games has had a positive influence on youth for over 40 years.  I am honored to represent the Games as a former player, volunteer and Chairman," said Jesse.  “The Games taught me that sport is a great equalizer.  In sports it does not matter how much money you have.  Success comes down to commitment to the sport, commitment to training, team play and above all, respect for the opponent.  The experience reinforces practices that promote success in all areas of life.”

The LAWSG Soccer Tournament will be played over two weekends, June 13, 14, 20 and 21, 2008.  Specific sites are to be determined.  Tournament sponsorship opportunities are available.  Additional information can be obtained by contacting Jesse Torres at jstorres@ix.netcom.com.  

The mission of the L.A. Watts Summer Games is to build bridges of understanding among high school youth.  The Games strive to promote positive interaction, respect and achievement through spirited competition in athletics.

Jesse Torres is currently President and Chief Operating Officer of Security Savings Bank in Henderson, Nevada.  He is a management guru with over 15 years of banking industry experience as a regulator (Office of the Comptroller of the Currency), consultant (KPMG Peat Marwick) as well as a banker in large ($18 billion+) and small ($250 million) bank environments.  Mr. Torres specializes in Hispanic marketing and risk/regulatory management with an emphasis in "crisis" situations.  Mr. Torres’ strengths include marketing, operations, regulatory compliance, risk management, information technology and team development.  Mr. Torres is a former Chairman of the Los Angeles Junior Chairman of Commerce and LAJCC Charitable Foundation and founder of the Hermosa Beach Soccer Club as well as holder of numerous volunteer board positions.  Mr. Torres can be reached at jstorres@ix.netcom.com.

# # #

Jesse Torres is currently President and Chief Operating Officer of Security Savings Bank in Henderson, Nevada. He is a management guru with over 15 years of banking industry experience as a regulator (Office of the Comptroller of the Currency), consultant (KPMG Peat Marwick) as well as a banker in large ($18 billion+) and small ($250 million) bank environments. Mr. Torres specializes in Hispanic marketing and risk/regulatory management with an emphasis in "crisis" situations. Mr. Torres’ strengths include marketing, operations, regulatory compliance, risk management, information technology and team development. Mr. Torres is a former Chairman of the Los Angeles Junior Chairman of Commerce and LAJCC Charitable Foundation and founder of the Hermosa Beach Soccer Club as well as holder of numerous volunteer board positions. Mr. Torres can be reached at jstorres@ix.netcom.com.