Almost half the U.S. population growth last year was comprised of Latinos, according to recent U.S. Census Bureau data. So it's more urgent than ever that companies reach this burgeoning market. How better to do that than to get the ideas and community inroads offered by Latino employees?

So what makes a top company for Latinos? CEO commitment is critical, as well as a commitment to hire, retain and promote top Latino talent. Consider these statistics about the Top 10 Companies for Latinos:

· The boards of directors at the Top 10 for Latinos are on average 6.9 percent Latino, compared with 5 percent for the Top 50 and less than 2 percent nationally (Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility).

· The Top 10 Companies for Latinos report 12.5 percent of managers receiving promotions were Latino, compared with 10 percent for the Top 50.

· Seventy percent of the Top 10 Companies for Latinos have multicultural-marketing departments, compared with 65 percent of the Top 50 and just 38.5 percent of companies ranked in the bottom quarter of Top 50 survey respondents. There were 256 companies participating in this year's ranking.

· All the Top 10 for Latinos say the head of diversity reports to the CEO or is one direct report away, compared with 92 percent of the Top 50 and 80 percent of bottom-quarter respondents.

· The CEO personally chairs the diversity council at 60 percent of the Top 10 for Latinos, compared with 44 percent of the Top 50 and 30.6 percent of bottom-quarter respondents.

 

 

Here are the Top 10 for Latinos:

 

No. 1: Cingular Wireless

 

Also No. 15 on The DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list, No. 2 on the Top 10 Companies for People With Disabilities, No. 9 on the Top 10 Companies for Executive Women and No. 9 on the Top 10 Companies for GLBT Employees.

 

Thirty percent of direct reports to the CEO are Latino, compared with a Top 50 average of 3.8 percent. And 8 percent of all managers are Latino, compared with 6.4 percent for the Top 50 average. The company also makes regular philanthropic contributions to Latino organizations, including the National Council of La Raza and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund.

 

No. 2: Citigroup

 

Also No. 27 on The DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list, No. 7 on the Top Companies for People With Disabilities and No. 9 on the Top Companies for Recruitment & Retention.

 

The global banking giant reports Latinos are 14.75 percent of new hires in the United States and 11.75 percent of its board of directors.

 

No. 3: Consolidated Edison Co. of New York

 

Also No. 2 on The DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list, No. 5 on the Top 10 Companies for Recruitment & Retention, No. 5 on the Top 10 Companies for African Americans.

 

The utility reports 18 percent of new hires are Latino, compared with 12.3 percent average for the Top 50, and 11.5 percent of management promotions go to Latinos, compared with 7.3 percent of the Top 50. Also, the board of directors is 9 percent Latino.

 

No. 4: AT&T

 

Also one of the 25 Noteworthy Companies, No. 2 on the Top 10 for African Americans, No. 3 on the Top 10 for GLBT Employees, No. 4 on the Top 10 for Recruitment & Retention, No. 4 on the Top 10 for Executive Women, No. 5 on the Top 10 for Supplier Diversity.

 

With 12 percent of its work force Latino, the company, formed by the merger of SBC Communications and AT&T, reports 8.25 percent of its Tier I suppliers are businesses owned by people of color.

 

No. 5: Wells Fargo

 

Also No. 17 on The DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list, No. 5 on the Top 10 Companies for Executive Women.

 

The bank's work force is 13.25 percent Latino but new hires are 17 percent Latino, demonstrating an increased recruitment effort. Of managers receiving promotions, 8.75 percent are Latino. Of female managers receiving promotions, 9.75 percent are Latina.

 

No. 6: JP Morgan Chase

 

Also No. 11 on The DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list, No. 2 on the Top 10 for GLBT Employees, No. 3 on the Top 10 for Supplier Diversity, No. 3 on the Top 10 for Executive Women.

 

The work force is 11 percent Latino but new hires are 14 percent Latino. For women, the work force also is 11 percent Latina but new hires are 15 percent Latina...

 

No. 7: Tribune Co.

 

Latinos are 7.5 percent of all managers at the media company but receive 13.25 percent of all management promotions. The board of directors is 17 percent Latino.

 

No. 8: Starbucks Coffee Company

 

Also No. 45 on The DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list.

 

Eight percent of direct reports to the CEO are Latino as well as 8.25 percent of the board of directors.

 

No: 9: Verizon Communications/Wireless

 

Also No. 1 on The DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list, No. 1 on the Top 10 Companies for Recruitment & Retention, No. 8 on the Top 10 Companies for African Americans.

 

Philanthropic relationships include the National Society of Hispanic MBAs, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and the National Council of La Raza. Seven percent of managers are Latino at the telecom, but 10 percent of managers receiving promotions are Latino.

 

No. 10: HSBC

 

Also No. 13 on the DiversityInc Top 50 Companies for Diversity list, No. 1 on the Top 10 for Executive Women.

 

Latinos are 7.25 percent of managers at the global bank's U.S. operations but 10.25 percent of all managers receiving promotions. Charities include the Ballet Hispanico of New York, the Chicago Latino Youth Leadership Project, and the Boys & Girls Club of El Sobrante.