Every year, the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce recognizesthe accomplishments of a handful of our City’s greatestbusiness men and women. These local business people have playedmajor roles in San Antonio business in the last few years. The covetedawards are selected through a careful process, overseen by a selectioncommittee comprised of representatives from the HispanicChamber’s corporate partners, community advocates, staff, and theprevious year’s winners. Nominations are accepted from amongstthe membership for the awards, and are then reviewed and voted onby the selection committee. "The Hispanic Chamber’s membershiprecognizes these local business heroes in celebration of their accomplishments,to inspire others in ourcommunity, especially our youth, toreach their goals in business and inlife," said A.J. Rodriguez, President &CEO of the Hispanic Chamber.
The Business Owner of the YearAward goes to a business person whohas demonstrated employee growth& development; successful effectivenessof their company’s business management; advancements andinvestments for the growth of their business, and a strong overallbusiness performance (including revenue, growth, productivity &net worth).
The Corporate Executive of the Year is presented to an individualwho has demonstrated successful leadership qualities, engineeredcreative ideas and solutions, displayed consistent success inachieving their personal and professional goals, has contributed tothe overall growth of San Antonio’s economic development, and isan active participant in the community.
The Rising Star of the Year is awarded to a person who has enhancedperformance and industry recognition for their professionalexcellence, is an active member of the community, and has displayedoriginality in entrepreneurship.
The Community Service Award is presented to an individualwho has made an impact serving the Hispanic community. A specificcontribution of time and/or service to the betterment of theHispanic community and a contribution to the enhancement of anon–profit organization, school, neighborhood, or community arelarge factors in who receives this award. Additionally, the developmentand implementation of new community service efforts is consideredfor this category.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is an honor that the HispanicChamber bestows on someone who has made significant contributionsto the Hispanic community throughout their lifetime and hasgiven an unsurpassed level of community service to San Antonio.This individual must have successfully worked many years towardsthe promotion, growth and/or economic development of Hispanicbusiness in San Antonio and committed to at least 20+ years towardsthe economic growth of the Hispanic community.
This year, an additional award was created to honor the memoryof one of San Antonio’s most beloved business women, Viola Barrios,who was robbed of her life in March2008. Barrios dedicated her life to helpingmen, women and children who neededher most, including her employees.Barrios never forgot her roots though,and religiously helped her hometown inMexico in securing items that they neededfor everyday living.
The winners are presented withtheir awards at the Hispanic Chamber’sannual Business Awards Banquet, which will take place at 6 p.m. onTuesday, July 8 at the University of the Incarnate Word’s RosenburgSkyRoom. This year’s honorees include the following individuals(pictured above from left to right):
- Business Owners of the Year: Al Aguilar & Gisela Girard, Creative Civilization
- Corporate Executive of the Year: Josue Robles, USAA
- Rising Star: Eliot Garza, NSIDE Publications
- Community Service Award: Dr. Julian Treviño
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Vikki Carr
- Special Award (posthumous): Viola Barrios
A highlight of the awards ceremony is the theme for each year’sawards Banquet. This year, the Hispanic Chamber has created atheme based on its Aztec roots, calling the evening: Noche Azteca:Orden del Ãguila. The Aztec empire that once flourished in Mexicoboasted of teaching their young the duties of citizenship, history,traditions of their people, and the arts and crafts, so the HispanicChamber found it fitting to name their event honoring those whoare and who will become the future mentors for our youth.
