ANNUAL HOLIDAY GALA & BUSINESS AWARDS BANQUET

The Del Rio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce held their Annual Holiday Gala and Business Awards Banquet on Friday December 5th.   Over 200 guests  and various dignitaries attended the so-called Grand Mixer of the Year!  The Magical Holiday theme by Happy Balloons created a beautiful atmosphere for recognizing business member achievements, for their contributions in expanding, being innovative, growing  or investing  in their businesses to create jobs, and active support and participation in the community, and the Hispanic Chamber.  TAMACC Executive Director Pauline Anton from Austin Texas assisted with the Business Awards presentation Business Awards were presented as follows:

2014 Businesswoman of the Year:   Maria C .” Connie”  Mendoza   Area Sales Manager for West Central Net.   Despite providing exceptional customer service for an increase base of customers that also includes Eagle Pass, Tx, Ms. Mendoza finds time to actively participate as a Director of DRHCC and other community events.  

2014 Businessman of the Year   Miguel Angel Gutierrez     The Latino Coalition  (established the Gutierrez Scholarship Fund at DRHCC in memory of beloved deceased family members; former Mayor Dr. Alfredo Gutierrez Jr., aunt Ida Gladys Gutierrez, and grandfather and well-known educator Antonio E. Gutierrez.  Although Mr. Gutierrez resides in San Antonio, he remains very active in local events.

2014 Entrepreneur of the Year: Polo Del Rio. Entrepreneurs capitalize on business opportunities to grow their business.  Polo Del Rio continues to invest capital, taking on financial risk in business growth.  Congratulations Polo Del Rio and family on restoring Cripple Creek Steakhouse to the grandeur of days past.

2014 Small Business of the Year: KWMC. Accepting the award was Javier Martinez. KWMC is a Charter member of DRHCC and actively supports and promotes community events that help improve health and wellness, increase cultural preservation and awareness, and stimulate business. 

2014 Large Business of the Year:   The City of Del Rio. Accepting the award was Interim City Manager Henry A. Arredondo.  In the past year, the City has aggressively pursued avenues to stimulate business by revamping the entire permit application process and by establishing a Round Table of business community members. In addition, the City actively promotes and sponsors  various community events to stimulate business and tourism.  

A special business award recognition was presented to Border Federal Credit Union CEO Maria J. Martinez on BFCU’s 60th Business Anniversary.  BFCU has four locations in Del Rio and expanded services to Eagle Pass and Carrizo Springs, Texas.

The guest speaker Dr. Bambi Cardenas Flores related the history of the Camara de Comercio Mexicana as she knew it with board members such as the Col. Alfredo Villegas and how closely the Camara worked with the Mexican Consulate.  She also spoke about women “heroines” who were entrepreneurs in making and selling from their homes, to educate their children through local private schools and college.   She spoke on the challenges that the business community faces in keeping us with change.  She encouraged the business community to pursue educational levels to stay competitive.
Leslie Lugo and Band from Houston Texas performed an outstanding repertoire of melodies that kept everyone dancing and her phenomenal voice was very impressive.

Ariana Rodriguez sang beautiful Christmas Carols during the catered dinner.

Even Santa stopped by to visit and check his list to see who has been naughty or nice.  Pictured with Dr. Bambi Cardenas-Flores are Ruben and Carmen Gutierrez.

DRHCC thanks everyone who attended and wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year!

Click to enlarge photos