2010 Celebrando Austin Award Winners
By Nayeli Gallegos, Economic Development
Congratulations to our 2010 Celebrando Austin award winners! The GAHCC recognizes your hard work and commitment to the greater Austin community and the Chamber.
Paul Saldaña, Businessman of the Year
Paul Saldaña has spent nearly twenty years involved in local public policy issues. For 10 years, he worked with Gus Garcia during his tenure as a City Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem. In 2003, Mr. Saldaña, along with two partners, created Adelante Solutions Inc. to provide public affairs representation tailored to the culture and values of the growing Hispanic/Latino community in central Texas. In 2006, he purchased 100% ownership of Adelante Solutions Inc. [Learn more]
Adriana Rodriguez, Businesswoman of the Year
Adriana Rodriguez holds a bachelors degree in Early Childhood Development and a Masters degree in Child Development. Ms. Rodriguez is truly a GAHCC success story, in 2007 she graduated from HTIA’s Small Business Incubator Program and opened her first school, Jardín de Niños Interlingua. In 2009 she opened a second location in north Austin with capacity for 120 students. Jardín de Niños Interlingua has now 200 children enrolled in both schools. [Learn more]
MWM DesignGroup, Small Business of the Year
Founded in 1980, MWM DesignGroup is an interdisciplinary design firm providing integrated, client-focused services through professional teams specializing in civil engineering, surveying, architecture, landscape architecture and governmental relations/permitting. MWM’s principals and employees are personally involved in giving back to the community through outreach programs, professional societies, chambers of commerce, political activities, school involvement, foundations, religious institutions and charities. [Learn more]
Wells Fargo, Corporation of the Year
Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $1.2 trillion in assets that provide banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance through more than 10,000 stores, 12,000 ATMs and the internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America and internationally. In Texas, Wells Fargo has approximately 13,000 team members and more than 500 retail banking stores. In 2001, Wells Fargo was the first bank to begin accepting the matricula consular from the Mexican Consulate office. [Learn more]
City of Austin Small & Minority Business Resources, Government Partner of the Year
The City of Austin’s Small & Minority Business Resources (SMBR) is a department created to assist small, minority and women owned business enterprises who wish to do business with the City as Minority Owned Business Enterprise (MBE)/Women Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE).
As a member of the GAHCC Certification/Procurement committee, SMBR provides valuable information to GAHCC members and collaborates with the chamber and its partners for the coordination of certification events for its members. [Learn more]
Gilbert Martinez, Lifetime Achievement Award
Gilbert M. Martinez has spent much of the last 45 years in service to his community. As committed civic servant, he has improved the lives of many citizens throughout the state. Mr. Martinez’s closest friends and family will tell you that the proudest accomplishment in his life is his continuous service to his community.
Mr. Martinez began his community involvement by serving on the City of Austin Board of the Office of Economic Opportunity from 1965-1968. He served on the Austin Alcoholic Council and worked fervently with Father Richard McCabe to open a detoxification center in Austin. Mr. Martinez was a founding member of the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 1973 and served as its second Chair of the Board of Directors. He continues to contribute to the Chamber as a member of Los Tejanos, the former GAHCC Chairs. [Learn more]
Stefan Molina, Volunteer of the Year
Stefan Molina is a Project Manager at CasaBella Architects. He grew up in Odessa, Texas and graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1998 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture. Mr. Molina is an Ambassador for the GAHCC and regularly attends our monthly events.
He is a graduate of Hispanic Austin Leadership and a member of the Hispanic Austin Leadership Association. Mr. Molina is a mentor at Eastside Memorial High School with the GAHCC Mentorship Program. He is also a member of the Hispanic Futures Conference planning committee and one of the founders of the Hispanic Futures Conference Advisory Council. Mr. Molina is currently attending the Leadership Academy for Public Service, sponsored by AARO and Leadership Emerge and was nominated for two Community Action Network Butler Awards: Community Leader and Bridge Builder. [Learn more]
Click here to see our 2009 Ambassadors of the Year!
About Celebrando Austin
Celebrando Austin is the new tagline for our Annual Awards and Installation Banquet, the GAHCC’s signature event of 37 years. The banquet will still consist of distinguished awards, the installation of the new Board of Directors, and officers as well as live music. Celebrando Austin will celebrate the beauty and prosperity of the city in which we live!
This will be the event of the year that you don’t want to miss! Early registration rates are valid until January 21, 2010. For event details, please contact Mercedes Feris at (512) 462-4318 or mferis(at)gahcc.org. Sponsorship opportunities are available, please contact Margaret Smith at (512) 462-4317 or email msmith(at)gahcc.org.
