Pilar Sanchez Accepts the 2009 Chair’s Award

“Each year the outgoing chair has the honor of selecting the person that has made outstanding and significant contributions, and allow me to emphasize contributions, plural, to our Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.” stated Robert Franco, 2008 Chair. “It is with great honor that I present the 2008 Chair’s award to my friend and colleague Pilar Sanchez.”

Pilar Sanchez, Recipient of the Chair’s Award stated, “I’m excited and tremendously honored that the chamber is recognizing my efforts and the Technology Institute for everything we accomplished this past year.”

Three years ago, Pilar became the Chair of the Hispanic Technology Institute of Austin, (HTIA). As Chair, Pilar launched,  HTIA’s business support center with a grant funded by AT&T.  At the time, the business support center was housed within the chamber offices. With Pilar’s leadership and guidance, the business support center has grown into the Emerging Enterprises Business Development Resource Center, a full service incubator facility located at 1144 East Airport Boulevard.

In partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Austin, and the Hispanic Chamber, the new business incubation center now provides state of the art business technology classes and assists entrepreneurs with resources to start or expand their business. Pilar has played a significant role in the advancement of HTIA and the grand opening of Emerging Enterprises Business Development Resource Center.  Through her hard work and focused approach, Pilar epitomizes the Chamber’s mission, to increase our members’ wealth.