OUR BOARD
Rafael Herrera
Earned his Business Administration and Marketing degree at the University of Houston.
Experience
He is a shareholder and the CEO of the Innovative Group Latin America. He was the president of the Mexican Business Council of Houston, shareholder and co-director of the Iberoamerican Group, shareholder and general director of Agroenlinea.com. He also served as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Telscape International. Herrera was the Deputy Director of the Commercial and Tourist Representative Office of the State of Tabasco in North America. He was also Deputy Director of the Commercial and Tourist Representative Office of the State of Oaxaca in North America. Additionally, he served as the Commercial Vice President of Power Design International. And he was Manager at Euromex, an Exchange Bureau in Houston (Banamex).
He was the founder and partner of the Innovative Group in Latin America with presence in twelve countries focusing on recycling waste for multinational industries. Herrera was founder and partner of the PETSTAR plant, a world leader of PET recycling, in Toluca, México. He was also a founder and partner in the first private recycling plant in Mexico for the recyclable waste collected in Torreón, Coahuila. He was also part of the implementation and execution of the service that allows to make appointments by telephone for the American Embassy in Mexico for the company Telscape International. Herrera participated in the implementation, execution and distribution of pre-paid cards for the Telefiesta program in the United States. He is also the Founder and General Director or Argoenlinea.com
Honors and Recognitions
Herrera is the founder and president of the International Council of Jóvenes Empresarios in Houston, Texas. He was elected president of the Mexican Business Council in Houston. Herrera was an elected member of the board of the YMCA Trotter Houston chapter.
Rafael Herrera
Chairman of the Board
Alejandra Bueno
Alejandra Bueno is an attorney in San Antonio, Texas, within the energy industry. Alejandra is licensed to practice law in Mexico and in the US (by the State of New York). She worked for the Texas Governor’s Office from 2007 to 2013, as Director for International Business and as the Governor’s Representative in the South Texas Region. Alejandra is Chair of the Bi-National Energy Committee at the Asociacion de Empresarios Mexicanos, member of the US-Mexico Bar Association, Academia Mexicana de Derecho Energético (Mexican Academy of Energy Law). She serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors of the San Antonio – Mexico Friendship Council, member of the Bi-National Committee of the Eagle Ford Shale Consortium and Women’s Energy Network.
Before moving to Texas in 2000, Alejandra worked in Mexico for several Federal agencies such as the Office of the President of Mexico, the National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT), and the National Council for Culture and Fine Arts (CONACULTA).
Alejandra Bueno
Patricia Stout
Patricia Pliego Stout is the founder and owner of The Alamo Travel Group, Inc. since 1990. The Alamo Travel Group was established in 1982 in San Antonio, TX. Alamo Travel Group is a national provider of Corporate, Federal, State and Leisure Travel Services. Her work providing travel services for thousands of men and women of the United States Military community has given her an intimate look at the importance of planning, logistics and budget management.
As an active community leader, Pat has lent her experience and dedication to several organizations including The Texan Power Company (co-founder), Executive Staffing (co-founder), National Association of Women Business Owners San Antonio (President), Texas Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory (State Commissioner 2004), Free Trade Alliance (board secretary) San Antonio Public Library Foundation (board member), The Society of Government Travel Professionals (board secretary), American Express Business Travel Services (advisory board member), SAMM Ministries (board member), BBV Compass Bank (advisory board member), SER Jobs for Success Workforce Development (board member), San Antonio Economic Development Foundation (executive board member), Chamber Orchestra of San Antonio (board member). Pat additionally served as Chair Elect of the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMMAC), Past President of the Asociacion de Empresarios Mexicanos AEM 2006-2008, National Treasurer 2008-2016, Charter President of the Rotary Club of San Antonio - Amigos Internacionales 2009-2010, 2016-2017 and 2018-2019, Co-Chair of the Latino Leadership Institute- 2015 class, Chair -San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce- 2014.
Patricia’s accomplishments have been featured in Forbes Magazine, American Express Open Forum Card member Profiles, San Antonio Woman Magazine – 12-2018, Latina magazine, Reader’s Digest, Hispanic Business Magazine, the Federal Reserve Bank Report 1995, Vanidades Magazine, Federal Times, Travel Weekly and Business Travel Magazine. Her company has been ranked as #2 on the Top 100 Women Owned Businesses in Texas in 2010 and 51st on the list of the top 500 Hispanic Corporations of America in 2010.
Patricia Stout
Fernando Sepúlveda
Fernando Sepúlveda is founding partner and CEO of Grupo Impulsa, a business development ecosystem composed of three organizations: Incubadora de Negocios Impulsa, Aceleradora de Negocios Impulsa, and Filantrofilia, non-profit organization focused on social enterprises.
Grupo Impulsa has started its international expansion by opening offices in San Jose, California (2011) and Lima, Peru (2011). Fernando is member of the council of the Asociación Nacional de Incubadoras de Negocios.
Prior to this, Fernando was one of the associates of McKinsey & Company Inc. (1998-2004), serving customers in North America, Latin America, and Africa. His focus was in financial and industrial services, consumer goods, and telecommunications. In 1998 he served as an advisor in both the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education in Mexico.
Fernando Sepúlveda
VP of the Board & SFO Chapter
John Williams
Co-Founder, President and CEO of Dominion Technologies, L.L.C., a Dallas-based company with offices in the United States and Mexico that commercialize innovative electric power generation and waste solutions in Mexico and Latin America.
He has 28 years as an executive and CEO, he has founded over 10 companies and held executive roles in both, the United States and Mexico. Held diverse roles in venture capital and finance, he has procured over 1.2 Billion USD in corporate finance in Mexico since 1994.
Currently, Dominion Technologies is building relationships with Pemex (Mexican National Oil and Gas Fund), and leading industrial firms in Mexico and beyond.
He holds a B.A. in Engineering from the ITESM in Monterrey, and a MBA in Finance from Stanford University in 1980.
John Williams
Jorge López
Businessman with corporate and multicultural experience for 24 + years. VITALIS ® pension expert, founding partner (current); CONSAR Member of the Surveillance Committee appointed by COPARMEX (current), INFONAVIT Member of the Investment Committee representing the Business Sector (current), AEM Mexican Entrepreneurs Association, a global advisor (current); Metlife Mexico, former Director of Sales and Metropolitan Federal Government (2013/14), Pro-Mexico Trade and Investment, Global former Head of Unit (2007/2010) & former Minister for North America residing in the United States and Canada (2010 / 2013), EO Entrepreneurs Organization (Member since 2004 President & International Board 2005), ANFORAMA ® todo para su cocina, Member of the Board (2006/08) and COMAPRTE, AC Member of the Board (2001 to date).
Board Member experience in different industries, high level management positions, always promoting teamwork & positive solutions to challenges; proven experience in tough business environments; marketing, sales, administration, finance, investment and project management.
High communication skills; former Bachelor and Diploma level professor for 4 years (ITAM and U. Contemporary), experience in media and national and international conference speaker experience, also experience in one on one meetings at the highest level in government and private sector. Named one of the 30 promises in 30 and one of the 40 promises in the 40 by the business magazine Expansion.
Analytical structure (Bachelor in Actuarial (ITAM) with Diploma in Applied Statistics for Quality Control (ITAM), Diploma in Intelligence (ITESM), currently studying the Masters program of Philosophy at the Universidad Panamericana); combined with experience in projects with quantitative and qualitative challenges in the private, social and public sector.
International business experience for more than 9 years; 2 1⁄2 globally with headquarters in Mexico City, 3 1⁄2 years based in the United States (Washington DC) and Canada (Vancouver) plus last 2 years related to the global environment in the pensions arena through MGAC (Multi Group of actuarial Consultants).
Jorge López
Jorge Eurán
Jorge Alberto Eurán Graham has an MBA from the DUXX Graduate School of Business Leadership as well as an Mass Media Communications undergraduate degree from the Monterrey Tech Institute. He is 100% bilingual (English/Spanish as native language), and ASL fluent (American Sign Language) with over 20 years of international experience in the interactive media industry, marketing and new business development.
From 1995 to 2001 he was partner and director of Dreitech, internet services and consulting firm. Afterwards he was Product Marketing Manager for Terra Networks Mexico where he had under his supervision the definition, development and profitability of Terra’s new products and content online channels. Also, the development and implementation of loyalty strategies for Terra members.
From 2003 he is the CEO and partner of Alveni, a company focused on interactive kiosks solutions. Among his clients are Atlántida Bank, The Home Depot Mexico, University of Texas in Austin, and other companies and government institutions. Under his leadership, Alveni has grown to be one of the leading kiosk specific companies in Mexico deploying projects for many different markets like human resources, retail and government service payments.
Among his main activities, he focuses on specialized consulting for the planning and deployment of self- service projects. Jorge Euran has written editorial articles for a variety of electronic and printed media like “El Norte” newspaper in Mexico and he has presented seminars and conferences for different companies and institutions regarding digital media and interactive technologies topics.
In 2010, Jorge began leading the Alveni LLC operations in US expanding their business internationally with special focus in the US, offering interactive kiosks and digital signage solutions. Under his leadership, Alveni was awarded the “Best Corporate Communications Deployment Award” in the Self Service Interactive Kiosk Category during the 2012 Industry Excellence Award ceremony by the Digital Screenmedia Association (DSA) in San Francisco, California.
In 2013, Alveni LLC created a new brand and line of products named “Believe&Train” offering medal hangers for amateur athletes. This unique idea has proven very effective and sales have increased exponentially every year.
Among his social responsibility projects, Jorge lead from 2010-2011 an initiative named “Deja tu Huella” (Leave your footprint) with the objective to provide tennis shoes to people who live in sectors and regions of very low income and indigenous groups in Mexico. More than 1,500 pairs of shoes were donated during the project.
Beginning in 2014, he is leading a new non-profit organization in Mexico named “Meta 42” (Goal 42) to promote running and healthy living among children and families in Monterrey, Mexico. More than 150 families have already joined the program.
He created, organized and promoted the Corre Latino Annual 5k race in Austin, TX to bring together the Latino community and promote an active lifestyle and latino culture.
He was Chair of Communications for AEM Austin for 2014-16, and currently serves in two boards: EXATEC Austin 2015-16 & AEM Austin 2017-2019 as President of the Austin Chapter.
Jorge Eurán
Michael C. Camuñez
Michael C. Camuñez is President and CEO of ManattJones Global Strategies LLC, which provides strategic advice and advocacy to help companies doing business in emerging economies, with a particular emphasis on Mexico. Mr. Camuñez has significant experience as a senior executive, counselor and advocate advising U.S. companies in domestic and global markets, and he possesses a unique combination of political, legal, economic and international expertise.
He served from 2010 to 2013 as one of the nation’s leading commercial diplomats as the Assistant Secretary of Commerce at the International Trade Administration, where he managed a global portfolio to help lead the U.S. government’s efforts to open new markets for U.S. goods and services. He visited more than 30 countries to advance U.S. trade and economic policy and was appointed by the President to serve on the U.S. Helsinki Commission, managing the economic dimension of U.S. engagement with the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. He is most widely recognized for playing a critical role in rebalancing U.S. economic policy toward Mexico, leading numerous trade and policy missions there and helping to update and modernize a range of initiatives to enhance cross-border trade and investment. He was the chief architect of the recently established U.S.-Mexico High Level Economic Dialogue, which he proposed, coordinated and later helped launch during President Obama’s visit to Mexico in May 2013.
Prior to assuming his role at the Department of Commerce, Mr. Camuñez served in the Obama White House for two years as Special Counsel to the President in the Office of the White House Counsel as well as Special Assistant to the President, where he helped manage the President’s appointments to the domestic cabinet. He is a former equity partner of O’Melveny & Myers LLP, where he counseled and represented companies and financial institutions in foreign international litigation and international corporate compliance, including Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and Anti-Money Laundering counseling. He previously served in the first term of the Clinton Administration where he focused on domestic policy issues and was on the team that designed and launched the AmeriCorps national service program.
Apart from his career in public service, he also has a long track record of community leadership. He has served as a member of the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission and as the governor-appointed Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of California’s public service commission, known as California Volunteers, which administers all state funding for the AmeriCorps service programs through California. He is the past president of the Board of Trustees of the Mexican American Bar Foundation, a past member of the Stanford Law School Board of Visitors, and a current director of the Pacific Council on International Policy. He is a graduate of Harvard College and Stanford Law School.
Mr. Camuñez has been widely recognized for his leadership and community service. In 2014 he received the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute's National Leadership in Public Service Award in Washington, D.C. He also received the 2014 Mexican American Bar Foundation Professional Achievement Award. He has been named by Poder Magazine as one of the "Top 75 Most Influential Hispanic Americans" in the United States and was a recipient of the 2006 "Angel Award" by California Lawyer Magazine for outstanding pro bono service in California.
Michael C. Camuñez
Glafiro Montemayor
He is the President of the Administrative Council of GEMCO, which controls a Conglomerate of Companies immersed in the areas of logistics, trade, hotels, tourism, real estate, and transportation all established in the border of the United States and Mexico.
After finishing high school at the Military School, Allen Military Academy in College Station Texas, he obtained the degree of Accountant at the ITESM, and has a Postgraduate Master in Business Administration from the University of Texas . He later served as an Administration professor at the University of Tamaulipas.
He collaborates with the Mexican government on various issues and projects related to transport and trade competitiveness; he is currently working on the development of ports and logistics platforms.
He currently serves as Founding President of the Asociación de Empresarios Mexicanos (AEM), Laredo Chapter, and serves as Chairman of the Border Affairs Committee. He is also advisor of NAFIN and is an advisor to the development and competitiveness committee, both in state government of Tamaulipas.
Glafiro Montemayor
Rosendo Villarreal
Rosendo Villarreal has a bachelor degree in Business Administration with and specialty in International Business from the University of Monterrey (UdeM), Mexico; he also earned a master’s degree (GMBA) from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Phoenix, AZ. Rosendo has over 20 years’ experience in International commerce and trade; he is a cross cultural and business oriented professional with field experience in more than 20 countries worldwide; more specifically doing business between Mexico, USA and Brazil. As Partner and VP of Sales and Marketing for Source Logistics, he is in charge for the design and management of the company’s corporate sales budget and marketing strategies. Source Logistics is an innovative company offering its customers scalable and integral logistics solutions (inventory control, warehousing, fulfillment, e-commerce management, value added services and transportation).
Rosendo Villarreal
Rubén Linder
Ruben Linder, was president of AEM San Antonio in 2017, he was born in Mexico City. He moved to Monterrey, Nuevo Leon in 1996, were in 1999 he founded his first company: Media Concepts. An audio and video production company based in Monterrey and Mexico city, producing TV commercials and Radio campaigns for AAA agencies and brands such as Bimbo, Axtel, Televisa among many others.
In 2008, Linder founded Open Audio in Monterrey, and by 2010 he expanded his company to the United States, servicing US companies like DuPont, Rent-A-Center and the University of Texas at Austin.
Rubén Linder
Emilio Guzmán
Emilio Guzmán is responsible for strategic client management communication, international partnerships & alliances, marketing, and investment compliance to enable the most effective business relations between investors and the company at Houston EB5.
Mr. Guzmán brings over 20 years of experience in residential and commercial real estate investment markets. He has highly developed skills in negotiation, investment, investor relations, and business strategy.
As part of his continued studies, Mr. Guzmán obtained an Executive Certification from Harvard Business School in Real Estate Capitals, Partnerships and Portfolios.
Emilio Guzmán
Gabriel Díaz
After a long road into the entrepreneurship world and through determination and drive, Gabriel Diaz became an accomplished businessman and entrepreneur. He started from humble beginnings selling door to door during his high school years in the town of Brownsville Texas. Gabriel funded his way through UT Business school by creating his first venture, a small import company that sold items to beach stores. Later, he became a telemarketer at MCI, a telecommunications company. Gabriel’s career moved fast and at the age of 29 he became Sr. VP of Sales at IP Communications at a national high-speed data provider.
Mr. Diaz founded Reallinx, Inc. in 2002, a national data carrier, focused on aggregating carriers nationwide and offering a one stop shop to multi-site companies. Over the period of 14 years, Reallinx evolved into a Global Managed Service Provider offering Hosted PBX, VoIP, data, managed security and monitoring services. Reallinx was sold in 2016 to GTT Communications Inc.
In the last five years Gabriel has been successful at diversifying his time and capital into multiple ventures ranging from technology, food distribution, trucking, dental clinics and dental laboratories, to his favorite enterprise, the design and creation of long range, off road expedition vehicles.
Through his passion for entrepreneurship, Gabriel has inspired and guided many other entrepreneurs. He served as an advisor for TECHBA, a technology incubator founded by the Mexican Government in conjunction with the MCC Institute of UT. Diaz taught entrepreneurship to small and startup businesses for five years through community programs. Gabriel currently serves as President and board member of the Asociacion de Empresarios Mexicanos (Mexican Business Entrepreneur Association) Austin Chapter.
Gabriel Díaz
Austin Chapter President
Claudia Torrescano
AEM Dallas Fort Worth chapter, President
A Public relations, communications and marketing consultant. Claudia has collaborated with as the Editor of the Spanish language catalog for JC Penney World Headquarters, later joined Associates First Capital as the Latin America Manager for Mexico, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica markets, coordinating advertising, marketing and media campaigns. She later joined Univision Communications, Inc. as the Director of Community Affairs and hosted a Spanish live talk show for eleven years, and hosted Univision 23 community affairs show for Dallas, and top of the hour news for the AM radio network in US.
In 2017, she was the recipient of the OHTLI Award, and in 2018, she received the Global Race Award from the Harvard School of Business School and Executive Global System
Claudia has many years being an active member of the community and has served for the committees below:
• Instituto de Mexicanos en el Exterior, IME Board Member.
• City of Dallas Office of Welcoming Community and Immigrant Affairs
• The Mexico Institute Board Member
Claudia Torrescano
Dallas Chapter President
José Medina
Jose Medina is the AEM Guanajuato chapter president. and lives in Salamanca, Guanajuato. He studied got a degree in Computer Systems Engineering at ITESM , he served as General Manager at Grupo Mexico Quantum. He earned an MBA and two certifications, the first one in Managerial Skills and the second one in Corporate Finance. Years later he decided to get a second master's degree in Public Administration. José is founded and CEO of Ingeniosoft SA de CV, and he is also founder of Preventia SAPI .
José Medina
Guanajuato Chapter President
Francisco Zorrilla
Francisco Zorrilla is a Mexican entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience. He has undertaken business in various sectors such as: Agriculture, Mining, Energy (Gas Stations), Construction, Machinery, Automotive, Restaurant and Real Estate.
Currently represents some brands in both Mexico and the United States: Bobcat and Doosan (Korea), Isuzu (Japan), Volkswagen (Germany), Houllote (France), JCB (United Kindom), Pemex (Mexico).
Starting January 2017 he has served as President of the Mexican Entrepreneurs Association of Houston Chapter (AEM).
He studied in the University of the Americas Puebla the career of Business Administration graduating with Honorable Mention and later he studied the Masters in Finance in the same University.
Francisco Zorrilla
Houston Chapter President
Javier Martínez
FOUNDER AND CEO OF MARTINEZ BRANDS
Dr. Javier Martínez is the founder and CEO of Martínez Brands, a company dedicated to the importation and sale of alcoholic beverages in the United States and other international markets. Dr. Martinez is considered an authority on brand development and all matters related to the wine and spirits industry. He is also an active promoter of business of both sides of the border. He was in charge of the International Affairs Committee of the Tequila Regulatory Council and served as Chairman of the Advisory Council of Promexico in Los Angeles in the period of 2012 – 2013, and Vice President of the Advisory Council of NAFIN from 2001 to 2012. A native of the State of Aguascalientes, Dr. Martinez is a graduate of the Metropolitan Autonomous University in Mexico City and has the title of Master and PhD from the University of Oxford.
Javier Martínez
LA Chapter President
Salomón Sacal
An entrepreneur with a passion for science, technology and philosophy. Founding partner of Conlana Capital, one of the leading online microfinance lenders for the emerging middle class in Mexico.
Salomon has collaborated in various high impact initiatives including televised debates, scientific dissemination programs, international idea forums and the organization of cultural events for the Mexican Embassy in Israel.
He ventured into the greenhouse gas emission reduction markets with an avoided deforestation, conservation and sustainable development project (REDD+) derived from the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the United Nations and cofounded a social and cultural exchange group between international and Mexican students.
Aside from being a serial Entrepreneur, Salomon regularly volunteers as a coach for social entrepreneurs, serves on the board of numerous civil society associations and is involved with several national and international philanthropic organizations.
Salomón Sacal
Flavio Garduño
Flavio Garduño is originally from Mexico City. He graduated from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey –ITESM at the Guaymas, Sonora Campus where he earned his Biochemical Engineering Degree and specialized in Management.
For more than 20 years he was in charge of Operations and Transnational Commercial Corporations such as Grupo INFRA, Restaurantes PEPSICO and ING; in both cases leading groups of more than 350 people.
16 years ago he founded in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, a consultant group that is known for establishing for its clients: Operational Development Strategies, Leadership Training and Coaching, Commercial Sales Growth focused on the Development of Personal Human Value – becoming his main and strongest belief.
This particular focus and the impact that has created among its clients and friends has allowed him to become one of the leading service providers in well-known Banks, Retirement Fund Institutions, Insurance and Financial Institutions of Mexico and the southern United States, where by invitation, almost 13 years ago he began to be part of while witnessing the growth and unstoppable expansion of the Mexican entrepreneurs in the United States. To assist and support our fellow Mexicans, he founded the company GAROL ENTERPRISES, whose main function is to reinforce The Strategies of Formation and Cultural Alignment as well as The Strategies’ Unification of Operating Development that go far beyond the border.
For the past 5 years has been the Executive Director of a consulting firm who works Energy Saving providing advice in Northern Mexico and Southern United States.
Flavio Garduño
RGV Chapter President
Luis Hernández
Luis Hernández
San Antonio Chapter President
José Antonio Yuriar
Background
José Antonio was born in Tampico, Tamaulipas, a state bordering with Texas. José Antonio's upbringing in México consisted living in different cities in north, central and south of México with his family.
José Antonio holds a B.Sc. in Electronics Engineering and Communications from Universidad de las Américas - Puebla. He joined London Consulting Group in 1998 as a junior consultant. The Firm, which has operations in 24 countries, allowed José Antonio to travel and work to countries in North, South and Central America. During one of his projects in Peru he met his wife Melissa and the family settled in México.
José Antonio's focus while serving the Central America market included projects in manufacturing, distribution, retail, health services and banking. After supporting the growth and development of that market in the 2000s, José Antonio was promoted to Partner of the Firm and opened the company's first office in the US East Coast in 2010.
Current Role
José Antonio is currently the Managing Partner for London Consulting Group. He is the leader of practice in the East Coast. The practice is growing regionally into the mid-West and some southern states. José Antonio's team focuses on Manufacturing and Distribution, and on implementing the Firm's know-how into other verticals in the upcoming years.
Other interests
José Antonio is devoted to his family, and together they are avid travelers and tennis players. José Antonio participates as board member of various non-profit organizations, and is an angel investor and board member of startups in the US and Mexico. Currently he is the President for AEM The Woodlands.
José Antonio Yuriar
Woodlands Chapter President