samfco
ABOUT
The San Antonio Mexico Friendship Council is a non-profit organization founded in 1996 by the then Consul General of Mexico in San Antonio, Carlos Sada, and various prominent community leaders to strengthen and promote the shared cultural ties between the citizens of San Antonio and Mexico.
The organization supports a myriad of cultural and civic activities along with the Mexican Consulate and the Mexican Cultural Institute in San Antonio. SAMFCO also provides students of Mexican origin attending colleges and universities in the San Antonio area with scholarships to further their education. SAMFCO’s board is comprised by San Antonio civic, governmental, cultural, educational and business leaders from both the United States and Mexico. Traditionally, the Consul General of Mexico serves as Honorary Chairman and the current President of the Council is Juan Antonio Flores, Executive Vice President for Governmental Affairs of Port San Antonio.
BOARD MEMBERS
Chair
The Honorable Rubén Minutti Zanatta
Consul General of Mexico in San Antonio
President
Magdalena Barrera
Assistant Director, Network Partner Integration
University Health
Vice President
Lisa Montoya
Vice Provost for International Initiatives and Senior International Officer
Treasurer
Yvette Gonzalez
Vice President-International Department
International Bank of Commerce
Secretary
Shahrzad (Sherry) Dowlatshahi
Chief Diplomacy &Protocol Officer
Head of Global Engagement Office
Parliamentarian
Natalie Cerón, J.D.
Attorney
Juan Antonio Flores
SAMFCO Past President (2019-21)
SAMFE President (2022- Present)
Executive VP, Government Affairs
BOARD MEMBERS
John Agather
Community Leader
Armen Babajanian
Executive Director
World Affairs Council of San Antonio
David Berrocal Diaz-Faes
Asst. Vice President for Corporate Business Development
Ernest Bromley
Managing Partner
Pescador Public Strategies, LLC
Charles (Chuck) Brehm
CEO
Universal ServicesGroup LLC
Alejandra Bueno
Executive Director International Programs
Alamo Colleges District
Jorge Canavati
President
Canavati & Co, LLC.
Gerardo Carvajal
La Familia Cortez Restaurants
Graciela Cigarroa
General Counsel
Centromed
Gerardo de Anda
Founder
Gusto Group USA
Carlos M. De LaChica
Assistant Vice President-Private Banking
Frost Bank
Amado Duron
Executive Director in Business Development
Nustar Energy
Elizabeth Fauerso
Chief Marketing Officer
The Pearl
Carmen Robles
Director
Herdez Foundation
Ernesto Saenz Navarro
Overland Partners
Sara Salazar
International Development Manager, Grocery Cookie/Cracker H-E-B
Sara Salazar
International Development Manager, Grocery Cookie/Cracker
Rosa Santana
President and CEO
Integrated Human Capital
Maria Stanton
Vice President Supply Chain
CPS Energy
Federica Soriano de Teresa
CEO
CRIT USA/TELETON USA
Marcos Fragoso
Vice President for International Affairs
University of the Incarnate Word
Jorge A. Garcia
Director of International Program
Martin & Drought, P.C.
Randy Harig
CEO
Velocity TX
Luis F. Hernandez
Financial Services Professional
New York Life Company
Jennifer L. Jenks
Market Manager
AeroMexico
Ruben Linder
CEO
OPCOM Media Group
Calixto Mateos, Ph.D.
Managing Director
North American Development Bank
Curt Parker
South Central Area Director
Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages
Ezequiel Peña
Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs–Global & Strategic
Rosa Ramirez
Executive Director of Credit
Valero Companies
Jose “Joe” Reyes Jr.
Premium Partnerships, Manager
Spurs Sports and Entertainment
Rodolfo Spielmann
CEO
NatureSweet Tomatoes
Gabriel Quintero Velasquez
President/CEO
Avenida Guadalupe Association
Paula De Gortari
Director
UNAM-San Antonio
Marina Gonzalez, J.D.
President & CEO
San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Javier Lopez de Obeso, J.D.
President of AEM San Antonio
Attorney at Law, F&C Consulting Group
Chris Morris
President & General Manager Univision Univision Communications, Inc.
TBD
President & General Manager
Telemundo San Antonio
ADVISORY COMMITTE OF THE BOARD
Paula De Gotari
Director
UNAM-San Antonio
Javier Lopez de Obeso
President of AEM San Antonio
Attorney at Law, F&C Consulting Group
TBD
President & General Manager
Telemundo San Antonio
EMERITUS ADVISORY COMMITTE OF THE BOARD
Hope Andrade
SAMFE Past President (2005 – 2008)
Mike Casey
SAMFCO Founding Board Member (1996 – 2018)
Elizabeth E. Costello
SAMFCO Past President (2013-14)
Louis Escareño
SAMFCO Past President (2022)
Attorney at Law
Veronica Salazar Escobedo
SAMFCO Founding President (1996-2005)
Ruben Escobedo
SAMFE Founding President (1996 – 2004)
Cecilia Elizondo Herrera
Community Leader
SAMFCO Past President (2015-17)
Amparo Ortiz
SAMFCO Founding Board Member (1996-2018)
Ana Celia Partida
SAMFCO Founding Board Member (1996-2020)
Henry Sauvignet
SAMFCO Past President (2006 – 12)
SAMFE Past President (2009-14)
Frances Ortiz Schultschik
SAMFCO Past President (2017-18)
CONSULAR STAFF
Diego Armenta
Consul for Public & Media Affairs
Consulate General of Mexico
Desiree Richards
Liaison with SAMFCO
Consulate General of Mexico
Valeria Campomanes
Public & Media Affairs
Consulate General of Mexico
Get In Touch
127 NAVARRO ST SAN ANTONIO TX 78205
(210) 227-9145
info@samfco.com