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Mexico Business Center Update

By James Clark, Director General of the Mexico Business Center

Honorable Luis Tellez Kuenzler, Secretary of Communications & Transportation of Mexico, will be in San Diego Wednesday evening, September 10, 2008, to receive the Mexico Business Center's Eighth Annual International Tribute Award. The Secretariat of Communications and Transportation is responsible for all communications, infrastructure and transportation projects in Mexico--highways, railways, airports and seaports, including the Punta Colonet megaport project.

President Felipe Calderon appointed Luis Tellez Secretary of Communications and Transportation in December 2006.  In the private sector, Luis Téllez served as Co-Director for The Carlyle Group in Mexico, one of the world’s leading private capital investment groups. Prior to that, Luis Téllez acted as Executive Vice-President of Desc, S.A. de C.V., a Mexican industrial conglomerate. 

In the public sector, Tellez was Secretary of Energy of Mexico from 1997 to 2000.  As Secretary, Téllez promoted the expansion of electrical generation and transmission infrastructure in the country, as well as the development of the Cantarel hydrocarbons mega field. He also promoted the established conditions and private construction for the supply and distribution of natural gas in Mexico, which has been fundamental for Mexico’s economic development.  Téllez also headed the Office of the Presidency of Ernesto Zedillo. As chief of staff, he lead the international negotiations that obtained the crucial financing which allowed Mexico to overcome the economic crisis of 1995. 

Other special San Diego/Tijuana Awards will also be presented at the Awards Gala on September 10, including:

- Outstanding Cultural Achievement Award: XLNC1 Classical Radio for San Diego/Baja California;

- Distinguished Service Award: Institute of the Americas 25th Anniversary;

- San Diego/Tijuana Citizen of the Year: Malin Burnham for Project Smart Border 2010; and

- Special Recognition for Regional Cooperation: Ambassador Luis Cabrera (Mexico) and Minister/Counselor David Stewart (USA).

The Eighth Annual International Tribute Awards Gala will be held at from 5:00-8:30p.m. on Wednesday, September 10, 2008, at the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marine, 333 West Harbor Drive, San Diego. Tables of eight are $1000 and individual tickets are $125. Sponsorships are available. For additional information, call Viviana Ibañez at (619) 544-1362.