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Mexico Business Center Update

By James Clark, Director General of the Mexico Business Center

The San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Mexico Business Center will hold the Eighth Annual International Tribute Awards Gala, sponsored by Sempra Energy Mexico, on the evening of Wednesday, September 10, 2008, at the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina. The event will honor Dr. Luis Tellez, Mexico’s Secretary of Communications and Transportation.

The Secretary of Communications and Transportation is responsible for all communications, infrastructure projects and transportation facilities in Mexico, such as highways, railways, airport and seaports—including the megaport Punta Colonet. President Felipe Calderon appointed Luis Tellez Secretary of Communications and Transportation in December 2006.  San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders and Tijuana Mayor Jorge Ramos are scheduled to present the International Tribute Award to Dr.Tellez.

In the private sector, Téllez served as Co-Director for The Carlyle Group in Mexico from 2004 to 2006, one of the world’s leading private capital investment groups. Prior to that, Téllez acted as Executive Vice-President of Desc, S.A. de C.V., from 2002 to 2004, a Mexican industrial conglomerate.

For the public sector, Téllez 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 the conditions and private construction for the supply and distribution of natural gas in Mexico, which has been fundamental for Mexico’s economic development. Prior to this, Téllez 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.

Additional awards will be presented at the Gala for Outstanding Cultural Achievement, Distinguished Service and for the San Diego/Tijuana Citizen of the Year.

The Outstanding Cultural Achievement Award will be presented to XLNC1 Classical Music Radio Station broadcasting for San Diego and northern Baja California. The Distinguished Service Award will go to the Institute of the Americas for 25 years of service to the Western Hemisphere. In addition, Malin Burnham is being honored as San Diego/Tijuana Citizen of the Year for his contributions to Project Smart Border 2010.

Special Recognition Awards will be given to Luis Cabrera and David Stewart for their work as Consuls General of Mexico in San Diego and of the United States in Tijuana, respectively. Cabrera is now Mexico’s Ambassador to South Africa, and Stewart is currently Minister/Counselor at the United States Embassy in Berlin.

For information and reservations or to sponsor this special evening of music, film, food and spirits, contact Viviana Ibañez at (619) 544-1362 or vibanez@sdchamber.org. Individual tickets are $125.00 per person, or $1000 for a table of eight.