By Joseph Lopez
On Wednesday, October 20, 2021, the board of directors and executive leadership of the United States Mexico Chamber of Commerce (USMCOC) gathered at the Decatur House, located in the heart of Washington D.C., for the Annual Conference, Board of Directors Meeting and Good Neighbor Awards Gala. This was the first year hosting in-person events since the on set of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The historic Decatur House was completed in 1819 and serves as the exclusive residence for guests of the White House and home of the White House Historical Association. Due to COVID-related restrictions, the Organization of American States (OAS) building remained closed although it is hoped the venue will once again host the awards gala in 2023.
The Annual Conference opened with a welcome by Chamber President and CEO, Gen. Albert Zapanta, USA, (Ret.), who thanked all for attending and for their continued support of the Chamber at both the chapter and bi-national levels. After Gen. Zapanta’s welcome, the morning panel discussions began.
Panel I: Border Issues & Security featured David Aguilar, principal, Government Service Insurance System (GSIS); Robert Perez, former deputy commissioner, Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Gustavo de la Fuente, executive director, San Diego Tijuana, Smart Border Coalition; Jaime Guerra Pérez, Secretary of Economy, State of Coahuila; moderated by Sergio García Gómez, senior advisor, Trade and Investment, USMCOC.
Panel II: Energy, Transportation & Agriculture panelists were Emil Peña, senior advisor, Murrah & Killough, PLLC, executive director of National Corrosion Center at Rice University, and Energy and Environmental Systems Institute; Alejandro Solís, principal economist, HRD; H.R. Bert Peña, Esq., principal attorney, H.R. Bert Peña Law Firm; moderated by Ambassador Juan Sosa, president and CEO, U.S.-Panama Business Council and former Ambassador of Panama to the U.S.
Panel III: Supply Chain, E-Commerce & Manufacturing panel included Dr. José Zozaya, president, Mexican Association of the Automotive Industry (AMIA); Kenneth SmithRamos, partner, Agon; César Remis, head of the U.S. Office for the Implementation of the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), Embassy of Mexico in the U.S.; moderated by Stephen Lande, president, Manchester Trade, Ltd.
Thomas J. Donahue, former president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and a member of the USMCOC board since 1993, gave the luncheon keynote address. Following this, a Good Neighbor Award was presented to him for his tenure on the USMCOC board while he was both president of the American Trucking Association and the U.S. Chamber.
Dr. José Zozaya, chairman of the USMCOC board of directors, conducted the annual meeting of the Chamber’s board.
Gen. Zapanta presented updates on Chamber programs and activities ranging from cultural to community engagement, as well as COVID financial relief efforts. Preliminary findings of the Chamber’s USMCA Working Group were also discussed.
The private sector GNA recipients included: Patrick J. Ottensmeyer, president & CEO, Kansas City Southern; Alvaro Luque, president and CEO, Avocados From Mexico; and Thomas J. Donahue, former president & CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; member, USMCOC board since 1993; and former president & CEO, American Trucking Association, received his award earlier in the day after he presented the keynote address.
During the proceedings, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Association of Mexican Secretaries of Economic Development and the U.S.-Mexico Chamber of Commerce.
In the evening, the Decatur House hosted the Annual Good Neighbor Awards (GNA) Dinner Gala where several industry leaders were recognized for their accomplishments enhancing cross-border trade and relations.
Joseph Lopez is Manager of International Affairs & Sister Cities with the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce.
