Keynote Speakers - Hispanic Engineering, Science, & Technology (HESTEC)

Hispanic Engineering, Science and Technology Program

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	Congressman Rubén Hinojosa U.S. Congressman (TX-15) Congressman Rubén Hinojosa, a longtime businessman and native of the Rio Grande Valley/ South Texas, was elected to represent Texas' 15th Congressional District in November 1996. The Congressman serves on two House Committees: Education and the Workforce; and Financial Services. He is also a Co-Chair of the Democratic Caucus Education Task Force, and in this capacity will develop a strong education policy in the 107th Congress. Congressman Hinojosa has distinguished himself as an advocate ... Read More!
	Congressman Gene Green U.S. Congressman (TX-29) Congressman Gene Green was first sworn in as the Member of Congress from the 29th Congressional District of Texas in 1993 after twenty years in the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas Senate. In 1996 he was appointed to the powerful House Energy Commerce Committee and currently serves as Vice-Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health and as a member of the following subcommittees: Subcommittee on Telecommunications & the Internet, Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations and on the Sub... Read More!
	Congressman Charles A. Gonzalez U.S. Congressman (TX-20) Charles A. Gonzalez is currently in his fifth term in the United States Congress as the Representative from the 20th Congressional District of Texas. Congressman Gonzalez is a member of the New Democrats and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. As a Freshman in the 106th Congress, Congressman Gonzalez was elected Vice President of his class. Since 1999, Congressman Gonzalez has served as a Texas Regional Whip for the Democratic Caucus and as Chair of the Hispanic Caucus Civil Rights Task Forc... Read More!
	Congressman Henry Cuellar U.S. Congressman (TX-28) The Wall Street Journal calls him, "A pro-growth member in the John F. Kennedy mold," one of the "Seven Best Legislators," writes The Dallas Morning News. A favorite son of Laredo, the city has honored him as "Laredoan of the Year," "Distinguished Citizen of the Year," and "Humanitarian of the Year." The San Antonio Express-News says, "Cuellar has worked hard and demonstrated an independent nonpartisan mind-set..." and also notes that "Cuellar's willingness to place his district ... Read More!
	Congressman Ciro D. Rodriguez U.S. Congressman (TX-23) Congressman Rodriguez serves on the House Committee on Appropriations where he sits on the Homeland Security and Transportation, Housing & Urban Development & Related Agencies Subcommittees. He also serves on the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs in the Subcommittees on Disability Assistance & Memorial Affairs and Oversight & Investigations. Congressman Rodriguez's leadership is further exemplified in his involvement with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) where he serves as the Chair o... Read More!
	Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee U.S. Congressman (TX-18) Hailed by EBONY Magazine as one of the "100 MOST Fascinating Black Women of the Century" and "Congressional Quarterly," as one of the 50 most effective members in Congress. Sheila Jackson Lee received her undergraduate degree from Yale University, graduating from the Honors Program in Political Science. She went on to receive her law degree from the University Of Virginia School Of Law. Before her election to Congress, Mrs. Jackson Lee was an Associate Municipal Judge for the city of Houston... Read More!
	Congressman Lloyd Doggett U.S. Congressman (TX-25) Congressman Lloyd Doggett's career of public service spans four decades, two branches of government, and two capitol buildings. Doggett began his career at the University of Texas in Austin, where he was elected Student Body President in 1967. Later, he graduated from the UT school of Law with honors while serving as an associate editor of the Texas Law Review. At 26, he was elected to the Texas Senate, where during his 11 years of service he became known for untiring work ethic. He authored ... Read More!
	Congressman Solomon Ortiz U.S. Congressman (TX-27) Congressman Solomon Ortiz was elected to Congress in 1982 and has since served South Texas in the U.S. Congress. Being a child of a migrant family, Ortiz has enduring memories of his familys life from his early childhood, an experience that often leads him to view the questions of poverty, budget and health care before Congress through a prism of personal experience. He is a Democrat, conservative on social issues and progressive on fiscal policy. At the age of 16, Ortiz' father died and he ... Read More!
	Dr. Blandina Cardenas President The University of Texas-Pan American Dr. Blandina Cárdenas is the seventh president of The University of Texas-Pan American and the first woman to lead the institution in its 79-year history. She was named to succeed Dr. Miguel A. Nevárez on July 21, 2004, chosen from among six finalists, after a 10-month long nationwide search. Prior to coming to UTPA, Cárdenas was the dean of the College of Education and a professor of educational leadership at The University of Texas at San Antonio. She went to UTSA in 1995 and was made fu... Read More!
	Mr. John Quiñones Co-Anchor, Primetime Live ABC News John Quiñones is a co-anchor of "Primetime Live" and was most recently a correspondent for "Primetime Thursday" and "20/20." He had previously been a correspondent for "PrimeTime Live" since November 1991. Quiñones has also served as a co-anchor of "Downtown," covering unique stories for the newsmagazine that premiered in October 1999. Quiñones' recent work includes a "Primetime" hidden camera report in which he went undercover to reveal how clinics were performing unnecessary surgical proc... Read More!
	Mr. William Powers, Jr. President The University of Texas at Austin William Powers received his B.A. (Chemistry) from the University of California at Berkeley in 1967, and his J.D., magna cum laude, from the Harvard Law School in 1973. From 1973 to 1974 he was law clerk to Judge Eugene Wright, United States Court of Appeals (Ninth Circuit). In 2006, Powers became president of the University of Texas at Austin. He is also a University Distinguished Teaching Professor and holds the Hines H. Baker and Thelma Kelley Baker Chair in Law at the School of L... Read More!
	Mr. Rex W. Tillerson Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Exxon Mobil Corporation A native of Wichita Falls, Texas, Mr. Tillerson earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Texas at Austin before joining Exxon Company, U.S.A. in 1975 as a Production Engineer. In 1989, he became General Manager of EUSA's Central Production Division, responsible for oil and gas production operations throughout a large portion of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas. In 1992 Mr. Tillerson was named Production Advisor to Exxon Corporation. Three years later ... Read More!
	Mr. John D. Hofmeister President Shell Oil Company John D. Hofmeister was named president of Shell Oil Company, based in Houston, March 1, 2005. Hofmeister joined Shell as director of Human Resources, based in The Hague, Netherlands, and London, UK, in 1997. Prior to joining Shell he served as vice president, International Human Resources, for AlliedSignal Inc. based in Hong Kong, where he was responsible for developing and implementing AlliedSignal's Asian and European human resources strategy and infrastructure for its Aerospace, Automot... Read More!
	Mr. Gary R. Heminger President, Marathon Petroleum Company LLC Executive Vice President, Marathon Oil Corporation Gary R. Heminger is executive vice president of Marathon Oil Corporation and serves as one of Marathon's corporate officers. He joined the Company in 1975 and was appointed to his current position in July 2005. In addition to this role, Mr. Heminger is president of Marathon Petroleum Company LLC (formerly Marathon Ashland Petroleum LLC (MAP)), a wholly owned subsidiary of Marathon. He was appointed to this position in September 2001. In January 2001, Mr. Heminger was named MAP executive ... Read More!
	Mrs. Melendy Lovett President, Education Technology business & Senior Vice President Texas Instruments Ms. Lovett grew up in Dallas, TX and attended Texas A&M University, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Management in 1979. From 1979 to 1981, she worked at Republic Bank of Dallas as an information technology consultant while completing her Masters Degree in Accounting at The University of Texas at Dallas. She also became a Certified Public Accountant during this time. From 1981 to 1985, she joined the Accounting Development Program at ARCO Oil & Gas and held positions of increasing responsib... Read More!
	Mr. James G. Vella President Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services James G. Vella is president, Ford Motor Company Fund and Community Services. In this role, he leads all philanthropic and community service-related activities, including coordination of volunteer efforts by Ford employees and all activities of the Ford Motor Company Fund, a separate philanthropic organization funded largely by Ford Motor Company profits. Ford Fund's primary focus is education, and it also supports organizations and innovative programs that promote automotive safety educati... Read More!
	Mr. John S. Katzman Chairman and Chief Executive Officer The Princeton Review Shortly after graduating from Princeton University in 1981, John S. Katzman founded The Princeton Review. He first taught his unique SAT test-preparation course to 15 high school students in his parent's New York City apartment. As word spread, demand for The Princeton Review course grew around the country. This year, more than 150,000 students will take its classroom and online courses, and millions more will use its books, software, and Web sites to find, get into, and pay for college a... Read More!
	Mr. Brent Christopher President & CEO Communities Foundation of Texas As President and Chief Executive Officer of Communities Foundation of Texas beginning August 2005, Brent Christopher provides wide-ranging experience in philanthropy as the foundation embarks on a new era of growth and giving. His breadth of knowledge includes leadership and management, strategic planning, and fund raising. He also previously has provided legal counsel for litigation and matters involving non-profit governance and operations. Brent earned his law degree from The University o... Read More!
	Mr. Adalio T. Sanchez General Manager, Technology Collaboration Solutions IBM Systems and Technology Group Adalio T. Sanchez is the general manager of the Technology Collaboration Solutions business unit within IBM's Systems and Technology Group. The new unit is charged with empowering clients to collaborate with IBM technology and engineering capabilities to drive innovation in their products and services. Sanchez is responsible for all of IBMs semiconductor operations and overall financial performance for the microelectronics business, technology development and manufacturing, engineering and te... Read More!
	Mrs. Linda Gooden Executive Vice President Lockheed Martin Information Systems & Global Services Linda Gooden leads Lockheed Martin Information Systems & Global Services (IS&GS), one of the corporations four principal business areas. Operating in nearly every U.S. state and over 50 countries with an employee base 52,000 strong, IS&GS delivers aggregated mission solutions, information systems and global services to enable mission success for its government customers around the globe. Prior to her current role, Ms. Gooden served as Executive Vice President of Lockheed Martins Information Te... Read More!
	Mrs. Jean E. Spence Executive Vice President of Global Technology and Quality Kraft Foods Inc. Jean E. Spence is executive vice president of Global Technology and Quality for Kraft Foods Inc. She is responsible for all research, product and packaging development, nutrition, quality, food safety and security, and scientific affairs worldwide. Spence joined Kraft in 1981 as a research engineer for Maxwell House coffee research and holds three U.S. and worldwide patents for her development work. She held a variety of management positions in Research and Development and Quality before be... Read More!
	Mr. Scott E. Davis Vice President, MidContinent/Alaska Business Unit Chevron Scott Davis is Vice President of Chevron's MidContinent/Alaska Business Unit (MCA BU), responsible for managing the company's onshore oil and gas production assets in the central Lower 48 United States, extending from Wyoming to South Texas, as well as its onshore and offshore assets in the Cook Inlet and North Slope regions of Alaska. MCA BU is among the top three business units at Chevron in terms of production, earnings and proved reserves. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, the business ... Read More!
	Mr. Albert M. Gaydos Vice-President of Operations Raytheon Intelligence and Information Systems Before assuming this position of vice president of operations in 2003, Albert Gaydos was vice president of finance for the Imagery and Geospatial Systems business unit of Raytheon. He had held this position since June 1994 with responsibility for finance, facilities, and information systems functions as well as advanced concepts programs. He was also responsible for quality assurance, special programs, contracts, and supply chain. He is a two-time recipient of the Raytheon Small Business Leaders... Read More!
	Mr. John M. Hairston NASA Acting Assistant Administrator for the Office of Education John M. Hairston Jr. was named as acting assistant administrator for the Office of Education by NASA Deputy Administrator Shana Dale on June 2, 2006. In this new role, Hairston is responsible for providing executive leadership to the Office of Education. He ensures policy direction, functional management and guidance in coordinating the agency's overall efforts to organize and enhance its education programs. Hairston was the director of the External Programs Directorate at NASA Glenn Rese... Read More!
	Mrs. Alicia Fernandez-Campfield Vice-President of Lean Six Sigma Developing Markets Operations Xerox Corporation Alicia Fernandez-Campfield is vice president of Lean Six Sigma for Xerox Corporation's Developing Markets Operations group, based in Stamford, Conn. A certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Fernandez-Campfield leads the implementation of the company's primary business improvement program within Xerox's largest geographical operation. Developing Markets Operations focuses on more than 140 countries around the world, including Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, Eurasia, India and Russia. In... Read More!
	Mr. Steven Hinchman Senior Vice President of Worldwide Production Marathon Oil Corporation Steven B. Hinchman is senior vice president of Worldwide Production for Marathon Oil Corporation and serves as a member of Marathon's Executive Committee. Hinchman joined Marathon in 1980 as a field engineer and subsequently held a number of technical, staff and managerial positions of increasing responsibility in the company's domestic and international exploration and production organizations. In September 2000, he was appointed senior vice president of Production Operations for Marathon... Read More!
	Mr. José Díaz-Balart News Anchor Telemundo Network's Award-winning journalist José Díaz-Balart is the news anchor for Telemundo Network's "Cada día" morning program. Díaz-Balart is also the network's national director of Community Affairs as well as the anchor and managing editor of "Enfoque," Telemundo's public affairs program. He was the first journalist in the United States to anchor both a daily Spanish and English language newscast. He has also served as host of various news programs for Telemundo, including the morning shows, "Hoy en e... Read More!
	Mr. Ernesto Fajardo Vice President Monsanto Company Ernesto Fajardo is the Vice President of Monsanto's U.S. Crop Production Business. In this role, Ernesto has commercial responsibility for Monsanto's U.S. businesses that include chemistry, traits, and our branded and licensed seed businesses. Ernesto has been in the Agricultural Business for the last 16 years. His experience includes Multinational companies and Distribution. He has been with Monsanto for the last 12 years. Ernesto most recently has led the Latin America North organizatio... Read More!
	Mr. Jason Ryan Dorsey Author, Speaker, Entrepreneur Golden Ladder Productions, LTD Jason Ryan Dorsey is a respected national youth leader and the most highly sought-after young speaker in America. Only 28 years old, Jason has spoken to 500,000 students, educators, and parents across the US and as far away as Egypt, Finland, and India. He authored his first bestselling book, Graduate to Your Perfect Job, at age 18. This book is now a course in 1,700 schools and colleges. Jason's unique insight into Generation Y has led to his appearance on CBS's "20/20," NBC's "Today Sho... Read More!
	Mr. Jose M. Hernandez Astronaut NASA PERSONAL DATA: Born August 7, 1962 in French Camp, California. Considers Stockton, California, to be his hometown. EDUCATION: B.S., Electrical Engineering, University of the Pacific, 1984. M.S., Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of California-Santa Barbara, 1986. ORGANIZATIONS: Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists (MAES). SPECIAL HONORS: NASA Service Awards (2002, 2003), L... Read More!
	Mr. Ben G. Romero Director, Intelligence Lockheed Martin Washington Operations Ben Romero is Director, Intelligence, Lockheed Martin Washington Operations. In this position, Mr. Romero brings a comprehensive knowledge of national security with over 28 years of professional experience in the Department of Defense and Intelligence Community. Additionally, he brings over 8 years of significant management and business development experience and expertise in growing the Intelligence and Homeland Security marketplace for information technology services and functional business ... Read More!
	Mrs. Nancy L. Gioia Director, Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Vehicle Programs Ford Motor Company Nancy Lee Gioia is Ford Motor Company's director of Sustainable Mobility Technologies and Hybrid Vehicle Programs. Appointed to this position Nov. 1, 2005, she is leading efforts develop and implement Ford's current and next generation of sustainable products - including today's Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid. In addition, Gioia oversees research, development and ultimately deployment of other sustainable mobility technologies such as hydrogen internal combustion engines and h... Read More!
	Dr. Catherine T. Hunt 2007 President, American Chemical Society Leader, Technology Partnerships, Rohm and Haas Company Dr. Catherine T. "Katie" Hunt is Leader, Technology Partnerships for Rohm and Haas Company. Accelerating the pace of innovation in the company by fostering collaboration with industry, academia, national laboratories, government agencies and foundations is her main role. Since creating the unit in 2002, she has helped secure multi-million dollar grants from federal agencies to improve collaboration across all sectors. Dr. Hunt began her career as a senior scientist at Rohm and Haas Company af... Read More!
	Mrs. Diane Auer Jones Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education Office of Postsecondary Education President Bush nominated Diane Auer Jones as assistant secretary for postsecondary education on May 22, 2007, and she was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on August 4, 2007. As assistant secretary, Jones serves as the principal adviser to the Secretary on Departmental matters related to developing postsecondary education policy and legislative proposals. The Office of Postsecondary education is responsible for administering numerous programs, including those designed to provide financial assistanc... Read More!
	Ms. Mery-Angela S. Katson Commander Executive Officer, NRD San Antonio Commander Mery-Angela S. Katson was born in Colombia, South America and raised in New Rochelle, NY. She enlisted under the Navy's Delayed Entry Program in November 1981 and reported for Boot Camp in Orlando, FL, in July 1982. Upon graduation from Basic Training, she was assigned as a Deck Seaman on board the USS Point Loma (AGDS-2) in San Diego, CA, where she earned the Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialty qualification. She was designated as a Disbursing Clerk and reported as the Leading Petty... Read More!
	Mrs. Lueny Morell Director, University Relations Latin America Hewlett-Packard Company Lueny Morell is Director of University Relations for Latin America for Hewlett Packard Company responsible for developing and strengthening HP's ties to a select number of institutions in Latin America. Since joining HP in 2002, Morell has extended the reach of Labs through programs that organize engagement with the external research community in alignment with HP technology strategies; broadened funding opportunities through public/private partnerships, participated in major sales efforts t... Read More!
	Mrs. Patricia E. Loera, Esq. Senior Program Officer, Education Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Patricia Loera currently serves as a Senior Program Officer for Education at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where her resonsibilities include leading the Foundation's strategy and managing investments to ensure that all students graduate "college-ready" in the state of Texas, focusing especially on the achievement of African-American and Hispanic students. Prior to assuming her current position, Patricia served as the Legislative Director for the National Association for Bilingual Edu... Read More!
	Dr. Lee M.E. Morin, M.D., PH.D. (Captin, USN) Astronaut NASA PERSONAL DATA: Born September 9, 1952 in Manchester, New Hampshire. Married. Two children. Two grandchildren. An amateur machinist, he enjoys math, jogging. EDUCATION: Graduated from the Western Reserve Academy, Hudson, Ohio in 1970; received a bachelor of science degree in mathematical/electrical science from the University of New Hampshire in 1974; a master of science degree in biochemistry from New York University in 1978, a doctorate of medicine and microbiology degrees from New York Univ... Read More!
	Mrs. Magda N. Yrizarry Vice President - Workplace Culture, Diversity and Compliance Verizon Communications Magda Yrizarry is vice president- Workplace Culture, Diversity and Compliance in Corporate Human Resources for Verizon. She is responsible for strategic HR issues and policies relating to diversity, ethics and workplace programs. Prior to her current assignment, Ms. Yrizarry was executive director- Public Policy and Strategic Alliances for Verizon. She was responsible for Verizon's key national stakeholder relationships and outreach efforts with multicultural communities, senior citizen and... Read More!
	Mr. Tony Reinhart Regional Manager of Governmental Affairs Ford Motor Company Tony Reinhart is Ford Motor Company's regional manager of Governmental Affairs (Southwestern Region) based in Kansas City, Mo. He is responsible for implementing Ford Motor Company's legislative and governmental affairs programs in an 11-state region that includes Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada. Just prior to this position, Reinhart served as the manufacturing and Logistics Legislative manager in Washington, DC., where he l... Read More!