HispanicBusiness

Benny Agosto Jr.
Partner
Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, et al.
Mr. Agosto was born in New York City and raised in Puerto Rico, and studied microbiology at the University of Houston. He then taught high school and college students for six years before attending South Texas College of Law. He is the co-founder of Hispanic National Bar Association's Legal Education Fund, which raises money for minority scholarships, and currently serves as its president. He works with programs to promote flexible and sustaining practices that help women attorneys balance family and career. Mr. Agosto is a member of many bar associations throughout Texas and sits on the board of directors for a handful as well. He also is the founder of the Mexican American Bar Association of Texas Foundation (MABATx), which benefits young, Hispanic, Houston-area law students through scholarships.

Fernando Aguirre
Chairman and CEO
Chiquita Brands International Inc.
Mr. Aguirre assumed his leadership role with the $3.5 billion company in January 2004. Prior to working for Chiquita, he worked for more than 23 years in brand management, general management and turnarounds at Procter & Gamble. He is a member of the International Board of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. A native of Mexico, Mr. Aguirre obtained a baseball scholarship at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville.

Jose Armario
Executive vice president of global supply chain, real estate development and franchising
McDonald's Corp.
Mr. Armario is responsible for McDonald's $23 billion procurement of food, packaging and premiums, worldwide purchasing and supplier relationships, and food safety and quality systems strategy. He also will lead the company's efforts in developing locations for McDonald's restaurants around the world. Prior to this position, he was the president of McDonald's Latin America, served as senior vice president and international relationship partner for the region, and was president of McDonald's Chile.

Adam Arroyos
President
ALPFA Institute at the Sam M. Walton College of Business
Mr. Arroyos has experience in senior leadership positions in private, public and nonprofit organizations, as well as through leading his own consulting practice, Adam Arroyos Consulting. During his tenures with organizations such as J.C. Penney Inc. and Wal-Mart Stores Inc., he launched practices and led teams and large-scale initiatives related to diversity and inclusion. He also launched the Northwest Arkansas ALPFA chapter.

Alex Cabanas
President, business development and finance
Benchmark Hospitality International
Mr. Cabanas joined Benchmark Hospitality International in 2006 and is responsible for the company's growth initiatives, including the expansion of its portfolio of award-winning resorts, personal luxury hotels and conference centers. He also oversees the development of Benchmark's capital investment opportunities and relationships. He earned his MBA at Harvard Business School and holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Texas A&M University.

William Candelaria
Partner
Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP
Mr. Candelaria's practice focuses on corporate transactions, private equity and capital markets. He is ranked among the top Latin American investment lawyers in the United States and has represented foreign private issuers, underwriters and institutional investors. He has experience in energy and infrastructure finance, and concentrates his practice on national oil companies and the oil and gas services industry.