Bexar County Commissioners Court presented Mario Hernandez with its highest honor, the Hidalgo Award on Tuesday. Since 1990, Hernandez has served as president of the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation(EDF).
In that time, Hernandez and the foundation team have since brought more than 400 companies and 90,000 jobs to San Antonio.
“I don’t believe you could overstate the importance that (Hernandez) has been to our community,” Judge Nelson Wolff said during the court’s ceremony.
Hernandez has been credited with bringing companies such as Accenture and Toyota to San Antonio, and with putting the city on the map as an economic leader.
“The privilege has been mine to represent San Antonio and Bexar County for so long,” said Hernandez. “I have spent 32 years at the foundation and almost 26 years as president, so I am very grateful that the community let me serve for so long for such an outstanding organization.”
Hernandez announced his retirement last November, but will remain in office until this June once a suitable replacement has been selected.
*Top Image: Mario Hernandez listens as he is presented with an Hidalgo award. Photo by Scott Ball.
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