Gerald L. Gordon, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA, www.fairfaxcountyeda.org), will receive a 2010 Virginia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Bridge Builder Award on Friday, April 23, 2010. The chamber (VAHCC, www.vahcc.com) will present the award at its annual gala to be held in Richmond.
The chamber presents Bridge Builder Awards to honor those who forge connections among Virginia's diverse racial, ethnic, religious and cultural groups.
"This is an extraordinary honor," Gordon said. "As the child of first-generation Americans, I appreciate the difficulty of coming to a new country and starting a business. The Virginia Hispanic Chamber is helping men and women do exactly that, and working on their behalf to develop business relationships with large companies and integrate them into the economic mainstream. The chamber does important work."
Former recipients of Bridge Builder Awards include former Mexico President Vicente Fox, former U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez, former U.S. Treasurer Anna Escobedo Cabral, and U.S. Sen. (and former Virginia governor) Mark Warner.
"Dr. Gordon's awareness of the power and impact of Hispanic businesses, as well as the economic contributions of minorities and immigrants, exemplifies his ability to bridge both communication and cultural bridges for the economic success of Fairfax County and Virginia," said Michel Zajur, VAHCC president and CEO.
Founded in 2000 and based in Richmond, the VAHCC is the first statewide organization to build economic, social, and cultural bridges between Virginia and its growing Hispanic business community. The VAHCC is an FCEDA partner and maintains its northern Virginia office in the FCEDA's Tysons Corner headquarters.
Time magazine called Fairfax County, just outside Washington, D.C., "one of the great economic success stories of our time." Business growth helps Fairfax County fund the nation's top-rated school system and library, park, public safety and human services that contribute to the quality of life of residents.
The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (www.FairfaxCountyEDA.org) promotes Fairfax County as a business and technology center. The FCEDA maintains marketing offices in five important overseas business centers: Bangalore, Frankfurt, London, Seoul and Tel Aviv.
Contacts:
Fairfax County Economic Development Authority
Alan Fogg,
703-790-0600
Mobile: 571-213-5065
afogg@fceda.org