Guillermo Diaz Jr. elected Chairman of HITEC Board of Directors

We are delighted to share the great news that Cultura Ambassador and #CreoEnTi Champion of Silicon Valley Latino, Guillermo Díaz Jr., has been elected Chairman of the HITEC Board of Directors. 

Guillermo Díaz is a focused and determined man who never really sees obstacles, so much as assignments on a checklist of life’s “to do”.  As Diaz talks about his career moves, one thing is clear and not lost on his audience. Guillermo Díaz wakes up every morning determined to do his best, always steadfast in the resolve to make a difference. That is what makes him a great leader of people. At an early age, teachers pointed out how he possessed something clearly exceptional and it was then that he started his path towards being an effective leader.

Press Release originally released by HITEC

January 18, 2019 (SAN JOSE, CA.), -- Guillermo Díaz Jr., SVP and Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Cisco, has been elected Chairman of the HITEC Board of Directors. Diaz succeeds Alberto Yépez, who has served as Chairman of the organization since 2008. Yépez has been named Chairman Emeritus in recognition for his distinguished service and critical role in growing the organization.

“I am excited to have the confidence of my colleagues on the board. I look forward to working with our board, our team and our partners to help grow HITEC’s impact and influence,” Diaz said. “We remain committed to being the leading organization for Hispanics in technology and innovation and to helping build the next generation of Hispanic technology leaders.”

Rosa Ramos-Kwok, Managing Director for JP Morgan Chase & Co. will serve as HITEC’s Vice Chair.  Miriam Hernandez-Kakol, Partner & Customer and Operations Global Leader for KPMG will serve as HITEC’s Board Secretary and Darrell Higueros, CEO of Next Generation Inc. will continue to serve as HITEC’s Treasurer.  

“I have been honored to serve as Chairman of HITEC and I’m happy to say that because of the commitment and active involvement of our members, corporate partners and advocates, HITEC has been ‘built to last’ and that our motto of pushing up and pulling up summarizes our key tenant of service to our community,” Yépez said. “I’m confident that Guillermo and the board will lead HITEC into the organization’s next phase of growth and I look forward to continuing to be actively involved in HITEC. Our time has come.”        

The following individuals join the HITEC Board of Directors effective January 2019:

•     Andy Erlandson, General Manager, Microsoft

•     Marcelo De Santis, Executive Advisor, Digital Transformation, ThoughtWorks

•     Adriana Torres, Senior VP & Global Head of Hospitality and Food & Beverage Support, Oracle Corporation

Longtime HITEC member, Ramón Baez, will serve as Chairman of the HITEC Foundation.  The HITEC Foundation works to build a sustainable pipeline for future Latinx leaders in technology by providing scholarships, internships and mentoring to Hispanic youth.    

“I am thrilled to be selected to serve as the Chairman for the HITEC Foundation board. The Board consist of terrific global IT leaders that happened to be Hispanic.  We will be focused on raising funds collaborating with our partners for providing scholarships to Latinx students that are working hard to attain a degree in computer science and technology,” Baez said.  

This year, four HITEC board members have concluded their board service. Alberto Yépez, Myrna Soto, Ileana Rivera and Carlos Amésquita have served with distinction and we are grateful for their service and contributions.