Born and raised in Corpus Christi, Yolanda Garcia Olivarez remembers how much she admired Dora Cervera Mirabal.
Olivarez watched the dedicated author, businesswoman, civic leader and philanthropist carry out her vision for the community with a passion that inspired everyone who knew of her.
“She was a pioneer, an amazing lady in her own right and she certainly cared about the community,” Olivarez said.
On Wednesday, Olivarez will be honored with the Corpus Christi Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s annual award named in honor of the late Mirabal.
Olivarez is this year’s recipient of the Dora Cervera Mirabal Women’s Leadership Award, which the Hispanic chamber will present to her during its 73rd anniversary Nuestro Éxito Annual Gala and Awards Ceremony.
“To be honored by her I’m just so humbled by the whole thing,” Olivarez said. “I’d like to think I did a lot in the Corpus Christi community.”
Olivarez was appointed by the Obama administration in 2009 as regional administrator for Region VI of the U.S. Small Business Administration. Her office oversees administration programs in Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, Louisiana and Oklahoma.
Before her appointment, Olivarez’s career spanned 35 years in trade and finance, including 15 years as senior vice president and business development officer at Wells Fargo Bank in Corpus Christi.
She also served 12 years on the Port of Corpus Christi commission becoming the first woman and first Hispanic to chair the port’s board.
Olivarez also served on community boards, including the Christus Spohn Health System, housing authority and American Heart Association.
AWARDS RECIPIENTS
Business Person of the Year: Gabe Guerra, Kleberg Bank
Embajador of the Year: Patsy Rocha, Nevill Imaging Solutions
Small Business of the Year: FastSigns, Bill and Beth Stockley
Green Business Award: La Palmera
Corporation of the Year: Corpus Christi Medical Center
Community Advocate of the Year: Sandra Alvarez, AT&T
Nuestro Culturas Award: Buccaneer Commission
Dora Cervera Mirabal Women’s Leadership Award: Yolanda Garcia Olivarez, Region VI Administrator, U.S. Small Business Association
Chairman’s Award: Paul and Vicky Chapa
Source: Corpus Christi Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Similar Posts:
- Women Owned Small Business Rule Finalized
- Six firms collect top honors from AIA Memphis
- Corpus Christi architects, engineers file complaint against CCISD design team
- New SBA lending program promising approval in minutes
- Susser offers stock at $21.75 per share
