Mark L. Madrid is President and CEO at the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GAHCC). The GAHCC mission is to build its members’ personal, business, educational and financial wealth. The GAHCC vision is to be the center of excellence for businesses and entrepreneurs in the Central Texas Hispanic market.
In April 2012 the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business announced Madrid as the inaugural recipient of a national fellowship for Notre Dame’s Master of Nonprofit Administration. The Mendoza College is the only nationally-ranked business school to offer a graduate business degree designed to advance business leadership and managerial skills while keeping nonprofit leaders in their jobs. The United States Army Reserve 75th Training Command bestowed Madrid the title of Honorary Colonel. This designation “is not given without weighty deliberation of those with authority to bestow it. It is simultaneously an approval of your qualities and a lifelong obligation to uphold those qualities as you will forever more be judged as an honorary member of this proud organization.”
Madrid was recently named one of the inaugural Texas Modern Hispanic Gentlemen by Texas Monthly and Ketel One®. This celebratory campaign singles out men who embody an ideal: Hispanic leaders who pursue excellence in their professional lives and are empowering social change in their community. Madrid was one of four men chosen in the state of Texas for this honor. Through this distinct Texas initiative, Madrid has created the Mark L. Madrid Scholarships, which will be awarded to deserving college students majoring in business from the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Notre Dame.
In 2011 the Houston Business Journal recognized Madrid as one of Houston’s 40 Under 40. Madrid is part of the prestigious few, selected as one of Houston’s most respected and innovative young leaders who show dynamic leadership in Houston. Latino Leaders Magazine named Madrid one of the nation’s top Latinos in the areas of finance, media, non-profits, law, education and entertainment and the arts.
At the beginning and at the end of the day, Madrid’s leverages his trademarks of unbridled enthusiasm, fierce consistency and contagious spirit. Prior to serving in nonprofit executive roles, Madrid enjoyed a flourishing career in banking that began on Wall Street in 1995. Working in New York City was a milestone for Madrid, especially considering that he grew up in a farming community in the Texas Panhandle. Madrid remarks, “In my one stop-light community, the cattle outnumber the people.” Madrid had numerous achievements in banking. His work was designated by J.P. Morgan in 1996 as an International Best Practice for J.P. Morgan offices worldwide. In 1997 Madrid created, launched, and built a National Marketing Department for Temple Inland and became the youngest Hispanic National Director at this Fortune 500 conglomerate.
Madrid holds a BBA from the University of Texas at Austin, where he graduated in 1995 with Honors and earned the designation as an Endowed Presidential Scholar. In December 2014 Madrid will earn his Master’s degree from the University of Notre Dame.
Madrid is fiercely dedicated to the enrichment of the Austin, state of Texas, national and international communities. As a businessperson, he is highly regarded for his signature enthusiasm and expertise. As a philanthropist, he is admired for his passion and grassroots focus, as he serves on notable and diverse community advisory boards.
Since 2008 Madrid has successfully led a trailblazing movement to implement financial literacy curricula in Houston area high schools. For his ambitious efforts, Madrid was honored with the Jefferson Award in September 2011. The Jefferson Awards are a prestigious national recognition system honoring community and public service in America. They began in 1972 to create a Nobel Prize for public service.
In March 2014, Madrid was appointed to the Texas Diversity Council Central Texas Advisory Board. The Advisory Board of the Texas Diversity Council directs the local diversity council. In January 2013 Mayor Annise D. Parker appointed Madrid to serve on the Houston Media Source Board, and in March 2013 the American Marketing Association Houston appointed Madrid to their CMO Advisory Council. In the fall 2011 Madrid completed the Center for Houston’s Future Business/Civic Leadership Forum. Considered The Region’s Think Tank, the Center for Houston’s Future (CFHF) guides emerging and proven leaders to a new understanding of, and a new sense of personal accountability for, the future of the Houston region. In December 2009 Madrid was recognized as the inaugural recipient of the Excellence Award in Community Service by the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP). Madrid was a repeat winner in December 2010 and in 2011 received the organization’s highest honor, the Presidential Award. Madrid’s passion of inspiring the American dream of home ownership was exemplified when he served as Vice-Chair for the 2011 NAHREP signature event, Our New America: Diversity, Entrepreneurship, and Leadership in the 21st Century. In 2012 Madrid served as Chair for the 2nd annual celebration.
From 2009 to 2013 Madrid sat on the DeVry University Business Advisory Board. Madrid contributed his vision and industry expertise for the shaping of policy and programmatic elements for DeVry University’s College of Business & Management. Madrid’s leadership with DeVry correlates to his overall mission to increase access to education for all populations. Madrid served an impactful role with the University of Houston Community Advisory Board for the project, Science and Community: Ending Obesity Improving Health. The project’s goal is to address and eliminate health disparities in the African American and Hispanic/Latino communities. Madrid was responsible for guiding project timelines, analyzing data, developing and disseminating the proposal, and advising the Principal Investigator on critical aspects of the project.
On a personal front, Madrid is accredited as a Physical Fitness Specialist through the Cooper Institute. He placed in the top 20 for his age group in the 2010 Susan Komen Race for the Cure. In August 2011, Let the Fashions Begin, Inc., benefiting the Texas Children’s Hospital Sickle Cell Center and sickle cell patients, named Madrid as one of Houston’s Men of Style, which honors men in the Houston community who have shown a sense of fashion savvy and dedication to community service.
At the beginning and at the end of the day, Madrid’s career, community, and personal efforts leverage his trademarks of unbridled enthusiasm, fierce consistency, steel composure, explosive innovation, engraved integrity and contagious spirit.
His parents (Marcos and Maria), his sisters (Mary and Dianna), his brother-in-law Steve, and his niece Neely, reside in Abilene, Texas. Mark L. Madrid is best known for his passion and, most importantly, his compassion. Madrid’s favorite symbol is the LIGHTNING BOLT. Those who know Mark all agree that he represents this symbol extremely well.
