David Cortez – 7/3/10
David Cortez is a second generation restaurateur and a leader of the Texas foodservice industry. He was born in San Antonio, Texas on April 22, 1945 to Pete and Cruz Cortez. Having grown up in the restaurant business—David Cortez has been part of the growth of the well-known Cortez Family of Restaurants which consist of La Margarita Restaurant & Oyster Bar, Mi Tierra Café y Panaderia and the Restaurante Pico de Gallo. This past year, the Cortez family partnered with another Family Icon—the Rosemary Kowalski Family in a partnership called Dos Cocinas which has partnered with Institutional feeder Sodexho in foodservice at USAA.
Raised in the Prospect Hill neighborhood in the West side of San Antonio—an area which produced many Hispanic Community Leaders such as former mayor Henry Cisneros, artist Jesse Trevino, former city manager Briseno, Auto dealer Charles Barrett—David attended Central Catholic High School and received his BBA from St. Mary’s University in 1968.
David started at the age of 10 years working at his father’s small café and has worked in every aspect of the business—from purchasing, production, marketing and service. He has been an essential part in establishing the foundation to a restaurant dynasty that is focused on preservation and promotion of the Hispanic Culture of San Antonio.
David Cortez was appointed to the Board of the San Antonio Restaurant Association in 1972 and in 1981 became the first Hispanic President of the San Antonio Restaurant.
In 1982 he was appointed to the Board of the Texas Restaurant Association—and served on numerous committees including as Chairman of the Texas Restaurant Association-Political Action Committee. In 1994, David Cortez became the first Hispanic President of the Texas Restaurant Association. During his tenure as President the restaurant association established the Texas Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and began dialogue with Mexico’s National Chamber of Restaurants (Canirac). He addressed the Mexican Board several times, including once with Presidential Candidate Ernesto Zedillo.
In 1995, he was appointed to the board of the National Restaurant Association representing the State of Texas, where he now serves as a member emeriti.
David Cortez has active in the community as a past member of the Rotary Club of San Antonio, former Board Member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, different association, committees and commissions such as board member of the Arthritis Foundation-South Central Board, a member of the Convention Center Expansion Committee, founder and board member of the San Antonio International Affairs Foundation, past commissioner of the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau, past board member of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, Market Square Commission, the Downtown Housing Committee Board, Appointed by the Governor to The Texas Healthcare Information Council and numerous other community organizations.
David Cortez has been awarded numerous awards: in 1991 he was presented with the San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau Commission’s Tourism Award (first individual to receive award) and the Business Success Award by the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In 1996 he was inducted into the Texas Restaurant Association Hall of Honor.
In 1998 he received the Philanthropy Award by the Philanthropy in Texas Magazine. In 2004 he received San Antonio Business Hall of Fame Award from Junior Achievement and the Henry Guerra Recognition Award from the San Antonio Hispanic Journalist Association.
In 2005, he was recipient of the Humanitarian Award presented by National Conference for Community & Justice.
Hosts,
Bjorn Dybdahl of Bjorn's
John Thurman of Heart of Texas Realty
Scott Woolfolk of Documation
Sponsors
