The Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has long served as a pipeline for talented Hispanic leaders in its community, and Mario Valdez is a testament to that tradition. Valdez has been named the 2025 Chairman of the Board for the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FWHCC). He brings a unique combination of personal perseverance, professional expertise, and community dedication to this leadership role.
Growing up in the rural village of La Encarnación in Zacatecas, Mexico, Mario relocated to California at the age of eight. As the first in his family to graduate from high school, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the College of Environmental Design at California Polytechnic State University, Pomona.
After an early career in California, Valdez moved to Texas in 2010 and joined Quorum, a Fort Worth-based architecture and interior design firm. Over the years, he has worked on diverse projects, including retail, municipal, senior living, and animal care design. A passion for animal care led him to design the veterinary clinic he co-founded with his wife, Cristina, a veterinarian, in 2016.
Mario has been deeply involved in community service and professional organizations, earning widespread recognition. “The chamber welcomed me immediately when I attended my first function 13 years ago,” he shared. “From that moment on, I’ve always felt welcomed and included in Fort Worth.” He was honored as the FWHCC Ambassador of the Year in 2014, named a 40 Under 40 professional by Fort Worth Business Press in 2018, and received the Young Professional Award from AIA Fort Worth in 2022. Most recently, he was recognized as an Emerging Latino Leader in FWHCC’s 50th Anniversary Publication and named an inaugural member of the Fort Worth Forum in 2024.
Valdez’s leadership roles include serving on several committees for the AIA Fort Worth including the Homes Tour, the “House for…” Exhibit and the Latinos in Architecture Committee, and as a Board Member for the YMCA Benbrook Branch. In the past, he has held various leadership positions within FWHCC, including Ambassador Chair, and served as a SteerFW Board Member and Volunteer/Membership Committee Co-Chair. These experiences will undoubtedly inform his role as Chair of the chamber.
Just as he was warmly welcomed in Fort Worth, Valdez and the board aim to extend that same hospitality to others who are new to the community, the chamber, or business leadership. Valdez’s commitment to fostering opportunities for Hispanic leaders and small businesses through FWHCC programs, such as the Business Pitch Competition and MWBE certification support, underscores his dedication to the chamber’s mission. He emphasized, “The business assistance we provide to small businesses and first-time entrepreneurs, many of whom face language barriers, resonates deeply with me.”
Looking ahead, Valdez is optimistic about FWHCC’s future. “Thanks to the progress achieved under our outgoing President and CEO, Anette Landeros, and the unwavering support of our board and community leaders, I am confident we will have another record-breaking year in 2025 as we remain relevant and vibrant in the community,” he stated. His leadership, coupled with a forward-thinking team, positions the chamber for continued success in fostering economic growth and empowering Hispanic leaders.
While Anette Landeros is irreplaceable, Valdez is confident in the prospects of finding an inspiring leader to guide the chamber into its next chapter. “Our only challenge will be selecting just one from the wealth of talented applicants, each of whom would bring visionary skills to lead our chamber,” Valdez said.
Valdez and the board also recognize the importance of honoring the many successes, programs, and initiatives made possible by the continued support and partnership of their members, corporate sponsors, and civic leaders. He expressed deep gratitude for the support the chamber continues to receive from past leaders, which includes past chairs Ish Arebalos, Gloria Starling, Michael Dimas, Alex Gimenez, Carlos de la Torre, Abel Sanchez, Larry Anfin, Sandra McGlothlin among others, and past Presidents and CEOs John Hernandez, Rosa Navejar, and, of course, Anette Landeros. “Together, we are shaping the future of Fort Worth, and I am confident that the best is yet to come,” Valdez stated.
