Latino Business Speakers Bureau: Al Zapanta
written by: david gomez
In Stephen Hawking’s book, On the Shoulders of Giants, 2002, Hawking elaborates on the contributions of great scientists throughout history. He shares how those men contributed to the art sciences. They were trail blazers. My conversation with General Zapanta had a similar effect on me. Speaking with a CEO is always interesting, but General Zapanta’s story had a special weight and wisdom. He is the CEO of the Mexico and US Chamber of Commerce and his accomplishments have paved the way for other Latinos in leadership positions. However, he himself has followed the steps of other Latinos who led the way for him. General Zapanta credits his father and grandmother for his work ethic. His dad was the first Mexican American to earn a full football scholarship at the University of Southern California. His grandmother was self-sufficient and taught him to “earn” things rather than wait for things to be handed down. Their influences cemented a clear vision and a message of what General Zapanta shares with new Latino leaders: Earn it, work on it, and help others move forward.
General Zapanta believes Latino leaders have a great responsibility to new generations of emerging Latinos in leadership. He believes that earning our place comes with a duty to open the door to others who are themselves starting in their journey of success. Just as he was inspired by his father and grandmother, he wants to inspire Latinos to take on the role of leadership so they themselves can inspire others. His leadership lessons were hard earned as some of those lessons came while under fire in the line of battle. His decorated military career taught him duty and integrity, to do what is right and what he was trained to do. Having the lives of his men under his command prompted in him a sense of responsibility and self-growth. He knew that he had to be the most prepared man on the field to ensure that his men had the best support and so that they could come back home.
After his decorated military career, General Zapanta held several leadership positions for oil companies and held many presidential appointments including U.S. State Department Advisory Committee on International Trade Technology and Development. His military accolades include a Silver Star, five Bronze Stars of Valor, and a purple heart. General Zapanta’s story is fascinating and a great inspiration to leaders to press forward and to help equip others to succeed in their own journey.