Pub. 56 2015-2016 Issue 2

22 Ernesto and Robin Ancira A Lifetime of Service and Achievement R obin andErnestoAncira are two of the reasons SanAntonio, Texas has become one of America’s premier cities. A dealer since 1972, Ernesto has spent over 40 years building an exemplary dealer organization and a great city. Robin Ancira has been an equal partner in that accomplishment. As with any Texas dealer family it takes both partners and the family to be successful as a franchised dealer and a community servant. The North San Antonio Chamber of Commerce certainly recognized the con- tribution of this couple to the success of their city by recently awarding Robin and Ernesto the Chamber’s ultimate honor, The Governor Dolph Brisco, Jr. Salute to Excellence Award. Recognized for their outstanding leadership in the au- tomotive sector, community support for higher education and medical and health related agencies and their contribution to economic development, Robin and Ernesto received the award at a luncheon featuring friends, fellow dealers and San Antonio’s leading dignitaries. State Representative Lyle Larson, a close friend of the Ancira’s, served as Master of Ceremonies. Speakers included Senator JudithZaffirini; Dr. Rich- ard Romo, the President of The University of Texas at San Antonio; and Robin and Ernesto’s daughter April, Vice President of Ancira Enterprises. TADA also had an opportunity to com- ment on the influence of Ernesto and Robin Ancira on the industry and the association. The following are TADA’s comments: Ernesto Ancira has been an essential in- dustry leader for over 20 years through our state association, just as he has been for so many institutions and organizations in San Antonio, first as a TADA board member, a Vice-Chairman of the state association, then as Chairman of the Board. His tenure on our board has spanned 18 years during which time he oversaw a re-organization of the culture of TADA and the building of a nine-story dealer headquarters one block from the capitol in Austin. An early memory of Robin and Ernesto was at a boardmeeting that we had in Cali- fornia some years ago. They brought their daughters, April and Ashley, who were in their teens, which just exemplifies the true nature of car dealers, which is family first. Little did we realize at that time that April would grow up to be a dealer and follow her father on the TADA Board of Directors and now the Executive Committee. Robin has been such an important part of the Ancira dealership group and a strong influence on our association. She is a remarkable woman whose grace and strength has inspired the family to even greater heights, and exemplifies all that is good about dealership families and their contribution to society. Ernesto and Robin have not only estab- lished an organization that has provided thousands of jobs in SanAntonio and trans- portation to as many Texans as any dealer group in the state, but they have volunteered as community leaders for everything from schools, hospitals, and charities, to sports and economic development. One of the most important contribu- tions they have made is to be visible in the community. Three generations of the family have been in Ancira commercials; Ernesto, Robin, April as well as grandchil- dren Gunnar and Hope. They have also personally performed community projects. San Antonio knows the family as real people…caring, generous and committed

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTM0Njg2