The Inter-American Economic Council ["Council"] honored Gustavo Cisneros, Chairman & CEO of the Cisneros Group of Companies, with the Council's 2004 Excellence in Leadership Award on January 29, 2004 at a special and intimate black-tie affair held at Washington, DC's Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium. Joined by his wife, Mrs. Patricia Phelps de Cisneros, close friends and associates, Mr. Gustavo Cisneros humbly accepted the award presented by His Excellency Javier Ruperez, Ambassador of Spain to the United States. "When Patty and I received the news of this award, we felt blessed, as the Council's decision was based upon the progress we have made in creating, developing and expanding the Fundacion Cisneros' programs in education," said Cisneros.

Amongst those joining the Council to honor Mr. Cisneros were H.E. Miguel Angel Rodriguez (Former President of Costa Rica), H.E. Roberto Danino (General Counsel of the World Bank), H.E. Ivonne Baki (Minister of Commerce of Ecuador), Ambassador Jeane Kirkpatrick (Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations), Mr. Thomas "Mack" McLarty (Kissinger McLarty Associates), and Ambassador Peter Romero (Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemispheric Affairs). The Honorable Dr. Henry Kissinger served as Honorary Gala Chairman and Mr. Raul Herrera (Head of Latin American Practice for Winston & Strawn LLP) served as Host Committee Chairman.


Please click below to view pictures of the event and a copy of Mr. Cisneros' acceptance speech.


PICTURES OF THE 2004 WINTER AWARD GALA


ACCEPTANCE SPEECH BY GUSTAVO CISNEROS