GALLEGOS TAKES OVER REINS OF CHAMBER

Enrique Gallegos officially assumed the role of Chairman of the Board for the Laredo Chamber of Commerce during the month of October of this year.  At a luncheon held on Thursday, October 25, outgoing Chairman Jose ‘Pepe’ Zuñiga symbolically handed over stewardship of the Chamber to Gallegos by handing over the gavel.  The Chamber Chairman of the Board is the elected volunteer official who presides as head of the Board of Directors for a one-year term.

Earlier in the program, outgoing Chairman Zuñiga delivered a brief “state of the Chamber” report outlining highlights of his term and presented awards to volunteers who assisted him in putting forth his program of work.

Gallegos, in turn, after receiving the gavel, first acknowledged Zuñiga’s work and dedication, and then followed by thanking his employer, Laredo Medical Center, for its support and civic involvement.  He then took a few minutes to express his gratitude to the membership for placing their trust in him as head of Laredo’s largest and longest running business organization.  He was emphatic in acknowledging the level of responsibility that the title carries as voice for the business community.

Supporting Gallegos during his term will be Parker Neel (Neel Title Co.) Chairman Elect; Cliffe Killam (Killam Development), Treasurer; Greg Morgensen (Family Chevrolet/Nissan), Gabriel Castillo (IBC), Juan Arroyo (L&F Distributors), Mike Marasco (McDonald’s Restaurants) and Gonzalo Prida (Prida Consorcio Aduanal) Council Chairs; Jose ‘Pepe’ Zuñiga (Falcon International Bank), past Chairman; and Miguel Conchas, President/CEO. 

As his first official action, Gallegos jokingly called for adjournment of the session.

Enrique Gallegos has served as Chief Executive Officer of Laredo Medical Center since September 2014.  Prior to his appointment at LMC, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Sierra Medical Center in El Paso, Texas. While there, Gallegos led efforts to achieve stroke center accreditation from The Joint Commission, initiated a Pulmonary Center of Excellence, expanded cardiac rehabilitation services and grew outpatient services into surrounding communities. He oversaw several capital investments, including the construction of an interventional neuroradiology suite and hybrid operating room.

Gallegos started his career in San Antonio where he was Assistant Administrator and Chief Compliance Officer for the Christus Santa Rosa Health System, a five-hospital system which was twice recognized as a HealthGrades Top 50 Hospital for Clinical Excellence during his tenure. A native of Brownsville, Texas, Gallegos received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from St. Edward’s University in Austin and a master’s in Health Care Administration from Trinity University in San Antonio.

In addition to his work in healthcare, he has been involved in several community and professional activities during his career. He is Board Certified in Healthcare Management having earned the Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) credential. He is also an inaugural member of the Texas Hospital Association Leadership Fellows Program.  Aside from his recent appointment as Chairman of the Board for the Laredo Chamber of Commerce, Gallegos is also a board member of Casa Misericordia, and member-treasurer of the Laredo College Education Foundation.