Vision

Preserving a technologically strong America by promoting science, technology, engineering and math careers, especially in underrepresented communities.

• To educate, motivate and enable more students to achieve careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)
• To engage families, educators and employers to support students in STEM careers
• To inspire our nation through recognition of the achievements of Hispanics in STEM
• To develop and leverage Hispanic STEM talent to play a leadership role
• To lead collaboration and cooperation within the STEM community

HENAAC was established in 1989 as a means of identifying, honoring, and documenting the contributions of outstanding Hispanic American science, engineering, technology and math professionals. Corporations, government agencies, academic institutions, the military, and the business community-at-large have submitted thousands of nominees over the last 19 years for this very prestigious recognition.

The HENAAC acronym stood for the Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Awards Conference. This important conference set the precedent for excellence in engineering and science and was run out of Baltimore, Maryland under Career Communications Group.

In 1996 HENAAC became a 501(c) 3 educational programs non-profit organization, under the leadership of the founder and current Chairman, Ray Mellado. This new classification allowed HENAAC to develop additional educational programs beyond the conference.  In 2000, HENAAC introduced the College Bowl, an innovative, competitive two-day workshop for college students preparing to enter engineering careers.   In 2001, HENAAC launched Viva Technology, our K-12 educational program designed to introduce pre-college students to the exciting careers in science, engineering and technology.  This same year, our organization launched its Scholars program, providing scholarships to college students pursuing engineering and science careers.  Since then, HENAAC has awarded over $919,000 in scholarships to college students from across the country.  In addition to these programs HENAAC puts on a yearly National Career Conference and Awards Show, provides Travel grants to college students, conducts Research and has a Hispanic Hall of Fame exhibit.

The HENAAC Board of Directors voted in 2005 to drop the use of the acronym and changed the official name and tag line to “HENAAC, Promoting Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math”

Assisting HENAAC to expand its mission to encompass a wider scope of services are the distinguished members of its board of directors and executive committees, many of whom are captains of industry and recognized authorities in their field. Over the last decade HENAAC has intensified its focus on researching, developing and implementing successful and nationally acclaimed technology-related educational programs. The effectiveness of HENAAC programs has helped forge long-lasting partnerships with world-renown universities, with national and international corporations and government agencies.

 

Quick HENAAC Facts

-          A presence in over 40 states through HENAAC STEM programs, scholarships, travel grants, award winners, and outreach

-          19 National HENAAC Conferences and Award Shows with a combined total of over 35,500 professional and student participants active in STEM

-          Pre-College program initiated in 1990 that has grown into the HENAAC Viva Technology Program which has directly impacted over 27,000 students, teachers, and families, since 2001

-          The Viva Technology Program has been implemented in 13 states since 2001.

-          Establishment of HENAAC’s Scholars Program in 2000 and have distributed more than $919,000 in educational grants to over 470 STEM students and over $810,000 in travel grants to thousands of STEM students.

-          Engagement of students from 90 colleges and universities in various HENAAC programs and events

-          Recognition of 546 Hispanic Professionals, executives and student leaders with a prestigious HENAAC award

-          Instituted the annual HENAAC College Bowl in 2000 in  which over 2,800 STEM college students and professionals have competed

-          Researched and distributed the Hispanic engineering enrollment in 352 universities across the country in 2005 & 2007

-          Created the HENAAC website, which has been visited by over 38 million users since 2001

-          Published reports such as The Fork in the Road and the 2006 and 2007 HENAAC Executive Leaders’ Roundtable White Papers on the Complexity of Alignment

Ray Mellado Chair & CEO HENAAC View Profile	Robert Amezcua Vice Chair IBM VP Power Systems - Transition & Stack View Profile
Michael Garcia, Esq. Treasurer City of Glendale Chief Assistant City Attorney View Profile	Maria Ruess Chair - E.A.C. Lockheed Martin Business Developemnt Maritime Systems & Sensors (MS2) View Profile
Doreen Mercado, Esq. Secretary Attorney at Law Senior Partner View Profile	Dan Arvizu Ph.D. Board Member U.S Department of Energy Director, National Renewable Energy Laboratory View Profile
Hon. Victoria Castro Board Member Los Angeles Board of Education Former School Board Member View Profile	Roberto E. Duffy Board Member The Boeing Company Chief Engineer, Space Products View Profile
Charles Marrero BOD Member HENAAC View Profile	Rudy Montiel, P.E. Board Member Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles Executive Director View Profile
Anna Park, JD Non Voting Member HENAAC Chief Operating Officer View Profile	Ralph Rosato, Esq. Special Advisor County of Los Angeles Senior Deputy Attorney View Profile
Monica Villafana, Esq Non Voting Member HENAAC Director of Education Programs View Profile