CONTACT:
Andrés Martínez
Director of Policy and Communications
Mobile: (512) 665-1499
andres@conexionamericas.org
CONEXIÓN AMÉRICAS CO-FOUNDER & FINANCE DIRECTOR JOSÉ GONZÁLEZ STEPPING DOWN
Nashville, TN – Conexión Américas Co-Founder and long-time Finance Director José González announced Wednesday his plans to step down after 20 years of serving the organization. González’s vision and financial management aptitude helped launch Conexión Américas in 2002—then a startup with just three employees—and helped guide it to become one of Nashville’s most respected nonprofits.
“Over the past 20 years, José has shown an unmatched dedication to Conexión Américas. His entrepreneurial drive was an essential component which helped make the dream of this organization a reality,” said Tina Garcia, Conexión Américas’ board president. “We are grateful for his contributions to Conexión Américas, Nashville and Middle Tennessee’s Latino community.”
In the early days of Conexión Américas, González was instrumental in launching several of the organization’s marquee economic prosperity programs: homeownership, financial literacy and microenterprise development. José played a significant role in bringing to life the vision of Casa Azafrán, the non-profit collaborative community center at the gateway to Nashville’s International District that is home to Conexión Américas and nine non-profit partners. González points to Mesa Komal, the culinary incubator that serves food entrepreneurs and operates in Casa Azafrán, as one of his most fun contributions. Beyond his role as finance director, González has served as a mentor and thought partner to many staff colleagues and program participants over the years.
“It has been my utmost privilege to work alongside my past and present colleagues. The past 20 years have been extraordinarily rewarding. I’m beyond thankful that I have been given the chance to participate in this incredible personal and professional journey,” González said. “I look forward to continuing to be Conexión Américas’ biggest ambassador and cheerleader.”
After the departure of fellow Co-Founder and Executive Director Renata Soto in 2019, González vowed to stay on board to support the organization as it navigated its first leadership transition. Endeavoring to make sure Conexión Américas stayed true to its beginnings, González continued to serve as finance director for three more years. Now, with long-time Conexión Américas team members Martha Silva and Tara Lentz co-leading the organization, González feels it is the right time to step away.
In sharing the news with the staff, González said, “I had pledged to stay involved with my beloved Conexión Américas until the leadership structure was sound after Renata’s departure, and until I felt we had reached robust financial stability. Co-Executive Directors Tara and Martha are the right leaders to take Conexión Américas into its third decade alongside the rest of the senior leadership team, which is composed of remarkably committed and professional colleagues. I have no doubt they will all continue to move Conexión Américas forward exemplarily. As we approach the 20th anniversary, we are well positioned to deepen our work and impact within the Latinx community across Middle Tennessee.”
González will continue to focus on his role as an entrepreneurship professor at Belmont University. His legacy at Conexión Américas emanates from embedding an entrepreneurial spirit into the fabric of the organization. Accordingly, he seeks to continue blending his penchant for entrepreneurship and love of service to the Latinx community. As sizable projects and investments begin to change the landscape of Nashville’s international corridor, González hopes to play a role in generating ideas and creating solutions to preserve the cultural vibrancy of the international community that lives and works along Nolensville Pike.
“We each have worked with José for over a decade, and have seen firsthand the dedication he brought to the office every day. Under José, Conexión Américas has benefited from outstanding financial management, vision and leadership,” said Tara Lentz and Martha Silva, co-executive directors of Conexión Américas. “We will miss him as a colleague, but know he will continue to serve our organization and community in any way he can.”
##
Conexión Américas is a Nashville-based nonprofit organization established in 2002. Its mission is to build a welcoming community and create opportunities where Latino families can belong, contribute and succeed. Every year, Conexión Américas assists more than 9,000 individuals and their families in their desire to start businesses, buy homes, improve their English, help their children succeed in school and go to college, and become an integral part of Nashville’s social, cultural and economic vitality. Conexión Américas is the lead partner of Casa Azafrán, a nonprofit collaborative at the gateway to Nashville’s International District that is home to Conexión Américas and nine partners. To learn more, visit www.conexionamericas.org