The Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) has announced that its first Executive Director, Jerry Apodaca, died on April 26, 2023. Apodaca served in this role from the organization’s founding in 1986 until 1992. 

Prior to this, he was the Governor of New Mexico from 1975 until 1979 and served in the state’s Senate from 1966 until 1974. Apodaca was the first Hispanic governor of New Mexico since 1918. 

“HACR has lost a pioneering leader, who made an enormous impact on the lives of generations of Hispanic people through his dedication to the cause of greater inclusion of Hispanics in Corporate America,” said Cid Wilson, the President and CEO of HACR.

“He was a true statesman who helped craft an organization that would withstand the test of time and increase in size and influence. The processes and policies he put into place have been a major factor in that success,” he continued. 

HACR’s mission is to “advance the inclusion of Hispanics in Corporate America at a level commensurate with our economic contributions.” 

HACR got its start because of a deal with the Coors Brewing Company — then the Adolph Coors Company — to increase Hispanic inclusion in the company’s procurement and employment practices. 

In 1986, Coors gave the activation and seed funding that was used to create HACR. Apodaca, as the executive director, and the founding coalition member organizations created HACR’s mission and organizational structure that has influenced corporations to practice better inclusion of Hispanic people across the board.

“The gravitas Apodaca brought as a former governor of a western state and his leadership during the early years of HACR was a significant reason for the organization’s growth and corporate influence that continues to this day,” said the organization’s statement on Apodaca’s passing. 

“We’re deeply saddened by the loss of our founding Executive Director. Jerry understood on a deep level why it is important for Hispanic businesses, our Hispanic executive workforce, and our fast-growing consumer economic base to have a vibrant Latino community at all decision-making tables across America,” said Ramiro Cavazos, President of HACR’s Board of Director and President & CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC).

Apodaca remained involved with the organization after his time as Executive Director was over. In 2016, he was honored at HACR’s 30th anniversary celebration.