September 27, 2012

The North American Chilean Chamber of Commerce honored: Roberto De Andraca, Agustin Huneeus and David Spencer

HONOREE: Roberto de Andraca
Distinguished Corporate Leader of the Year

Roberto de Andraca - Was born in Santiago, Chile, on July 30th. 1934, he studied at Saint George's School and at the Naval School of Chile; subsequently he entered the University of Chile, where in 1960 obtained his degree of Business Engineer.

His professional activities have been totally carried out in CAP S.A.

He is Chairman of the Board of CAP S.A. since April 1990.

Mr. de Andraca was distinguished in 1993, with the Order of Orange Nassau, bestowed by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, and in 1995 by Emperor Akihito with the Gold and Silver Star of the Order of the Sacred Treasure of Japan.

Awarded by the University of Chile, with the distinction "Outstanding Graduated Student" because of his contribution to the development of our country (November 2003).

Awarded by the University of Chile, Economy and Business School, with the distinction "Graduated Students Honor Circle" because of his outstanding professional work in the Chilean economy and business sector (May 2006).

Awarded by the Chilean School of Engineers with the National Award, year 2008 (October 2008).
HONOREE: Agustin Huneeus
Chilean Entrepreneur of the Year
 
Agustin Huneeus - Born in Santiago, Chile, Agustin began his career there and is one of the few vintners who has dedicated his entire professional life to the wine industry. He entered the wine business in 1960 as chief executive officer of Concha y Toro. Then a small winery, Concha y Toro grew to become Chile's largest winery under Agustin's leadership. In 1971, Chile's difficult political climate led Agustin to leave his home country. He moved to New York and subsequently headed Seagram's worldwide wine operations. His responsibilities included 14 wineries in nine countries, including Paul Masson in the United States. Upon leaving Seagram, he founded Noble Vineyard in 1977 and later acquired Concannon Vineyard, a premium winery in the Livermore Valley, California.

Agustin became partner and acting president of Franciscan Estates in 1985. Under his leadership, he developed numerous brands and wineries and turned the ailing company into a successful group of premium wine estates, which included Franciscan, Estancia, Mount Veeder and the Veramonte
Winery in Chile, which he created. In 1999, Agustin sold his interest in Franciscan Estates and created Huneeus Vintners, a company dedicated to fine wine properties, that today includes Quintessa, Faust and The Prisoner in Napa, Flowers Vineyard & Winery on the Sonoma Coast, along with Ritual, Primus, Veramonte and Neyen wineries in Chile. Today, Agustin considers himself "liberated" as his son Agustin Francisco runs the family wine business.

While active in the wine business as an entrepreneur, Agustin played an important role in industry affairs. He has had directorial positions in the Chilean Wine Exporters Association, The California Wine Institute, The Napa Vintners Association, and many other industry organizations.

In 1996 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award of the Year by the Wine Spectator Magazine.

Since his liberation, Agustin has dedicated his attention and efforts to endeavors that satisfy his more humanistic interests. He sits on the Advisory Board of the Center for Latin American Studies at U.C. Berkeley, Friends of the Catholic University of Chile, and is the Chairman of the Chile-California Council.

In 2008, the President of Chile awarded Agustin Chile's highest civilian honor: the "Servicios Meritorios a la Republica", medal. He is an accomplished and enthusiastic aviator and cellist and is married to Valeria Quesney Huneeus. They have 17 descendants.
HONOREE: David Spencer
Honorary Chilean of the Year

David Spencer - Is an attorney in New York, specializing in taxation and banking, and is Senior Advisor to the Tax Justice Network. He is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School, and has a Masters of Law Degree in Taxation from the New York University Law School Tax Program. Before establishing his own law firm, Mr. Spencer practiced law at a major Wall Street law firm and at Citicorp/Citibank. He has also practiced law for briefer periods in Santiago, Chile, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Brazil, and Paris. David has authored seventy-five professional articles on international taxation and banking/finance, published in the Journal of International Taxation (New York) and International Financial Law Review (London). He is a member of the Board of Advisers of both those journals. David has also published articles in International Tax Review (London).

David has had a wide variety of experiences in Chile and with Chile: first, as an exchange student, subsequently as a researcher on Chilean politics. Then he was active in international youth and student politics as Latin American Advisor of the U.S. National Student Association, and he worked with Chilean youth and student leaders some of whom have become national political leaders in Chile. He authored a book, "Student Politics in Latin America," which was used as a course book in many U.S. universities. His next experience in Chile was practicing law in Santiago in a Chilean law firm. Then he worked on Chilean financial issues at a major U.S. bank, and subsequently has been practicing law in New York on legal matters related to Chile. Also, he has been working on some tax justice issues.

David has been a director of the North American - Chilean Chamber of Commerce for twenty two years, and was President of the Chamber 1999-2007.