The 2024 San Antonio

BUSINESS HALL OF FAME LAUREATES

The Barrios Family

Rick Cavender

Mark M. Johnson

Thursday, March 28, 2024

San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter Hotel

General Reception: 6:00 PM  |  Dinner and Awards Ceremony: 7:00 PM


Event Information


The San Antonio Business Hall of Fame annually recognizes the most esteemed local leaders whose business excellence, vision, innovation, integrity, and leadership have moved the San Antonio community in a better, stronger direction.


Junior Achievement of South Texas is proud to announce the 2024 Laureates:


The Barrios Family

Rick Cavender

Mark M. Johnson


Join us at this black-tie event as we pay tribute to our community’s most outstanding business leaders as they inspire the future business leaders of tomorrow.

For more information, contact Janie Cook at 210.490.2007 x112

The Eagle Award


Chosen for its determination and ability to rise above, the eagle signifies a lofty, boundless spirit of freedom.  As the eagle soars above the valley with its wings of protection, it demonstrates farsightedness, strength, and courage.


Sponsored by:


The 2024 Laureate's

IMPACT ON OUR BUSINESS COMMUNITY

The Barrios Family

For over 50 years, the Barrios family has been known for great food and hospitality served up in their restaurants. The family’s relationship with their customers is one that is built upon a foundation of service instilled in them by their parents, Jose and Viola. Long before they were in the restaurant business, Jose a local Spanish radio, newspaper, television professional, and Viola, a devoted mother and neighborhood leader, generously donated their time, talents, and treasure to many worthwhile causes. The spirit of giving back was deeply instilled in their three children: Teresa, Louis, and Diana, with the understanding that no amount of charity was too small.


In 1972, Jose purchased a small restaurant for Viola to fulfill a lifelong dream of hers. Three years later, Jose died tragically in an automobile accident. In 1979 after several business setbacks, Viola started Los Barrios Restaurant with $3,000 in downtown San Antonio. Since then, Los Barrios Restaurant has been featured on Good Morning America, The Today Show, the Food Network, and countless other broadcasts. In 2010, Diana was invited by President Barack Obama to cook for the Annual Congressional Picnic. She and the Los Barrios team produced 1,400 puffy tacos from the White House kitchen.


Now the Barrios family serves their community through their four restaurants and foundation, Viola’s Huge Heart Foundation. The foundation honors the legacy of love and giving instilled by their parents.


The family’s love for people shines through everything they do, whether visiting customers at their restaurants or working on many charitable events. Their large circle of friends know they do it because they care for their customers, neighbors, friends and colleagues because it’s the Barrios way.

Rick Cavender

Rick Cavender holds pivotal roles within the Cavender Auto Family, overseeing Audi Dominion and partnering in 17 dealerships spanning Texas and Oklahoma. Additionally, he's a partner at Cedar Park Toyota and City Limits Subaru, the country's largest Subaru store. By the close of 2022, the Cavender Auto Family ranked as the 39th largest Auto Group nationally, employing over 2,200 associates. His lineage traces back to the Cavender Oldsmobile Company in 1939, where he began his career after graduating from the University of Texas at Austin in 1980.


Beyond his automotive endeavors, Rick embodies a profound commitment to community service. He's held leadership positions in various organizations, including past presidencies and board chair roles for the Rotary Club of San Antonio and City Year San Antonio. His board memberships range from Mission Road Development and San Antonio Sports to the Lone Star Chapter for Cystic Fibrosis and the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.


Rick's contributions extend to the automotive industry, where he served as Chairman of the Texas Auto Dealers Association and the San Antonio Auto Dealers Association. His dedication to consumer rights led to his appointment as an elected member of the Texas Consumer Protection Advisory Council.


His philanthropic initiatives, including founding the Rotary Club of San Antonio's "Kingdom for Kids" program, exemplify his commitment to improving local communities. Rick's band, the Rick Cavender Band, renowned for performances at prominent events, has shared the stage with icons like George Strait and Willie Nelson. Moreover, Rick's musical talents extend to composing songs for various charitable causes.


Despite his bustling schedule, Rick finds time for family, cherishing a 42-year marriage to Suzanne and relishing his roles as a grandfather to three grandchildren.

Mark M. Johnson

Mark Johnson embarked on his career in 1968 at Texas Commerce Bank before joining National Bancshares Corporation of Texas, eventually becoming President, COO, and Director. Later, he served as President and Director at Texas Bancshares, also chairing its subsidiary, First National Bank of South Texas. In 2001, he joined Texas Capital Bank, progressing to roles as President (San Antonio Region), Chairman (San Antonio Region), and Vice Chairman (managing Texas markets).


In June 2023, he became Regional Chairman at Bank of Texas, overseeing Central Texas markets.  In addition, Mark continues his duties as Chairman of Juris Medicus, a national leading medical expert sourcing firm.


Hailing from San Antonio, Mark actively contributes to nonprofits, including roles as President at Alamo Area Council of Boy Scouts, Director at Alamo Foundation Board, Director of the United Way Foundation Board, and involvement with organizations like YMCA, Stock Show and Rodeo, August Heart Foundation, Christus Children’s Foundation, Opera San Antonio, and San Antonio Zoological Society. He's recognized for his leadership in the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, Texas Tech University Rawls College of Business Advisory Council, and numerous other boards.


Mark earned a B.B.A. in Finance/Banking from Texas Tech University and remains engaged with Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He and his beautiful wife Carolyn, whom he met at Texas Tech, are dedicated parents to Mark Jr. and Parker and proud grandparents to five grandchildren. Aside from his many civic engagements, Mark enjoys activities like golfing, pickleball, hunting, and cherishing family time.

San Antonio

BUSINESS HALL OF FAME


Thank You!

2024 SPONSORS

Junior Achievement would like to recognize the 2024 San Antonio Business Hall of Fame sponsors. Thank you for continuing to help prepare today’s students for a bright future.


PRESENTING SPONSOR



V.I.P. RECEPTION SPONSOR



PLATINUM SPONSOR


Mark M. Johnson


GOLD SPONSOR



SILVER SPONSOR



BRONZE SPONSORS


Edward Kelley


LEADERSHIP SPONSORS


Amegy Bank of Texas
Bank of America
Broadway Bank
C.H. Guenther & Son, Inc.
Cavender Auto Family
Charles M. Huey/John H. Tate
Koontz Corporation
Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc.
RSM US LLP
SFDFO
Texas Capital Bank

Junior Achievement of South Texas does not share or sell a donor's personal information with anyone else, nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations. If donors would like their gift to remain anonymous, they must state their wishes in writing upon receipt of gift.


Contact Us

Contact Us

Share by: