San Diego Metropolitan - 40 Under 40

Thoughts of his father guide Robert M. Villarreal in his role as the first executive director of the San Diego Hispanic County Chamber of Commerce.

“One of the reasons I took this position was because of my dad,” says 37-year-old Villarreal. Roberto Villarreal migrated from Mexico and worked nearly 30 years as manager of the Jack in the Box near the San Ysidro border. “He started two restaurants, but they didn’t make it. Maybe they would have if he had the support of an organization like the Hispanic Chamber,” says Villarreal, who has been working since June 26 for the 900-member chamber.

Villarreal’s 40 Under Forty nomination came from Harold Brown, associate dean of the Center for Community Economic Development at San Diego State University. “Robert not only possesses the intellectual capacity to be a great leader, he also possesses the commitment, skills and desire to help others," says Brown.

Before Villarreal joined the chamber staff, he worked three years as executive director of the Ocean Beach Community Development Corp. While he was there, the organization doubled its budget and assets. Villarreal’s accomplishments included completion of a transitional shelter for domestic violence victims. In addition, he served as City Heights CDC’s economic development director. At Bayview CDC, Villarreal rehabilitated homes for a housing program.

After completing undergraduate studies, Villarreal worked at the Employment Development Department in El Cajon, where he met his wife, Annabelle. She is an employment program manager at the Chula Vista office. Their son Gabriel is a third-grader at Olympic View Elementary School where Villarreal serves on the school site council.

He also is involved in the Chula Vista Economic Development Commission, SDSU Workforce partnership, San Ysidro Planning Board and Community Leaders Undoing Bias. He created curriculum to introduce at-risk youths to business fundamentals. Villarreal’s honors include a San Diego City Council commendation for the success of the Ocean Beach CDC. In 1999, he received the Outstanding Eureka Fellow Award.

As chamber executive director, Villarreal knows it’s never too late for business success. When Roberto Villarreal retired from Foodmaker, he proposed a new use for the bank parking lot next to Jack in the Box. Bank officials agreed to Villarreal’s plan for a paid lot during off-hours. Villarreal put $60,000 into the project. He hoped to recoup the money in three years — it took nine months. Son Robert assisted with the contract and helped run the lot.

“My dad is retired, but there are a lot of folks like Dad still out there,” says Villarreal. “If I can help other individuals, the chamber will be a success.”