Juan Hernandez -  Former Guest Speaker at the Leadership Institute

Juan Hernandez was born in Fort Worth, Texas, from a long line of Texans from Fort Worth, Burleson and Alvarado. His Mother, Mary Clay Senter went to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, to study Spanish and Art, and fell in love and married a Mexican law student, Francisco Hernandez. Together they created a Mexican American family dividing their time between Guanajuato and Fort Worth.

Juan completed his B.A. at the age of 19 at Lawrence University and his Doctorate at 25 at Texas Christian University (being one of the youngest graduates in the history of both institutions). After teaching at various universities and consulting for international corporations, Juan founded a Research Center at the University of Texas at Dallas and advised the UT Chancellor on programs for all UT universities in the Texas system.

In 1996, Hernandez, who had never participated in politics, invited Vicente Fox (then Governor of the state of Guanajuato) to speak at UT and meet George W. Bush (then Governor of Texas). This historic meeting marked U.S.-Mexico relations and Juan’s life. After the Fox visit, Juan began receiving calls from people he had never met: Condoleezza Rice, Karl Rove and Felipe Calderon. When Fox and Bush decided to run for presidents of their countries, both sought advice from Juan. Fox invited him to be his “gatekeeper” and close confidant. Bush’s campaign sought his advice on gaining the Hispanic vote. Juan brought advisers to Fox such as Dick Morris and Rob Allyn, taking Fox to victory over a party which had been in power for 71 years. Juan helped Bush turnout Hispanic votes in historic proportions. After the Fox and Bush victories, Juan created US-Mexico programs benefiting small business on both sides of the border, became the closest link between president Fox and President Bush and one of the most effective promoters of the US-Mexico Partnership for Prosperity. Juan continues today close to the Fox and Bush families.

Juan Hernandez has been featured on the cover of Fortune Magazine as one of the “smartest people we know,” named “Humanitarian of the Year” by Latin Trade Magazine, one of the “100 Most Influential Hispanics” by Hispanic Business Magazine, among many other notable mentions. He has received over 100 awards and recognitions and is a frequent guest on Fox News, CNN and Univision.

Juan continues advising international corporations and presidential hopefuls including Felipe Calderon (Mexico) in 2006, John McCain (US) in 2008, Juan Gutierrez (Guatemala) in 2011. He has written and edited eight books on politics and poetry. Today he lives in Fort Worth, Texas, with his wife Estela and children, Estela Raquel, John, Laura and Mariana.

Juan Hernandez