Iberdrola-Avangrid and Alejandro Pardiñas to Receive the Ponce de León Awards From the Spain-US Chamber of Commerce on Its 44th Anniversary

MIAMI, November 4, 2024 (Newswire.com) - The Spain-US Chamber of Commerce in Florida is proud to announce that the recipients of the 2024 Ponce de León Awards for "Company of the Year" are Iberdrola and its U.S. subsidiary Avangrid and the "Executive of the Year" is Alejandro Pardiñas, CEO of ABS, recognizing their exceptional contributions to energy innovation and industrial leadership.

In acknowledgment of their visionary approach, strong U.S. brand presence, and long-standing achievements, these recognitions will be presented at the Chamber’s 44th Anniversary Gala on Nov. 21, 2024, at the Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Miami.

This event will gather business leaders and companies from the U.S., Latin America, and Spain, providing an exceptional platform for networking, investment promotion, and reinforcing economic and cultural ties. Attendees will include corporate leaders, executives, journalists, and renowned design celebrities.

Mónica Vázquez, President of the Spain-US Chamber in Florida, emphasized the importance of this year’s honorees. “It is a special occasion for us to honor Iberdrola and Avangrid, global leaders united by a common mission to advance energy innovation and sustainability on a global scale. Additionally, we are proud to recognize Alejandro Pardiñas for his leadership in engineering, industrial growth, and his philosophy of hard work.”

Company of the Year: Iberdrola-Avangrid

In this edition of the Ponce de León Awards, the Company of the Year award goes to Iberdrola and its U.S. subsidiary Avangrid. The group is committed to advancing the clean energy transition, setting new benchmarks in sustainability and innovation. Iberdrola operates globally with 42,000 employees and close to $170 billion in assets, supporting 500,000 jobs through its supply chain and annual purchases of $21 billion. Avangrid, with around $50 billion in assets and operations across 24 U.S. states, strives to be the leading sustainable energy company in the U.S. and was named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the sixth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute in 2024.

Ignacio Galan, Iberdrola’s executive Chairman and Chairman of Avangrid, said, “We are very proud of this recognition. For more than two decades, Iberdrola has been implementing — in the U.S. and around the world — a secure, competitive and sustainable energy model based on electrification. Our investments in renewables, networks and storage have led to total assets of around $50 billion in the U.S. This is delivering value for shareholders, employees, suppliers and the communities we serve through more activity, industry and jobs, cutting-edge innovation and lower emissions. As we enter the age of electricity, the U.S. will consolidate itself as a key growth area for Iberdrola, with investments of up to $30 billion to 2030 to increase interconnections across states, introduce 21st-century AI and digital-grid technologies for the 10 million Americans we serve and build some of the U.S.'s first large-scale offshore wind farms. Our commitment to the American people is stronger than ever.”

Iberdrola and Avangrid’s efforts have positioned them as industry leaders, with Iberdrola boasting over 32,000 MW of renewable energy capacity worldwide and Avangrid recognized as one of the cleanest electric utilities in the U.S.

Executive of the Year: Alejandro Pardiñas

The Ponce de León Executive of the Year Award will be presented to Alejandro Pardiñas, co-founder and CEO of Atlantic Bearing Services (ABS), whose leadership has driven the company since its founding nearly 25 years ago, transforming it into one of the fastest-growing startups in the U.S. Guided by Pardiñas’ vision and entrepreneurial spirit, ABS has become a global leader in engineering solutions for heavy industry and the renewable energy sector, with operations in 15 countries.

Under his direction, ABS has expanded its portfolio with successful brands such as MGS Gears, ACB Custom Bearings, AEC Engineering Chains, and ABS Wind, a division specializing in services for the wind industry that has become a global reference in repair and maintenance for major turbine manufacturers and wind farm operators.

However, Pardiñas’ commitment goes beyond his role at ABS. As a board member of the American Bearing Manufacturers Association (ABMA), he actively works to develop and promote the North American industry, strengthening its competitiveness and leadership. Additionally, his position on the National Industrial Advisory Board of the College of Engineering and Computing at Florida International University (FIU) reinforces his commitment to educational excellence and the development of the next generation of engineering talent.

Reflecting on the award, Pardiñas commented, “For an American entrepreneur, born in Cuba, who maintains strong personal and business ties with Spain and whose business extends and creates value across various Ibero-American countries, receiving this recognition from the Spain-U.S. Chamber of Commerce as a testament to my professional journey is both an honor and a source of deep pride. I share this achievement with my Spanish partners at Royse, the Ortega family, who believed in this venture, and with all members of the ABS and ABS Wind teams.”

SPAIN-US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Spain-US Chamber of Commerce, one of the leading binational chambers of commerce in the United States, continues to play a vital role in fostering business relationships between Spain and the U.S. With over 540 members, the Chamber offers indispensable support to companies looking to expand and succeed in the U.S. market. The annual gala provides a platform to celebrate these successes while offering opportunities for networking and collaboration among business leaders from the U.S., Spain, and Latin America.

IBERDROLA

Iberdrola is one of the world’s largest energy companies and a leader in renewable energy, spearheading the transition to a low-carbon economy. The group supplies energy to almost 100 million people in dozens of countries. Iberdrola focuses on renewable energy, smart networks, and smart solutions for customers, with key markets including Europe (Spain, the United Kingdom, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy, and Greece), the United States, Brazil, Mexico, and Australia. With nearly 40,000 employees and assets in excess of €141.7 billion, Iberdrola has been a benchmark in the fight against climate change, investing over €130 billion over the past two decades to build a sustainable energy model based on sound environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.

AVANGRID

Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT, with approximately $50 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, Avangrid has two primary lines of business: networks and renewables. Through its networks business, Avangrid owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Through its renewables business, Avangrid owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. Avangrid has been recognized for its ESG+F framework and commitment to sustainability, having been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute for six consecutive years.

About ABS, Atlantic Bearing Services 

ABS is a global engineering company specializing in bearings and customized power transmission solutions for heavy industry. The group’s services encompass the entire value chain, from design and manufacturing to distribution, repair, and maintenance, addressing a wide range of industrial applications. With a strong focus on technical excellence, ABS has established itself as a leader across four continents, delivering innovative solutions that meet the evolving challenges of the industrial sector.

Source: Spain-US Chamber of Commerce