John-Michael Cortez Recipient of 2006 AHCA Extraordinary Volunteer Award

A life-long resident of Central Texas, John-Michael Vincent Cortez graduated from McNeil High School in northwest Austin and received a degree in International Business from the University of Texas. John-Michael is also a graduate of the Hispanic Austin Leadership program. From an early age, John-Michael has been active in the community having attended, and later helping organize, youth programs sponsored by the National Hispanic Institute throughout high school and college. John-Michael’s passion for public service is evidenced by his leadership roles in several community organizations and efforts.

John-Michael has served as President of the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation and is the Immediate-Past President of the Austin History Center Association. He has also served on the Board of Directors of the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Austin Partners in Education, Friends of the Austin Public Library, Austin Public Library Foundation, Austin Independent School District Foundation, Hispanic Scholarship Consortium of Central Texas, and Austin Latino Music Association.

During his tenure on the Austin History Center Association Board of Directors, John-Michael served as chair of the Ways and Means Committee and, together with the Executive Director, instituted the popular “Behind These Walls…Our Community’s Collective Memory” tours of the Austin History Center, the Angelina Eberly Society of the Austin History Center Association, and the Angelina Eberly Luncheons. Under his leadership, giving to the Austin History Center Association greatly increased.

Due to his extensive work in the community, John-Michael was appointed by the Austin City Council to serve on the Libraries for the Future Task Force, Zoning and Platting Commission, and most recently, the Austin Planning Commission. The Austin ISD Board of Trustees also appointed Mr. Cortez to serve on the Austin Community Education Consortium, and recently, John-Michael co-chaired the Austin ISD Task Force for the District Strategic Plan.

John-Michael grew up working in his family’s restaurants in Austin, was previously employed as a marketing consultant at an Austin-based firm, co-founded and ran a local, small business in the construction industry, and currently serves as Outreach Director for Congressman Lloyd Doggett.