Hector v. Barreto

CEO Barreto and Associates

Hector V. Barreto is the founder of Barreto Inc., a Southern California based international business consulting firm focused on developing relationships between major corporations and entrepreneurs with an emphasis on small businesses and emerging markets.

He is internationally recognized for his successful business ventures, community leadership, government service and as a leading voice for Latinos across the country. He is a frequent public speaker, media guest, panelist and commentator on business, politics and the Latino community.

Barreto served five years as the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration after being unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate. He led the SBA to record heights of support for small-businesses, especially minority and female entrepreneurs who had historically been under-served, by leveraging a loan portfolio that exceeded $60 billion.

Born into an entrepreneurial family, Barreto gained invaluable business experience during his youth by helping to run his family’s restaurants, import/export business, and construction company. After graduating from Rockhurst University, he became the South Texas Area Manager for the Miller Brewing Company. In 1986 he moved to California and formed Barreto Insurance and Financial Services.

Barreto founded Tributo a Mi Padre Tequila in 2011 in honor of his late father, Hector Barreto Sr., an accomplished businessman and community leader. In 2013, Tributo tequila was awarded the prestigious 5 Star Diamond Award by the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences, making it the only tequila to hold this distinction.

His community service includes being the founder and former chairman of Business Matchmaking, a highly recognized non-profit that has helped small-business owners gain access to government and corporate procurement representatives.  Barreto was a member of the board of the United States Chamber of Commerce and served on its council for small business.

He has been inducted into the Minority Business Hall of Fame and recognized by many organizations including the U.S. Congress, the California State Senate and Assembly and the American Red Cross. In 2006 he was presented with the prestigious Aguila Azteca Award by President Fox of Mexico. He recently received the Latino Leadership Magazine Maestro Award for Entrepreneurship.

Barreto is the author of The Engine of America, a book dedicated to motivating and inspiring entrepreneurs through real life stories and the winning formulas of successful business leaders.