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 November 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 renown 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 US 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 US. 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 US 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 US 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.”