2008 NETWORKING® MAGAZINE’S DAVID AWARD HONOREE

Returning from the November U.S. Green Building Council’s (GBC) Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, Emilio Hernandez shared his enthusiasm about building “ green” with Networking® magazine. He said, “The Villa Group looks forward to making its community more aware of how simple measures can make a more environmentally friendly world and bring savings to homeowners. I want The Villa Group to be the first Hispanic-owned architecture and engineering company in the state of New York to provide design and construction that qualifies for LEED® certification.”

The three-day conference, which attracted architects, engineers, facilities managers, developers, contractors, builders, interior designers, product manufacturers and government representatives, took place in Chicago, one of the first cities to adopt the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Green Building Rating System. Hernandez said that he and three of his associates, one-third of his small office, “didn’t want to miss anything.” They attended numerous workshops, made contacts, and he adds, “pursued a true understanding of the Council, its history and mission.”

A Nicaraguan native, Hernandez brings to Long Island a more international view, one might say, of the need to change the way structures are designed and built. He cites the effects of deforestation on the rainforests in Brazil and Indonesia, and warns that people have to “get started” on saving the environment. He plans to integrate “green” aspects into his designs because he recognizes that energy and water savings can be accomplished through good design and engineering techniques.

Hernandez has studied and worked in the architectural design and construction industry for 25 years. He immigrated to the United States with his family in the early 1970s, and attended LaSalle Academy in Manhattan. In high school, he and his brother received hands-on training in drafting and engineering through BOCES. Throughout his formative years, he had opportunities to visit and live in Mexico and Nicaragua. Following high school he attended the University of Guadalajara, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in Architecture and Interior Design. He went on to join his uncle’s architectural business in Mexico, so that he could broaden his culture and strengthen his background in the basics of construction. On Long Island, he studied Construction Technology and Architecture at New York Institute of Technology, and furthered his professional training through certificate programs given by the American Management Association Institute. Hernandez’s career experience spans the public and private sectors, having served as architect and project manager for Pinnacle East Design, Comstock Jackson, LILCO, KeySpan, Allcom International and RBS Interior Designs. He has participated in such projects as the new American Airlines terminal at Kennedy Airport, The Plaza Hotel renovations and KeySpan’s Main Call Center in Melville, and projects abroad with Bancomerico and Scotiabank.

Three years ago, he founded The Villa Group as a way to open up the architecture and engineering industry to the Hispanic market on Long Island. Hernandez notes that his staff is multicultural, with“ 10 different countries represented among the 12 people in my office,” and he adds, “We bring a lot of Latin flavor.” Hispanic developers and builders often reachout to Hernandez because he’s bilingual and familiarwith local and state codes and the application process for permits. In addition, his years managing major projectin Manhattan for clients such as Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley and Deutsche Bank have prepared himto collaborate with engineers and construction companiesin the region. “My business grew out of thisniche,” concludes Hernandez. Many of his private sector clients are residential, corporate or nonprofit, and include IHOP restaurants, 7-11 franchises, Adelante and the Long Island Housing Partnership.

In addition to growing his business, Hernandez also serves as Executive Director of the Tri-Hamlet Community Development Corporation (CDC), a business- oriented nonprofit organization, comprising the communities of Brentwood, Central Islip and Bay Shore. “ Tri-Hamlet CDC concentrates on empowering our community to open new businesses,” notes Hernandez,“ by providing workshops and raining in computers, resume writing and formulating business plans, locating start-up grants, and introducing prospective business owners to other businesspeople and mentors. We also try to make opportunities accessible for financial assistance—loans and lines of credit with banks and financial institutions.” Hernandez and Assemblyman Phil Ramos recently launched a Revitalization Project for downtown Brentwood. Under Hernandez’s guidance, Tri-Hamlet worked with 75 businesses in applying for grant funding from the Empire State Development Corporation. As a result, eight new businesses received funding that would provide them with six months of services, office space andequipment, coaching, and legal and financial advice, at the CDC’s small business incubator.

In addition to his work with the Tri-Hamlet CDC, Hernandez works as a volunteer in the tri-hamlet area through a service-oriented nonprofit called Pronto, which operates a food pantry and clothing shop, and assists people in finding housing. Hernandez serves as secretary of the Latin American Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York, a Long Island based organization that focuses on establishing opportunities for those businesses whose owners represent the countries of origin of its members. Through the Salvadorian Alliance Corporation, Hernandez works to raise awareness of the Hispanic community, and has been actively involved in the organization of the Central American Day Parade in Brentwood, the largest Hispanic festival on Long Island. The event is held on September 15 and coincides with the kickoff of Spanish Heritage Month, recognizing the independence of Latin American countries. On behalf of the Alliance, he has made humanitarian trips to Central American communities to donate medicine and medical equipment. Hernandez was recently named to the Board of Directors of the New York State Association of Hispanics in Real Estate Construction, which works toward inclusion for Hispanic professionals, craftsmen, managers and entrepreneurs in the real estate and construction industries.

A Bayport resident, Hernandez and his wife Lillian, a certified pediatric nurse practitioner, have two daughters Logan Ava and Emersen Rose. An outgoing, hard working individual who enjoys bicycling, gardening, working on his home and cooking, Hernandez says, “One day I hope to make it big, so I can truly share my blessings with others.”