Al Martinez-Fonts

Mr. Al Martinez-Fonts, Jr. brings extensive experience in both government and the private sector. He most recently served as the key link between the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and private industry. Currently, Mr. Martinez-Fonts also serves as a Senior Fellow at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

In 2005, Mr. Martinez-Fonts was appointed Assistant Secretary for the Private Sector Office at DHS. As Assistant Secretary, Mr. Martinez-Fonts was charged with providing America’s private sector with a direct line of communication to the senior leadership of the Department and the operational components of DHS. Mr. Martinez-Fonts worked directly with individual businesses, trade associations and other non-governmental organizations to foster dialogue between the private sector and key DHS policymakers.

Prior to his role at DHS, Mr. Martinez-Fonts retired as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of JP Morgan Chase Bank in El Paso, Texas and as President of the bank in San Antonio. He began his 30-year financial services career with Chemical Bank as a management trainee and worked his way up through the organization.

During his private sector career, he lived and traveled extensively overseas, including managing Chemical Bank’s offices in Manila, Philippines (1976-1979) and Mexico City, Mexico (1982-1988). He was Regional Manager of Chemical’s business in Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia (1980-1982).

Mr. Martinez-Fonts has also served on many boards, including The Greater El Paso Chamber Foundation, Project ARRIBA, ACCION International, and ACCION USA. He was a member of the Frito-Lay Hispanic/Latino Advisory Board, the United Way of El Paso Board, and the University of Texas at El Paso Development Board. In the past he also served on the Fannie Mae Advisory Board and the American Bankers Association Communications Council.

He served as the 1993 Chairman of The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the 1988 President of The American Chamber of Commerce in Mexico City.

Mr. Martinez-Fonts received his undergraduate degree in political science from Villanova University and his MBA in finance from Long Island University.