David Lizarraga – Internationally Recognized Leader in Economic Empowerment and Community Development

David Lizarraga is an internationally acclaimed leader in economic empowerment and community development. He donates his knowledge, leadership, insight and time to numerous civic, business, educational and governmental-based organizations.

As Chairman of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, he has held his post for an unprecedented six years. Critics claim he has become an entrenched autocrat and undermined their mission.

Early Life and Education

David Lizarraga is an esteemed leader in community development. As founder and Chairman of TELACU Education Foundation, he provides academic support to over 500 full-time college students, high school seniors, nursing school students and veterans annually through highly successful programs that guarantee academic success.

He is also the co-founder and Executive Vice President of SBLI, a life insurance company that sells its products through both internal distribution channels as well as through an expansive network of brokers and agents in the U.S. He generously donates his expertise, leadership skills, insight, and time to numerous civic, business, educational, and government-based organizations throughout his tenure there.

He is also a proud father. On September 4, 2014, his wife Alyssa Milano welcomed their daughter Elizabella Dylan Bugliari into the world.

Professional Career

David is internationally acclaimed as an innovator in community and economic development. He created the groundbreaking TELACU Model, a community investment engine that keeps TELACU atop the list as America’s largest Community Development Corporation.

He generously donates his expertise, leadership and time to numerous civic, business, educational, governmental and community-based organizations. As the former Chairman of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce he champions for more than 2.5 million Latino businesses throughout America.

Under his leadership, TELACU has grown into the largest Community Development Corporation in America with assets exceeding $700 million dedicated to empowering individuals and families. Furthermore, he serves as Chairman and Founder of TELACU Education Foundation which annually awards over 2,000 scholarships to high school, college, and graduate students.

Achievements and Honors

David Lizarraga is an internationally acclaimed leader in community and economic development. He created the TELACU Model, a community investment engine that keeps TELACU as America’s largest Community Development Corporation (CDC).

He generously shares his expertise, leadership and insight with many civic, business, educational, governmental and community-based organizations across America. Furthermore, he was past Chairman of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce where he advocated for more than 2.5 million Latino businesses nationwide.

David is a UC Santa Barbara graduate with a Master of Arts in Journalism and Master of Public Administration degrees. He has worked in the communications department for nearly two decades, serving as one of the “drivers” behind UC Santa Barbara’s reputation and visibility initiatives.

Personal Life

David Lizarraga is a successful businessman who prioritizes family values. He advocates for community development, especially when it comes to youth development.

He has served on the boards of numerous community-based organizations and his company’s board of directors. Additionally, he works in Lakeside area 4-H clubs to assist children and families in need.

David has earned a place of honor among our nation’s top Hispanic leaders, creating the groundbreaking TELACU Model that makes his nonprofit organization the largest Community Development Corporation in America.

Lizarraga has long been an enthusiastic champion for diversity, lending his expertise, leadership and insight to numerous civic, business, educational, governmental and community-based organizations. He has received numerous honors and awards including Entrepreneur of the Year from Entrepreneur Magazine; Minority Business Advocate of the Year from U.S. Small Business Administration and MBDA; as well as NAACP Thurgood Marshall Award in 2011.

Net Worth

David Lizarraga has an estimated net worth of $86 million. He founded TELACU, a community development company dedicated to serving, empowering, advancing and creating self-sufficiency for urban communities. Additionally, David serves on the board of directors for U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; representing three million Hispanic-owned businesses throughout America.

He has earned a place of honor among our nation’s top Hispanic leaders, receiving numerous awards for business achievements, commitment to community economic development and empowerment, and philanthropic activities. Recently he completed five years as Chairman of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce after serving previously as Vice President of NAHCCO. Currently he sits on the advisory board for community development for Treasury Department; an expert in these areas.