The Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame proudly honors Laredo businessman and philanthropist Arturo Benavides Sr. as the 2012 Sportsman of the Year.
The son of the late Anita and Carlos Y. Benavides, Sr., Benavides graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy and attended both Fordham University and the University of Dallas. He proudly served in the Texas National Guard.
A dedicated rancher, Benavides founded the Pescadito Cattle Company, raising commercial Brangus cattle. He founded ANB Cattle Company, later expanded its interests to include ranch ing, hunting, commercial real estate, land development, hotels, and oil and gas ventures.
While ranching is a huge part of his life’s work, Benavides also remains passionately devoted to his community — especially the youth of Webb County. He made several generous donations to the Kids’ Café — a South Texas Food Bank program providing nutritious meals to children in three centers — and the Benavides Boys and Girls Club in downtown Laredo, the Rio Bravo Community Center, and the El Cenizo Community Center. One of the Kids’ Cafes bears the name of Benavides’ three grandchildren: the John Roman Galo and Zoe Zelin Benavides Kids Cafe.
In 2009, during its annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser, the South Texas Food Bank paid tribute to Benavides for helping establish the Kids’ Cafe. In 2011, the League of United Latin American Citizens Council 12 honored Benavides by naming him Señor Internacional, representing the United States of America. That same year, Mayor Raul Salinas awarded Benavides the honorary title of President of the Republic of the Rio Grande.
Benavides’ source of strength and devotion comes his family, Anna and John Galo, and his grandson John Roman; and Malu and Arturo Benavides, and grandchildren Zoe, Carolina, and Carlos.