Albert C. Zapanta

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Albert C. Zapanta (born March 8, 1941) is an American businessman and Republican politician who serves on the Irving, Texas city council (6th place) and has held the seat since May 6, 2018. He is the CEO of the Dallas-based United States–Mexico Chamber of Commerce.

A decorated Vietnam War veteran, Zapanta served as a Green Beret and rose to major general. He earned the Silver Star, Purple Heart, multiple Bronze Stars, and other honors, and later received the Joint Service Commendation Medal for service in the Gulf War, Somalia, and Haiti. He also served as Chief of Staff for a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Western Sahara.

Zapanta’s career includes leadership roles in business and government. He began at Bethlehem Steel, then led public affairs at ARCO and, from 1978 to 1993, was a vice president of ARCO. He served as Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Management and Administration from 1976 to 1977. He earned a BA in Industrial Psychology and an MA in Public Administration from the University of Southern California, and studied at Harvard Business School, the Inter-American Defense College, and the National War College. In 1973 he helped found the USC Mexican-American Alumni Association, the first of its kind at a major university to promote diversity and inclusion. Zapanta founded PAZ Energy, LLC, which advised on natural gas extraction with Chesapeake Energy for potential use under Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. He has served on boards and as a trustee, including Tyson Foods and the University of Dallas.