PRESS RELEASE
Spain-U.S. Chamber Celebrates Iberdrola-Avangrid and Alejandro Pardiñas at the 2024 Ponce de León Awards Amid Solidarity with Spain’s Flood-Affected Communities
On a night full of celebrations, Iberdrola-Avangrid and Alejandro Pardiñas, CEO of Atlantic Bearing Services (ABS), received the 2024 Ponce de León Prizes for “Company of the Year” and “Executive of the Year,” respectively, awarded by the Spain-U.S. Chamber of Commerce during its 44th-anniversary gala.
The awards ceremony took place in Miami, at an event focused on innovation, sustainability and the future of energy, gathering over 360 representatives from the Spanish and U.S. business communities. Notable attendees included Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava,Consul General of Spain in Miami Jaime Lacadena,, and other key figures from the business community.
In her opening remarks, Mónica Vázquez, President of the Chamber, emphasized:
“Tonight, we not only celebrate the achievements of our honorees but also their positive impact on communities. Both represent a model of leadership grounded in innovation, sustainability, and shared value creation between Spain and the United States.”The gala, hosted by journalists Lucía Riaño and Irene Sánchez, well-known faces from ¡HOLA! TV and Telemundo, also called for action to support the victims of the recent deadly torrential storms in Spain. Particularly devastating in the Valencia region, the unprecedented rains and flash floods have so far resulted in 210 casualties, significant infrastructure damage, and major economic losses. Through a solidarity initiative organized in collaboration with the American Red Cross, funds were raised to provide food, shelter, and emotional support to affected communities.
Iberdrola-Avangrid: Leading the Global Energy Transition
Iberdrola is committed to advancing the electrification through renewables, smart grids and energy storage, boosting energy self-sufficiency, competitiveness, reindustrialization and job creation, while setting new benchmarks in sustainability and innovation. Iberdrola operates globally with 42,000 employees and close to $170 billion in assets, supporting 500,000 jobs through its supply chain and annual purchases of $21 billion. Avangrid, with around $50 billion in assets and operations across 24 U.S. states, strives to be the leading sustainable energy company in the U.S. and was named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the sixth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute in 2024.
In the United States, Iberdrola’s subsidiary Avangrid, based in Orange, Connecticut, operates in 24 states with assets valued at $47 billion. Avangrid manages 8 electric and natural gas utilities serving over 3.3 million customers, while its renewable energy division has installed 9 gigawatts of clean energy capacity, positioning it as the third-largest onshore renewables operator in the country.
Under the leadership of Ignacio Galán, Iberdrola’s Executive Chairman, Avangrid has made significant strides in reducing emissions and adopting new energy sources, as well as strengthening and expanding grid infrastructure.
For these achievements, Pedro Azagra, CEO of Avangrid, stated upon receiving the award: “It is an honor to be recognized for the efforts Iberdrola and Avangrid are making under Chairman Galán’s leadership to expand and strengthen our infrastructure and provide energy to millions of customers in the United States. We will invest in our networks and leverage advanced technologies to enhance service quality and build a more efficient and resilient energy model. Innovation is essential to adapting to the challenges and ensuring a more resilient and sustainable future.”
Alejandro Pardiñas: A Leader in Industrial Engineering and Sustainability
This year marks the 25th anniversary of Atlantic Bearing Services (ABS), a company that, under the leadership of Alejandro Pardiñas, has established itself as a global reference in engineering solutions for heavy industries and renewable energy. ABS plays a critical role in the custom manufacturing of components and power transmission systems that ensure optimal performance in sectors such as steel, cement, mining, sugar, and wind energy, which has become the cornerstone of its operations.
This year, ABS Wind became the exclusive partner of leading manufacturer ZF Wind Power for the repair and maintenance of its wind turbine gearboxes across the North American market.
Additionally, the company has embarked on an organizational transformation aimed at continued growth and diversification. As part of this strategy, it recently launched ABS Power Conversion, positioning itself as a specialized supplier of systems for wind, solar, EV, and BESS technologies.
Looking ahead, ABS will continue to promote responsible practices throughout its operations, aligning with international environmental demands and fostering a more circular production model.
Upon receiving the award, Pardiñas remarked: “This award holds a deeply special meaning for me. As a U.S. citizen born in Cuba, with roots in Spain, I feel privileged to have built my career in a context that naturally bridges these markets. This recognition is a testament to our incredible team—the foundation of our success and the driving force behind the growth that lies ahead”
How to Help the Affected Communities
Attendees of the gala were encouraged to support the victims of the devastating DANA storm in Spain, which caused severe flooding, infrastructure damage, and significant economic losses. Donations can be made through [Red Cross link], providing vital humanitarian aid, saving lives, and strengthening the resilience of affected communities.
This year, ABS Wind became the exclusive partner of leading manufacturer ZF Wind Power for the repair and maintenance of its wind turbine gearboxes across the North American market.
Additionally, the company has embarked on an organizational transformation aimed at continued growth and diversification. As part of this strategy, it recently launched ABS Power Conversion, positioning itself as a specialized supplier of systems for wind, solar, EV, and BESS technologies.
Looking ahead, ABS will continue to promote responsible practices throughout its operations, aligning with international environmental demands and fostering a more circular production model.
Upon receiving the award, Pardiñas remarked: “This award holds a deeply special meaning for me. As a U.S. citizen born in Cuba, with roots in Spain, I feel privileged to have built my career in a context that naturally bridges these markets. This recognition is a testament to our incredible team—the foundation of our success and the driving force behind the growth that lies ahead”
The Chamber, together with its attendees and honorees, reaffirmed its commitment to taking action against global challenges and supporting those in need.
SPAIN-US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN FLORIDA
The Spain-US Chamber of Commerce in Florida, one of the leading binational chambers of commerce in the United States, continues to play a vital role in fostering business relationships between Spain and the U.S. With over 540 members, the Chamber offers indispensable support to companies looking to expand and succeed in the U.S. market. The annual gala provides a platform to celebrate these successes while offering opportunities for networking and collaboration among business leaders from the U.S., Spain, and Latin America.
IBERDROLA
Iberdrola is one of the world’s largest energy companies and a leader in renewable energy, spearheading the electrification through renewables, smart grid and energy storage to promote decarbonization, energy self-sufficiency, competitiveness, efficiency and, above all, progress and well-being for people. The group supplies energy to almost 100 million people in dozens of countries. Iberdrola focuses on renewable energy, smart networks, energy storage and smart solutions for customers, with key markets including Europe (Spain, the United Kingdom, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy, and Greece), the United States, Brazil, Mexico, and Australia. With nearly 40,000 employees and assets around $170billion, Iberdrola has been a benchmark in the fight against climate change, investing over $165 billion over the past two decades to build a sustainable energy model based on sound environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles.
AVANGRID
Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT, with approximately $50 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states,
Avangrid has two primary lines of business: networks and renewables. Through its networks business, Avangrid owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Through its renewables business, Avangrid owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. Avangrid has been recognized for its ESG+F framework and commitment to sustainability, having been named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute for six consecutive years.
ABOUT ABS, Atlantic Bearing Services
ABS is a global engineering company specializing in bearings and customized power transmission solutions for heavy industry. The group’s services encompass the entire value chain, from design and manufacturing to distribution, repair, and maintenance, addressing a wide range of industrial applications. With a strong focus on technical excellence, ABS has established itself as a leader across four continents, delivering innovative solutions that meet the evolving challenges of the industrial sector.