DALLAS, May 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Rafael Anchia, co-founder and Managing Director at Civitas Capital Group, has been awarded the 2019 Distinguished Hispanic Alumni Award.
In announcing the award, the board of the Hispanic Alumni of Southern Methodist University said Anchia was unanimously approved due to his dedication to the university, as well as his leadership and public service in North Texas.
“I am extremely honored to receive this award from my alma mater,” Anchia said. “SMU gave me the education I needed to succeed in business and politics. It’s where I first learned to listen to opinions from people whose worldview differed from mine and find common ground. It’s also where I learned how to stand up for what I believe in and persuade others that certain fights were worth fighting. I’m thankful to The Hispanic Alumni of SMU, a group of business and civic leaders that contributes so much to our community.”
Anchia received his undergraduate degree cum laude from SMU and earned his juris doctorate from Tulane UniversityLaw School. He has served as a State Representative in the Texas Legislature since 2004. He currently is Chairman of the International Relations & Economic Development Committee. From 2011 to 2015, Anchia served as an appointee of President Barack H. Obama to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.
The Hispanic Alumni of SMU was established in 1997. The mission of the group is to serve as the link between SMU Hispanic alumni and the SMU community, while promoting the Hispanic Alumni Scholarship. The Distinguished Hispanic Alumni Award began in 2014. Anchia is its 7th recipient.
The award ceremony was held Thursday, April 25, in Jones Hall in the Meadows Museum.
About Civitas Capital Group
Civitas Capital Group is a Dallas, Texas-based alternative asset firm that provides a range of products and services for institutional investors, family offices, and qualified individuals. The firm, which has more than $1.4 billion of assets under management in more than 60 investments, focuses on compelling, niche investment strategies in U.S. real estate and lodging. Civitas’ executive team has over 100 years of combined investment experience, including more than 80 years of collective hospitality experience. For more information, please visit civitascapital.com.
