Honorary Consul Emeritus
The Honorable Enrique Melendez
Ambassador At Large, Diplomatic Corps of Arizona
melendezfh@aol.co
About Consul Emeritus Melendez
Enrique Melendez and his wife, Pam (an Arizona native) moved from California to the Fountain Hills area twenty-five years ago. He has a son, daughter and grandchildren who reside in California. Enrique was born in El Salvador and came to the US for his education. He is the only member of his family who decided to stay in our country, although he continues to represent his family's business interests in Central America.
Consul Melendez professional business background for 35 years in the petroleum industry covered many assignments including marketing, human resources, advertising, and public affairs. He served in many areas of senior management including Manager of Public Affairs for the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. He worked with Atlantic Richfield Company as Regional Manager for Public Affairs in the Western Region of the US. During this time, he was a member of the negotiating team that established the Arco Arena, home of the NBA Sacramento Kings.
In 1982, Enrique was honored at the White House by President Reagan and received an award as one of the top 20 Hispanics in the country. In 1983, California State Senate President Pro Tempore, David Roberti, appointed Mr. Melendez to the World Trade Commission. During the next 12 years, Enrique served on this commission and was instrumental in the development of World Trade Offices in Tokyo, Hong Kong, Mexico City, Frankfurt, and London.
Those years brought him invaluable practical and business experience, which he later used to open his own consulting company following early retirement from Atlantic Richfield Company. His company included clients such as ARCO, General Dynamics, The Port of Long Beach, California Steel, E and J Gallo Winery, California Wine Institute, Sacramento Kings, Seventh Day Adventist Church, California Judges Association, SOKA University, and many others. His firm specialized in developing business opportunities in the areas of environmental technology, marketing, distribution of products, and government interface on behalf of clients.
Enrique also served on the Executive Committee of the California Manufacturer's Association, the Multiple Sclerosis Association Board, California Chamber of Commerce, Sacramento Blood Drive, Sacramento Opera, and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. His Arizona community service includes membership in the Maricopa County Jail Committee, Arizona Community Service including serving as Vice Mayor of Fountain Hills. Consul Melendez also is an active member of the Scottsdale Police Department's Chief Advisory Council and a founding board member of the Scottsdale Advocacy Center, an organization that provides support for abused women and children.
Consul Melendez attended Loyola High School in Los Angeles and holds a BS in Foreign Trade from the University of San Francisco and also earned certificates during his oil business career in Professional Management from Stanford University and the Petroleum Educational Institute.