George L. Pla, President & CEO of Cordoba Corporation was one of four civic and community leaders honored by Plaza Community Services at its “Bridges of Opportunity” Dinner on Friday, October 6, 2017, at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles.
Mr. Pla, who was introduced by former Los Angeles Mayor and State Assembly Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa, received the “Community Development Award” in honor of his enduring work to give back to the community and to inspire future leaders.
In his introduction, Mayor Villaraigosa shared about George Pla’s roots as an activist fighting for empowerment and inspired by the hope and optimism of the 1960s. Mayor Villaraigosa explained how George later went on build a thriving business, Cordoba Corporation, which is now an ENR Top 50 Program Management Firm and Top 100 Construction Management-for-Fee Firm specializing in the delivery of infrastructure projects in the transportation, education, water and energy sectors.
Mayor Villaraigosa emphasized how George Pla’s dedication to working and building Cordoba Corporation is matched by his dedication to giving back to the community, including hiring from the local community, with an eye to creating the next generation of leadership. Mayor Villaraigosa concluded by stating, “Most importantly, we acknowledge George for never forgetting where he came from.”
In receiving the award, Mr. Pla thanked Plaza Community Services’ staff and board members, and acknowledged the evening’s other honorees, characterizing them all as “warriors.” He focused his acceptance speech on highlighting the mission of Plaza and how it is still relevant now more than ever — more than 100 years after it was founded. He saluted event sponsors, reiterated that the new model for non-profits is a combination of both government funding and private sector money, and emphasized that it is vital for the private sector join him in supporting Plaza.
In closing, Mr. Pla stated, “It is not the duration of your life that matters, but it is the devotion of your life that will make a difference.”
The evening’s other honorees included: Castulo de la Rocha, Founder & CEO of AltaMed Health Services (Health Services Award); Domenika Lynch, President & CEO of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (Education & Empowerment Award); and Luis A. Carrillo – Carrillo Law Firm LLP (Victims’ Rights Award).
For more information about Plaza Community Services visit http://plazacs.org/index.php
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Contact: Communications Department, Cordoba Corporation
Phone: (213) 895-0224 Email: communications@cordobacorp.com
