“I have washed dishes, dug ditches, worked the fields, and bagged groceries. I have mentored others and have been mentored. I have traveled and have seen the world. I have dined with the rich and famous as well as the poor and destitute. I have helped many, and I have been helped myself. My success came early through hard work and perseverance.”

Humberto Lopez acknowledges with deep gratitude the financial aid that enabled him to get a good education. Today, he helps others obtain a higher education, achieve their dreams, and live a better life.

A self-made man, Humberto Lopez firmly believes “Surplus wealth is a sacred trust and those fortunate to possess it are bound to administer it for the good of the community.” Early in his career, he worked as an accountant – not because he wanted to be an accountant, but because he believed he would learn the focus of his future life’s work from this experience. During those six years, he developed real estate expertise that  he put to good use. Since 1973, Humberto has syndicated approximately 100 limited partnerships, acquiring and disposing of more than $500 million of real estate, and has owned, operated, and invested in scores of businesses.

Humberto and Czarina Lopez moved to Tucson 27 years ago with daughters Iliana and Iovanna and nephew Omar. Omar, raised as part of the family, currently plays a key role in one of the Lopez companies, while the Lopez daughters are taking an active role in the family foundation currently being established.

The essence of this remarkable couple is captured by Czarina’s belief that “when you love something, you give it your soul.” After their move to Tucson, the couple became involved with the Tucson community, giving their time, energy, leadership, and dollars to scores of organizations.

Czarina has served Catholic Community Services, La Frontera Center, The University of Arizona Cancer Center, the Steele Memorial Children’s Research Center, The San Miguel Museum, the Arizona Theatre Company and Angel Charities, a Tucson fundraising organization.

Humberto’s activities are as diverse. He chairs The University of Arizona Foundation and the UA Sarver Heart Center. He also serves on the Board of Advisors of the UA Eller College of Business. Humberto has served as past Board Chairman of United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona. Past civic appointments include Tucson’s Downtown Redevelopment Committee, Arizona Office of Tourism, Urban Lands Advisory Committee, and Arizona Small Business Conference. Humberto has served on the boards of a number of New York Exchange public companies including Pinnacle West, Arizona Public Service, Suncor, Capital Bancorp Ltd, and Sun Community Bancorp Ltd. Tucson recently honored Humberto as the 2006 Tucson Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce’s Man of the Year. In December, he was honored by The University of Arizona Hispanic Alumni Association. Additional honors include City of Hope’s Man of the Year, Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser, and Beta Alpha Psi Accounting Fraternity’s Outstanding Alumni Award. He was named one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics and is in the Society of Fellows of the National Jewish Hospital Research Center.

Neither Humberto nor Czarina come from a family of means. Humberto lost his father at age 11. He treasures the memory of his mother, who, as a young widow, struggled to raise six children. His uncle brought the family from Mexico to Nogales, Arizona, where he taught Humberto and his siblings discipline and hard work. Czarina grew up in Mexico, and when introduced to Humberto at a high school event, immediately knew she wanted to spend her life with him. Humberto counts Czarina as the greatest of the many fortunes in his life.

Both Humberto and Czarina live by the advice he espouses: “You have to be willing to share of yourself and your resources; you have to be willing to go beyond the call of duty by investing some of your free time; you need to be dedicated and committed; you cannot be selfish. You have to follow your heart to lead you to the causes that are most important to you. You need to maintain a balance in your life, never allowing your activities to become a chore.” The life Czarina and Humberto have built is a testament to their dedication to building a better life for the community they serve.