Bill De La Fuente Scholarship Foundation
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​BILL DE LA FUENTE


“There are men and women who make the world better just by being the kind of people they are. They have the gift of kindness or courage or loyalty or integrity. It really matters very little whether they are behind the wheel of a truck or running a business or bringing up a family. They teach the truth by living it.” ― President James Garfield (1831–1881)
 
Mr. Bill de la Fuente, is a clear depiction of what President James Garfield quote states: “They teach the truth by living it”.  For over 30 years Bill de La Fuente has resided in San Diego County. A patriot to our Country he served in the military from 1967 to 1971.  He then made North County San Diego, his hometown.  Originally from the San Francisco Bay area, de la Fuente, rooted himself in the City of Escondido and later the City of Vista, where he has positively impacted the lives of many community members. 

A long time business owner (De la Fuente Party Supplies), he was very aware of the many hurdles faced by Hispanic Comerciantes (Entrepreneurs) within our local communities.  Motivated to bring awareness and notoriety of a vast “majority” of what for many years was considered a “Minority” in our local Cities.  De la Fuente, Founded and successfully directed Comerciantes Latinos Asociados- a Latino based organization that helped guide and provide resources to our Latino business owners, for well over 16 years.  When Mr. de la Fuente spoke, people listened. His impeccable reputation that was vastly known for Living the truth, Bill earned the respect and fellowship of City governments and its leaders, school districts and their boards, even the most challenging, the trust of the Latino Comerciante, which was still an up and coming novelty for many communities. 

Bill de la Fuente is known for always staying true to his word.  A man that could never be swayed, bought or easily influenced.  He is a Civic Leader and as such has influenced the lives of the many individuals that have crossed his path.  De la Fuente built a bridge between Latino communities and local city governments.  He paved a road that was rooted by knowledge, awareness, and integrity.  “I do not want the corporate dollar, our comerciantes can stand on their own and be a direct contribution to the education of our youth”.  He instructed many on the importance of being involved in our local Cities, making our presence count, being a proud and active resident, most importantly, giving back.  Always an advocate for education, De la Fuente focused primarily on Fundraising for Scholarships that were issued every year to local High school students that through academics, had earned their way to a road guiding them to University studies.  The diffusion of the contributions made by local Latino Comerciantes as also the developmental growth in each small business owner that he mentored, combined, have been his daily fuel to continue to be the true Leader he has become today, one that teaches the Truth by living it. 

Bill de la Fuente’s accomplishments are vast and diverse.  Upon his retirement of the CLA organization, June 18, 2015, the Bill de la Fuente Scholarship Foundation was created in his dedication.  The City of Vista, Mayor Judy Ritter also proclaimed a day in honor of De la Fuente, on April 2, 2015,  the 2nd. of April to be the “Bill de la Fuente Day”.  He is a Founder for the very first Latino Speakers Bureau in North County.  He has also instituted the first Latino Blood Drive in North County San Diego and has successfully brought together donors for over 16 consecutive years.  De la Fuente has also Founded:  Senderos group, Adams-Gamble Neighborhood Committee, Latino Heritage Committee, North Santa Fe Association, and lastly, Founder of the Benito Juarez Community Garden where when not speaking or mentoring students or business owners, you will find de la Fuente, cleaning and pruning his jardin. 

De la Fuente has also co-founded; East Valley Parkway Business Association, Neighborhood Alliance. He was project Director of the first Latino Bank in North County, Palomar Savings Servicios Bancarios.  An influential Facilitator for the Townsite Leadership Development Institute.  As also served as Chairman and Board Member for the following groups: Festival Latino Committee, Old Escondido Neighborhood Committee,  Assistance League Advisory Committee, South Escondido Blvd Academy, East Valley Pky Overlay Planning Committee, Escondido Economic development Taskforce and the Echo Foundation. He has also served as Advisor for; Palomar College EOP and Vista ROP.  Lastly within the Educational sector, de la Fuente has served as Chairman-Hispanic Advisory Committee for CSUSM; Chairman-Latino Heritage Committee; Harmony of History Mural; HSI Taskforce CSUSM, and the University Council CSUSM.  

Over the last 30 years, Bill de la Fuente has been an orator at over 600 community presentations, has aided in over 60 employment placements, successfully executed over 20 Latino blood drives and has mentored over 105 local businesses.  Even today, while in his retirement, Bill de la Fuente, is highly sought after for his mentorship, friendship, influence, and to have a cup of “Te de su jardin”. 
Bill de la Fuente, is loved and respected by many. He is a father, grand-father, brother, friend and mentor.  May his story always be shared with admiration and humility and may it always be an example to others that we are not all here to Make a Buck… but to Make a Difference!                                                                      
 
"Es bueno ser grande pero es mas grande ser bueno."

Meet Our Board of directors

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Claudia I. tapia, ImmEDIATE PAST
​CHAIR-ADVISOR Founding Board Member

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Claudia I. Tapia is Founder, President/CEO of Abriendo Puertas USA. Abriendo Puertas USA is an organization that protects Consumers Rights for Hispanic families in this country. She is first generation, eldest daughter, of immigrant parents in the U.S.A. that originate from the states of Durango and Jalisco, Mexico. Since her early childhood, her parents, instructed her on daily reading in the Spanish language besides her general studies. Claudia learned through her own experiences, the need to provide educational topics to families in this country that did not dominate the English language. During her University studies, Claudia actively worked with Hispanic families assisting and providing professional services of much need in our community. Services such as; Tax preparation, Immigration and Real Estate. Tapia has always focused on helping our Hispanic communities, with the same characteristics that define her, her constant dedication.

Claudia I. Tapia has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and has also served in various diverse committees. She has served as President- Comerciantes Latinos Asociados Inland; Treasurer- Executive Board Vista Village Association. Tapia has also Founded and served as President of a Non-Profit organization, NAHREP-Vista (National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals). She along with a dedicated Board, recently founded a Scholarship Foundation in honor of a Community Leader; Bill de la Fuente Scholarship Foundation, that will extending scholarships to student who are continuing their University education. She has been a guest Speaker on various platforms to discuss topics such as Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Motivation, and to share her own personal story. Claudia attributes a great part of her personal growth to having had the opportunity of working with great Mentors that have assisted her by providing the clarity she needed to define her final Mission. The Mentorship of Professionals such as: Jose A. Lopez (Entrepreneur), Ernest J. Reyes (National Founder of NAHREP), and Bill de la Fuente (Civic Leader).


For more than 20 years, Claudia has been dedicated to educating our Hispanic families on topics relevant to Mortgage Fraud, Real Estate, and how to protect your rights (Consumer Protection). At present, Claudia is Broker of her own Real Estate Agency, Traditions Real Estate Group. Her newest passion is through a start-up program, Hispana Fit, where she will motivate and guide women to a healthier lifestyle through Four pillars of education. Well-being, healthy habits, Fitness, and Balance in life are elements she considers pivotal to a Happy life. Besides being an entrepreneur and a community influence, she is a Wife and proud mother of 2 girls and 1 boy. In her time of leisure, she is completely dedicated to her family and her primary professional focus is to create a better community for her loved ones.
“Education is power, let us stop being victims of ignorance… Educate and Empower yourself!”
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Henry Vasquez, parliamentarian​FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER

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Henry has served San Diego and Riverside County for 39 years as a Mortgage loan Specialist and Real Estate professional. Henry became a Real Estate Broker in 1993 and started Homeowners Financial in 1997 to specialize in South and North County homes and loans. Henry has joined several lending leaders as Branch Manager recently since January 2013. His current employment with Gem Mortgage as Branch Manager since July 2016, is ranked as a top 50 lenders in the nation to work for. He is currently a member of the Vista Chamber of Commerce, (Past Latino business Committee chair), current board member for St. Francis School Board in Vista, Ca, current board member with Bill de la Fuente scholarship foundation, current Commissioner for the City of Vista Safety Commission and an active member with St Francis Church in Vista, Ca.

​Henry’s mission in life is to lead life with passion and enthusiasm, making a difference with everyone he comes in contact with. He treats every individual with the highest level of honor and respect, while continuing to build long-lasting relationships with integrity and trust. Henry’s daily goal is to the find the best in others, he gives himself 100% effort each day to make this world a bit better.

Born and raised in Imperial Beach, CA, Henry and his wife Maria Eugenia reside in Vista with their daughter Jasmine. Henry enjoys volunteering at his church, coaching soccer, traveling and giving back to his community.


Irma cano, Secretary
​FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER

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Irma Cano Career Technical Education teacher of Business & Finance, Business & Computer applications and Marketing/Social Media. Irma has owned her own business for 20 years and continues to manage her business online. She also has 20 years of rental law experience as a rental property supervisor she is knowledgeable in Rental laws and shares with students the importance of knowing the rental laws to protect their credit. In her 20 years of experience, she has overseen more than 100 employees. Irma has plentiful knowledge on employee rights and discrimination laws. Also has earned several recognition's for her community involvement.

​Another strong area in her course topics is tax preparation through volunteering her services in the community. She participates annually with students in numerous business plan and stock investment competitions. Her objective is to guide students to discover their own future desire whether it be to own their own business some day or to learn how a business operates for the most part, and gain employable skills along the way in her class.

Tony lita, President​FOUNDING BOARD MEMBER

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Tony was born in San Diego and raised for part of his childhood in Oaxaca, Mexico from the age of 6 months to 7 years old. Tony saw two different lifestyles and cultures that taught him a lot about appreciating the little things. 

Tony faced some obstacles for example learning English when he moved back to the US. By his senior year at Rancho Buena Vista High School; he was chosen to be the AVID Senior Standout where he received a scholarship from the CLA and met Bill de la Fuente. After being a scholarship recipient, Tony became a founding Board Member for the Bill de la Fuente Scholarship Foundation. Tony is now the President for the scholarship foundation.

Tony is the first in his generation to go to college. Tony received his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with an emphasis on Management Information Systems at California State University San Marcos. Tony's professional background is in the Medical Device and Technology industry, Tony is currently a Business Systems Analyst at Dexcom.

Josue Rodriguez, Treasurer

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Josue was born and raised in Vista, CA. As an AP student in Vista High School, he was involved in a number of different programs including the Encuentros program where he first met Bill De La Fuente. In the program, Josue and Bill were teamed up to compete against other students in what was known as the leadership scholarship competition. They both worked hard and diligently to write, craft, and present the best speech possible. They were able to win 1st place at the competition, and that was the beginning of their inevitable long term friendship. 

Josue went on to San Marcos State University where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting. He was involved in the Accounting Society at the University where he was the Community College Liaison on the Board. Josue went to many different community colleges to inspire and motivate students to join the Accounting Society at CSUSM. 

After he graduated, Josue worked in audit, tax, but found his true passion working for a non-for-profit as a Staff Accountant. He currently works for North County Lifeline - a company that provides a different array of services such as behavioral health services, child abuse and domestic violence prevention, youth development, housing and self sufficiency etc. As a board member for the Bill De La Fuente Foundation, Josue’s mission is to give back to the community, and inspire others to do the same. He believes that his purpose in this life is to help people realize their fullest potential, and help them conquer any type of barrier they are facing. His philosophy consists of living life with no limitations, going beyond labels/pre-conceptions, and understanding every person that he meets. 

In his free time, Josue enjoys playing the guitar in two bands and is part of the music community in Vista. As a musician, he focuses his time in writing original music and is inspired by his friends, and the musicians he grew up playing with. 

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EIN: 81-4155267
Bill de la Fuente Scholarship Foundation
  • Home
  • Bill de la Fuente
  • Scholarships Awarded
  • Sponsors
  • Upcoming events
  • Supporting our Community
  • Contact Us