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Josue “Joe” Robles Jr. Named 2011 Horatio Alger Award Recipient
President and Chief Executive Officer of USAA to be Inducted this Spring for Overcoming Adversity

WASHINGTON, February 4, 2011 – The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans is pleased to announce that Josue “Joe” Robles Jr., president and chief executive officer of USAA, will receive the 2011 Horatio Alger Award in recognition of his personal and professional success despite humble and challenging beginnings.

Robles will be formally inducted into the association when he accepts the Horatio Alger Award on April 8, 2011, in Washington, D.C. Recipients of the award have overcome great adversity to achieve admirable accomplishments, to serve as examples of achieving the American Dream, and to offer countless hours and resources to help others in need.

“We are pleased to induct Joe Robles into the Horatio Alger Association and pay tribute to his success in the face of hardship,” said Tony Novelly, president and CEO, Horatio Alger Association. “The 2011 members are extraordinary role models of strength, resolve and achievement and will help to continue our mission of helping young people achieve similar success.”

Robles, the eldest of nine children, was born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico. When he was three, he immigrated with his family to the United States. His father worked for the next 35 years in the steel mill in Lorain, Ohio and, when he was in high school, Robles worked alongside his father at the mill. Following his high school graduation in 1964, Robles was drafted into the Army. For the next 28 years he worked his way from platoon leader to major general. During that time, he completed his education at Kent State University, with a degree in accounting, and at Indiana State University, where he earned an MBA.

In 1994, Robles retired from the military to provide more stability for his autistic son, who had a hard time moving from place to place because of military demands. He joined USAA as special assistant to the chairman, and later that year was named Chief Financial Officer. He assumed the position of president and chief executive officer in 2007, and his leadership style blended the values he learned in the military with business strategies that has kept USAA moving forward through the recent economic crisis. Robles was named 2009’s Innovator of the Year by American Banker.

During his military career, Robles was recognized numerous times for service and honor. He received the Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Legion of Merit with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. In 2009, The Christian Science Monitor named Robles the No. 1 Veteran in Business, and in 2010, he led the record-setting campaign for the San Antonio United Way. He serves on the boards of directors of The Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas San Antonio Branch, DTE Energy, the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System, the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children’s Hospital Foundation, and the P16Plus Council of Greater Bexar County Foundation.

Robles will be honored among 11 other remarkable individuals who will receive the 2011 award for their hard work, self-reliance and perseverance:

• Roger Eugene Ailes, Chairman and CEO, FOX News and Chairman,  Fox Television Stations Group
• Anousheh Ansari, Co-Founder and CEO, Prodea Systems, Inc. and Spaceflight Participant, Russian Space Program
• Michael R. Bloomberg, Mayor, City of New York and Founder and Owner,Bloomberg, L.P.
• Leonardo DiCaprio,  Actor and Film Producer
• Frederic V. Malek, Founder and Chairman, Thayer Lodging Group
• Harry S. Patten, Founder, Chairman and CEO, National Land Partners, LLC and Inland Management
• James E. “Jim” Rohr, Chairman and CEO, PNC Financial Services Group (PNC Bank)
• Glenn Stearns, Chairman and Owner, Stearns Corporation
• Byron David Trott, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer, BDT Capital Partners, LLC
• Rick Waugh, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director, Scotiabank (International Award Recipient–Canada)
• Herbert  A. “Herbie” Wertheim, Chairman and CEO, Brain Power, Inc., Chairman, Dr. Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Family Foundation, and Founding Chairman, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine Florida International University

In addition, the 2011 Norman Vincent Peale Award will be presented to Doré Energy Corporation President William J. Doré. The Norman Vincent Peale Award is annually conferred on an association member who has made exceptional humanitarian contributions to society, who has been an active participant in the association, and who continues to exhibit courage, tenacity and integrity in the face of great challenges. The award is named in honor of Dr. Peale, who has been an outstanding leader of the association for more than 40 years. 

The 2011 members will receive their awards at the 2011 Horatio Alger Awards Induction Ceremonies in Washington, D.C. Activities include three days of meetings and celebrations in some of the nation’s most historic buildings. The Horatio Alger National Scholars, remarkable high school seniors who have excelled despite adversity, also will be formally honored during the three-day gathering.

A complete list of all of the Horatio Alger Members can be found at http://www.horatioalger.org/members.cfm.

About The Horatio Alger Association
Founded in 1947, the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans continues to fulfill its mission of honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals in our society who have succeeded in spite of adversity and of encouraging young people to pursue their dreams through higher education. The Horatio Alger Association offers three annual scholarship programs: the National Scholarship Program, state scholarship programs, and graduate grants. The association will have awarded more than $87 million in scholarships through 2012 to at-risk students determined to earn college degrees. The association is a Combined Federal Campaign participant; # 77062. For more information, please visit www.horatioalger.org

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