Hector Sabido: A Legacy of Leadership and Love for Waco
Hector Sabido:Cultural Wealth Solid Gold Neighbor
Jeremy Vickers, Associate Vice President, External Affairs
As members sit in a board meeting for Inspiracion, a burst of infectious laughter followed by a charming smile cause the room to pause, cutting through the tension around the table. A sigh of relief is felt collectively. Hector Sabido, board chair, knows how to disarm a difficult conversation at just the right moment, refocusing the group on their greater purpose: helping children and their families at Alta Vista Elementary ensure they are Kindergarten-ready. These families, Hector reminds the group, are often Latino and depend heavily on the information the program provides to prepare their children for school in Waco ISD through Transformation Waco.
A self-proclaimed "Waco Boy," Hector attended Baylor University before pursuing an MBA at Tarleton State University. Hector is not just any local son; however, he follows a legacy of family community engagement and leadership, which inspired him to pursue his current, and perhaps most important, public role. Today, Hector serves his community of South Waco, the Baylor University area, and a large part of downtown Waco as Council Member for District Two. This legacy began in his childhood home watching his father and other family members serve their community, a model he has more than taken to heart.
Hector was sworn into office May 2019, but prior to this time served on numerous city boards and commissions, including the Budget and Audit Committee, the Boards and Commissions Committee, the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the Waco-McLennan County Joint Airport Zoning Board. He also serves on the Animal Welfare Advisory Board, the City of Waco, McLennan County, City of Waco and Waco ISD Intergovernmental Relations Committees, and the 2020 Census Complete Count Committee.
Hector is not only civically engaged, but serves the non-profit community with the same passion and purpose. He serves on the boards of the Art Center of Waco, the Waco Hispanic Museum, the Historic Waco Foundation, Voices Against Substance Abuse (VASA), and the Waco Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities. As a result of his significant community work, the Greater Waco Chamber recognized Hector this year in their first annual Waco Under 40 Award.
When asked why he does this work and what his purpose is, Hector humbly submits that he wants to serve the community that served him so well, the community that provided him the opportunity to learn and lead, and play a small part in making Waco prosperous for all, including his two beautiful children.