
In 1989 Mr. Armendariz founded a technology company and served as its CEO until its sale to a public concern in 2000. While CEO he and his company earned many awards and distinctions including being named to INC Magazine’s 500 fastest growing companies in America, as well as being a finalist for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
In 2001 Mr. Armendariz accepted an appointment by President George W. Bush to the US Small Business Administration (SBA). In this position he oversaw the Federal Government’s small business procurement policy, business development initiatives, training and other programs aimed to assist American businesses grow and flourish.
In addition to his duties at the SBA he also worked with Senior White House staff in crafting the President’s Management Agenda (PMA). This project had a focus of bringing private sector best practices to government in an effort to promote efficiency and transparency. His work on the PMA centered on competitive sourcing and procurement programs and policy.
In 2005 Mr. Armendariz returned to California and was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as Chairman of the Alcohol Beverage Control Board (ABC). He served in this position for over 8 years serving both Governor Schwarzenegger and subsequently Governor Edmund G. Brown, becoming the longest serving Chairman of the ABC in the history of California.
Mr. Armendariz is a graduate of the University of Southern California and is active in many civic and philanthropic organizations. He has sat on several private and public boards and commissions including:The Federal Procurement Council, the Presidents Commission for Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, Saddleback College, Business Credit Leasing, the Orange County Lincoln Club, and is a retired reserve Deputy Sheriff with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. He resides in Orange County, California with his wife Amy and their 3 children.








“I’m very proud to be a member of the ProcureAmerica team,” says Mr. Denburg. “Our combination of industry-leading specialists and best-in- class tools and processes allow us to deliver the impressive results that our clients have come to expect.”






He has also been honored as "Attorney of the Year" by the Orange County (CA) Hispanic Bar Association, and as "International Businessperson of the Year" by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Orange County (CA). He was also recently designated as of one of the top 500 most influential business leaders in Orange County by the Orange County Business Journal. He has also formerly served on the Board of Directors of the Lincoln Club of Orange County and The New Majority.
Government Service:
- 2002: President George W. Bush appointed Mr. Cruz as a Member of the Federal Service Impasses Panel.
- 2005: Mr. Cruz was appointed by then California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as a Commissioner to the California Gambling Control Commission
- 2007: Governor Schwarzenegger appointed Mr. Cruz as his Appointments Secretary. During his tenure, Mr. Cruz vetted applicants and made recommendations for over 3000 gubernatorial appointments. Mr. Cruz served as Appointments Secretary until the end of Governor Schwarzenegger’s term in office.