Outstanding Alumnus of the Year
William J. Handal, the minister of finance for the Republic of El Salvador and a 1974 Southeastern graduate, was honored at this year’s homecoming celebration as the 2007 Alumnus of the Year.
A graduate of the College of Business with a bachelor’s degree in economics, Handal was honored and participated in the university’s homecoming activities that weekend.
Handal was appointed to the El Saladoran cabinet-level position in 2006 after distinguishing himself in the business world with a long time career with Taca International Airlines. He joined the company in 1975 after completing his studies at Southeastern. After serving in a variety of positions in finance, planning and control, sales, traffic and marketing, he was appointed vice president and general manager of the company, which is headquartered in San Salvador.
Handal accepted the offer to become the Minister of Finance for his country after a four-hour conversation with President Antonio Saca Gonzalez. In his position – equivalent to the position of the U.S. Treasury Secretary - Handal also serves as a governor to the International Monetary Fund, alternate governor to the Inter- American Development Bank and the World Bank, and vice president of the Board of Ministers of Finance of Central America, Panama and the Dominican Republic.
