The Andalusian Association of Marble Entrepreneurs (AEMA) has awarded, in an emotional ceremony held on September 21, the title of ‘Honorary President’ to Mr. Francisco Martínez-Cosentino Justo in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the development and promotion of the natural stone sector and innovative surfaces in the Marble Region. The decision was taken, unanimously, during an ordinary session of the Board of Directors of AEMA, which highlighted the countless efforts made by Martínez-Cosentino since his appointment as president of AEMA in 1983, and which have left a lasting mark on the sector and the region.
Francisco Martínez-Cosentino Justo, president of the Cosentino Group since 1979, was also president of AEMA from 1983 to 1988. Under his mandate, important actions were carried out in the areas of innovation, commercialization, internationalization, marketing and Corporate Social Responsibility, concepts that today, 40 years later, are fundamental. His vision and leadership led him to launch, among other initiatives, the Master Plan for the Sierra de Macael and the prestigious Marble Region Awards, today known as the Macael Awards.
At the event, which brought together businessmen from the marble sector, as well as business leaders and authorities, Mr. Francisco Martínez-Cosentino Justo was presented with a very special gift as a token of gratitude and appreciation. It is an impressive bust sculpted in Macael White Marble, the work of the renowned sculptor Navarro Arteaga, which captures the essence and dedication of his person over the years. In his speech, Francisco Martínez-Cosentino Justo said he was “very honored with this recognition” and recalled that it was in AEMA where he began his public life. “Together we have built
a strong association, whose major mission is to uplift this province. A partnership based on the human values of acting with honesty and empathy,” he said. Martínez-Cosentino Justo is a great supporter of associations and assured that “working for others is the greatest thing in the world, the greatest personal satisfaction”. With humility, he said that “where I have arrived, I have not arrived alone, a team has arrived. I have a lot to thank all the teams that have been with me”. And he offered a piece of advice: “In life you have to surround yourself with people who are smarter than you.
During his speech, Jesús Posadas, recently re-elected president of AEMA, expressed his deep respect and admiration for the honoree. “Francisco Martinez-Cosentino Justo has been a true visionary in our industry,” he said. “Their actions and unwavering commitment to innovation, internationalization and Corporate Social Responsibility have laid the foundation for the continued success of our industry.”
In addition to commemorating Martínez-Cosentino Justo’s invaluable contribution to AEMA and the industry, the event also served as a reminder of the importance of unity and collaboration in the Andalusian marble industry. The need to continue advancing and developing strategies to ensure a prosperous future for the region was underscored. The Andalusian Marble Entrepreneurs Association hopes that this recognition will inspire future generations of entrepreneurs and leaders to follow the example of Francisco Martínez-Cosentino, and to contribute to the sustainable growth of the industry.
