158th Annual Meeting and Cherry Pie Festival

The 158th Cherry Pie Festival and Annual Meeting was held Thursday night, February 19th, at the US Ambassador's Residence, hosted by Ambassador Ronald D. Johnson and Mrs. Alina Johnson.

President Bill Biese and Treasurer Robert Sonnenberger reported that the society is in strong financial condition. Executive Director Aliki Elias said that ABS delivered more than 3,500 services to Americans in need in 2025. 1st Vice President Frances Huttanus announced the slate of board members for 2026. We were honored to have with us the director general of the ABC Hospital, Ing. José María Zubiría.

Executive Director Aliki Elias presented the 2026 Herb L. Wallace Lifetime Community Service Award to the Dan Defossey.

At the end of the event everyone enjoyed Cherry Pie and ice cream in honor of our first president.

FULL TEXT OF THE HERB L. WALLACE LIFETIME COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD PRESENTATION

It is now time to announce the recipient of the 2026 Herbert L. Wallace Lifetime Community Service Award.

This honor was created to remember our dear friend, Herb Wallace, who, alongside his wife Pituca, served as a pillar of the American community for decades. From the Salvation Army and the Cosmopolitan Club to the American Benevolent Society, Herb supported our most cherished organizations. For this reason, this award is reserved for those whose service is defined by both exceptional quality and long-term commitment.

Our honoree was born in Long Island and earned his degree from Columbia University. He began his career as an educator teaching underprivileged children before transitioning to the tech world, eventually relocating to Mexico to work for one of the industry's leading companies.

Restless and eager to give back to his adopted homeland, he eventually ventured into the unknown. Despite having no experience in the field, he and a close friend bought an Airstream food truck in 2013. What started as a humble venture has since become a culinary and and cultural landmark.

By now, many of you know exactly who I am speaking about. But let me be clear: this award is not for his business acumen or his legendary brisket. It is for what he has done for this country and for American culture within Mexico. He has become a true bridge between our two cultures through the medium of food and community. He once said “This is the power of being able to share my beautiful American culture with Mexico. And this is how I can give back to the country that has embraced me so much.”

His restaurants and events serve as a model of inclusion, consistently hosting and hiring individuals from all walks of life. For the past 12 years, he has hosted "Thanksgiving for Heroes," his way of giving back to those less fortunate.

His guests have included: Street cleaners and COVID-19 frontline workers, Women from the “Manos a la Olla” program in the Delegacion Miguel Hidalgo, Victims of Hurricane Otis in Acapulco, members of the Association of Bone marrow donors and recipients, and patients from the Clinica Brimex of ABC Hospital, among many others.

Our own ABS beneficiaries have been recipients of his generosity. During Covid, he sent Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to our most vulnerable, and for the past three years, he has hosted ABS for fourth of July celebrations.

As one of our board members noted, "I feel lucky to have him as a friend, and we are all lucky to have him as part of the expat community. As a leader, he has done more to help US-Mexico relations than anyone I know".

He is always willing to step up for his community. Doug Hall, former president of the University of Georgia Alumni Association, recalls a time when a football game kicked off hours before the restaurant was set to open—our honoree opened the doors for them anyway.

In every endeavor, he puts his heart into his work with the signature smile and friendly manner we all know so well. His achievements make us all proud to call him a friend.

It is my great honor to present the 2026 Herbert L. Wallace Lifetime Community Service Award to Dan DeFossey—of Pinche Gringo Barbacue.