IU South Bend alumnus Isaac Torres was among five recipients of the 2019 Indiana University Distinguished Alumni Service Award, the highest award IU gives to its alumni. Recipients are leaders who make significant contributions benefiting their community, state, nation, or university. Of the 345 IU alumni honored since the award's inception in 1953, Torres is the second IU South Bend Titan to receive the Distinguished Alumni Service Award. Alma Powell, BS'70, MS'72, Hon. DHL'12, received the award in 2010.
IU President Michael McRobbie presented the award to Isaac P. Torres, along with IU South Bend Chancellor Susan Elrod and IU Alumni Association Chief Executive Officer JT. Forbes at a fall ceremony in Bloomington. Torres received this award both for his work professionally and for his commitment to giving back to the community in which he lives.
In his acceptance speech, Torres described his belief that our measure is seen in service to others. “I not only accept this award for myself but also for those deserving individuals that think it impossible to be in my shoes, but work tirelessly and selflessly to get there,” he said.
Isaac’s journey reveals a compelling portrait of a Latino immigrant who came to the United States with the desire to learn and achieve excellence in his life. His service and achievements in his field of international finance have provided Isaac and his family with the chance to truly achieve and live the “American Dream.”
Isaac is a CPA with a bachelor in accounting from the National Autonomous University of Mexico. He came to the United States in 1995 to study at IU South Bend, where he earned his MBA at the Judd Leighton School of Business and Economics in 2000.
While working on his MBA, Isaac presented a visionary idea in a class project. Isaac saw a gap in the international money transfer industry, ignited by his experience trying to send money to his mother in Mexico. He realized a need to make the money transfer process more efficient and affordable, recognizing there were thousands of immigrants like himself who needed to send money to support their families abroad. Through the support of his professors, Isaac ultimately founded InterCambio Express, Inc. in 1999.
Isaac remarked about his company's philosophy that forms the foundation of its success. "Our philosophy is to be the best value in the industry of money transfers. The idea of InterCambio Express grew out of a desire to provide cheap and efficient rates for the low-income population who not only have to pay their bills and provide for their families here in the U.S., but also send money to Latin America to cover the basic needs of their relatives and friends as well."
I know that my job serving the community, and the new generations, has just begun. The plan is to improve the Isaac P. Torres Family Scholarship at IUSB so that one day, I am in the audience listening to an acceptance speech from a recipient of our scholarship.
Isaac P. Torres
Today, InterCambio Express, Inc. is ranked consistently among the top five companies in the industry. It currently has 1,700 agents in 36 states (and the District of Columbia). Giving back to the community is one of the company’s core values, as Torres demonstrates continually.
Isaac Torres and his wife Conchita Villa are extremely generous and active in their community. The Torres’ established the Isaac P. Torres Family School of Business and Economics Scholarship at IU South Bend that supports low-income business students with big dreams, and funded the renovation of the Isaac P. Torres Family Data Analytics Lab. Conchita is on the IUSB Advisory Board. The Torres’ were leaders in the capital campaign to rebuild the Children’s Hospital at Beacon Health System making not only a major personal gift, but rallying the support of other individuals and companies in their personal and professional circle. Isaac and his family are also deeply involved with La Casa de Amistad, volunteering and sponsoring activities personally and through the business.
InterCambio Express supports charitable efforts annually, through giving, sponsorship, and services.
“I know that my job serving the community, and the new generations, has just begun,” says Torres. “The plan is to improve the Isaac P. Torres Family Scholarship at IUSB so that one day, I am in the audience listening to an acceptance speech from a recipient of our scholarship.”
Congratulations to Isaac P. Torres for receiving the IU Distinguished Alumni Services Award in recognition of all he’s achieved.