Leon Valley councilman gets top honor

Ricardo Ruiz, named Man of the Year by Wahl Clipper, beat out finalists from around the country with his “clever handlebar mustache and goatee combination.” Ricardo Ruiz, named Man of the Year by Wahl Clipper, beat out finalists from around the country with his “clever handlebar mustache and goatee combination.” Photo: Courtesy Photo Photo: Courtesy Photo Image 1 of / 11 Caption Close Leon Valley councilman gets top honor 1 / 11 Back to Gallery

SAN ANTONIO — A Leon Valley City Councilman's mustache was awarded best facial hair in the country Wednesday by a popular grooming products company.

Ricardo Ruiz, named Man of the Year by Wahl Clipper Corp., beat out 14 finalists from around the country with his “clever handlebar mustache and goatee combination,” reeling in $1,000 and, most important, a claim to facial hair fame.

“With a great mustache comes great responsibility,” said Ruiz, 40, who said he has had the upper-lip fashion statement for 20 years.

Ruiz, who won his seat on Leon Valley's City Council last year, said he believes the 'stache gave him “a slight edge” in his election. His handlebar was a major part of his campaign poster.

But the best benefit of his beard comes from the new, random friends he makes in public, he said.

“It's a conversation piece of sorts,” Ruiz said. “People don't typically come up and say 'hi' to strangers anymore. But something about my mustache creates an emotion inside people that causes them to approach me, usually to tell me how much they like it.”

That keeps his spirits high, he said, and sometimes can lift him out of a grumpy mood.

Facial hair popularity is on the rise with 6 in 10 men sporting it at some point during the year, according to Wahl.

Ruiz, who owns the Mexican restaurant Cha-Cha's in Leon Valley, won the San Antonio regional competition four months ago, and was informed of his national victory Monday, he said.

“I was overwhelmed with happiness and pride,” Ruiz said.

Judges for the competition included representatives from Men's Health Magazine, Beard Team USA, the American Mustache Institute, and the Clinton Lumberkings. Each of the 15 finalists took home $500.

Wahl traveled more than 11,000 miles around the country with a 30-foot mobile barbershop to provide grooming tips for dudes and select the finalists.

In 2012, Ruiz put his mustache to good use when he participated in a celebrity boxing benefit at the Joe Freeman Coliseum for the South Texas Hispanic Fund program for scholarships.

As for youngsters itching to grow full-blown facial hair, Ruiz offered some simple advice.

“Just have patience, let it grow, and don't cut off the tips” he said.

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Twitter: @KoltenParker