Metro - Detroit
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SER
Jobs for Progress, Inc.
Chairman's Welcome & History I Today's Amigos I Amigos Luncheon I Amigos Publications I Join the Amigos de SER
The 2007 Amigos de SER Business Recognition Luncheon, held October 30, 2007, marked the 26th year of the formation of
the Amigos de SER and 36 years of service to metropolitan Detroit residents by SER Metro-Detroit. A highlight of the event was the
recognition of some very special individuals that have made major achievements since participating in a SER program and owing to their
own determination and hard work.
Signifacntly contibuting to the succees of this year’s luncheon was the co-sponsorship of the event by Chrysler LLC, Ford Motor Company,
the General Motors Corporation, and MGM Grand Detroit Casino at the Platinum level. Hundreds of leaders from business, government,
community, and education also gathered to help SER Metro-Detroit celebrate its corporate partnership program.
SER was honored to have Dr. Marilyn French Hubbard, Henry Ford Health System’s Corporate Vice-President of Community Partnerships
and Chief Diversity Officer, deliver this year’s Keynote Address. Dr. Hubbard’s message centered on the importance of diversity in today’s
workforce and also, on the benefits of cross-sector partnerships, such as that between the Health System, Henry Ford Community College,
and SER Metro-Detroit, to provide advancement opportunities within the growing field of health care.
SER was also once again, honored to have Ms. Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Director of Community Development and International Strategy
for the Ford Motor Company, serve as Mistress of Ceremonies. The Amigos de SER was spearheaded by Ford Motor Company more than
25 years ago and Ms. Egusquiza continues this relationship with SER today.
As is tradition, an organization that has impacted SER and o ur capacity to better serve our constituency is recognized with the “Amigo of the
Year” award. This year, this award went to the Henry Ford Health System and was accepted by Dr. Hubbard on behalf of the Health
System. The “Journey to Success” is presented to individuals who have made significant achievements by participating in a SER program
and owing to their own hard work and determination. These individuals represent hundreds of success stories, but they are not
representative of the SER story – they ARE the SER story. 2007 “Journey to Success” recipients included: Mr. Anthony Loftis, a GED
program participant who earned his GED and subseqjuently enrolled into the Crinminal Justice program at Wayne College Community
College, and is currently a candidate for the Detroit Police Academy. Ms. Belynda Sykes Coleman was recognized for her achievements in
completing her program at SER and her success at landing a Liability Claims Adjuster position at AAA of Michigan. Ms. Olga Rincones was
recognized for her achievements to advance with the Henry Ford Health System to her current position as Assistant to the Director of Patient
Access aqnd Care Coordination. Mr. Darren Copeland (not picturedd) was also recognized for his success at landing a high wage job with
the Falcon Transporation Company.
SER Metro-Detroit Board Chairman, Mr. Agoberto Benavides of Allstate Insurance, presented Chrysler’s Mr. Leven Weiss with a corproate
impact award,.on behalf of the National SER Corporation, for his personal efforts mainting and strengthening the partnership that the
company maintains with SER National and SER locally.
the Amigos de SER and 36 years of service to metropolitan Detroit residents by SER Metro-Detroit. A highlight of the event was the
recognition of some very special individuals that have made major achievements since participating in a SER program and owing to their
own determination and hard work.
Signifacntly contibuting to the succees of this year’s luncheon was the co-sponsorship of the event by Chrysler LLC, Ford Motor Company,
the General Motors Corporation, and MGM Grand Detroit Casino at the Platinum level. Hundreds of leaders from business, government,
community, and education also gathered to help SER Metro-Detroit celebrate its corporate partnership program.
SER was honored to have Dr. Marilyn French Hubbard, Henry Ford Health System’s Corporate Vice-President of Community Partnerships
and Chief Diversity Officer, deliver this year’s Keynote Address. Dr. Hubbard’s message centered on the importance of diversity in today’s
workforce and also, on the benefits of cross-sector partnerships, such as that between the Health System, Henry Ford Community College,
and SER Metro-Detroit, to provide advancement opportunities within the growing field of health care.
SER was also once again, honored to have Ms. Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Director of Community Development and International Strategy
for the Ford Motor Company, serve as Mistress of Ceremonies. The Amigos de SER was spearheaded by Ford Motor Company more than
25 years ago and Ms. Egusquiza continues this relationship with SER today.
As is tradition, an organization that has impacted SER and o ur capacity to better serve our constituency is recognized with the “Amigo of the
Year” award. This year, this award went to the Henry Ford Health System and was accepted by Dr. Hubbard on behalf of the Health
System. The “Journey to Success” is presented to individuals who have made significant achievements by participating in a SER program
and owing to their own hard work and determination. These individuals represent hundreds of success stories, but they are not
representative of the SER story – they ARE the SER story. 2007 “Journey to Success” recipients included: Mr. Anthony Loftis, a GED
program participant who earned his GED and subseqjuently enrolled into the Crinminal Justice program at Wayne College Community
College, and is currently a candidate for the Detroit Police Academy. Ms. Belynda Sykes Coleman was recognized for her achievements in
completing her program at SER and her success at landing a Liability Claims Adjuster position at AAA of Michigan. Ms. Olga Rincones was
recognized for her achievements to advance with the Henry Ford Health System to her current position as Assistant to the Director of Patient
Access aqnd Care Coordination. Mr. Darren Copeland (not picturedd) was also recognized for his success at landing a high wage job with
the Falcon Transporation Company.
SER Metro-Detroit Board Chairman, Mr. Agoberto Benavides of Allstate Insurance, presented Chrysler’s Mr. Leven Weiss with a corproate
impact award,.on behalf of the National SER Corporation, for his personal efforts mainting and strengthening the partnership that the
company maintains with SER National and SER locally.
The Honorable Kenneth Cockrel Jr., Detroit Council
President welcomes luncheon guests.
President welcomes luncheon guests.
Dr. Marilyn French Hubbard delivers inspiring Keynote Address.
The National SER Corporation recognizes Chrysler's Mr.
Leven Weiss for his personal efforts maintaining and
strengthening the company's partnership with SER
nationally and at the local level in Detroit.
Leven Weiss for his personal efforts maintaining and
strengthening the company's partnership with SER
nationally and at the local level in Detroit.
Mistress of Ceremonies, the Ford Fund's Ms. Raquel
"Rocky" Equsquiza.
"Rocky" Equsquiza.
2007 Amigos de SER Business Recognition Luncheon
Frank D. Stella, President/CEO, Frank D. Stella
Products And Chairman of Amigos de SER;
Raymond Lozano, Executive Director, Michigan
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and SER Metro
Detroit Board member.
Products And Chairman of Amigos de SER;
Raymond Lozano, Executive Director, Michigan
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and SER Metro
Detroit Board member.
Pictured (l-r) Frank Lopez, Southest Michigan Community Alliance Workforce Development Board
Chairman; Dr. Gail Mee, President/CEO, Henry Ford Community College; Linda; Forte, Senior Vice-
President Business Affairs, Comerica, Inc; Eva Garza Dewaelsche, President/CEO, SER Metro-
Detroit; Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Director of Community Development and International Strategy,
Ford Motor Company Fund; Monica Martinez, Vice-President Hispanic Affiars, Comerica Inc; David
Ambroziak, Comerica Bank.
Chairman; Dr. Gail Mee, President/CEO, Henry Ford Community College; Linda; Forte, Senior Vice-
President Business Affairs, Comerica, Inc; Eva Garza Dewaelsche, President/CEO, SER Metro-
Detroit; Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Director of Community Development and International Strategy,
Ford Motor Company Fund; Monica Martinez, Vice-President Hispanic Affiars, Comerica Inc; David
Ambroziak, Comerica Bank.
SER Metro-Detroit President/CEO Eva Garza
Dewaelsche.
Dewaelsche.
Ford Motor Company Sponsor.
Dr. Gail Mee, President/CEO of Henry Ford
Community College; Frank Stella, Amigos de SER
Chairman; and Robert Jones, AT & T Michigan’s
Vice-President of External Affairs.
Community College; Frank Stella, Amigos de SER
Chairman; and Robert Jones, AT & T Michigan’s
Vice-President of External Affairs.
The Honorable Robert Ficano, Wayne County
Executive; George Boyer, President/COO, MGM
Grand Detroit Casino.
Executive; George Boyer, President/COO, MGM
Grand Detroit Casino.
Horacio Vargas, Executive Director of LA SED and
SER Board member, with Orlando Padilla, Director
of Corporate and Government Relations, General
Motors Corporation.
SER Board member, with Orlando Padilla, Director
of Corporate and Government Relations, General
Motors Corporation.
Vincent Kountz, (Beaure of the Census); Raymond
Lozano, (Michigan Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce); Raquel Egusquiza (Ford Fund);
Frederick Feliciano (Hispanic Business Alliance);
and, Trevor Lauer (DTE Energy).
Lozano, (Michigan Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce); Raquel Egusquiza (Ford Fund);
Frederick Feliciano (Hispanic Business Alliance);
and, Trevor Lauer (DTE Energy).
President/CEO Eva Garza Dewaelsche, presents “Journey to Success” Award to Antonio Loftis, Belynda Sykes-Coleman and Olga Rincones.
Shown with Amigo de SER Chairman, Frank D. Stella and SER President/CEO, Eva Garza
Dewaelsche, Dr. Marilyn French Hubbard accepts the 2007 Amigo of the Year award on
behalf of Henry Ford Heatlh System
Dewaelsche, Dr. Marilyn French Hubbard accepts the 2007 Amigo of the Year award on
behalf of Henry Ford Heatlh System
As is tradition, SER Metro-Detroit holds a career fair on the morning of its annual luncheon to provide job seekers with an
opportunity to meet with employers, complete job applications, and/or discuss advancement opportunities with admissions
representatives from institutions of higher education and post secondary career training schools. The Career Fair is open
to SER Metro-Detroit and Michigan Works! participants and the general public.
opportunity to meet with employers, complete job applications, and/or discuss advancement opportunities with admissions
representatives from institutions of higher education and post secondary career training schools. The Career Fair is open
to SER Metro-Detroit and Michigan Works! participants and the general public.
Global Information Technology
Blue Cross
Career Fair Attendee completes job application
A T & T Michigan
Greektown Casino
Career Fair
Chairman's Welcome & History I Today's Amigos I Amigos Luncheon I Amigos Publications I Join the Amigos de SER