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The 2008 Amigos de SER Business Recognition Luncheon, held on November 5, 2008, by all accounts was a major success owing to the participation of Mr. Philip R. Martins, President, Light Vehicle Systems, Arvinmeritor and President/CEO Designate, ARVIN Innovation, Inc., as Keynote Speaker.  Mr. Martins gave an exciting and inspirational message to the hundreds of guests in attendance.  SER is extremely honored with Mr. Martin’s participation in this way. 

The 2008 Amigos de SER Business Recognition Luncheon celebrated the 27th year of the formation of the Amigos de SER Business Advisory Council and 37 years of service to metropolitan Detroit residents by SER Metro-Detroit.  


Mr. Philip R. Martins, President Light Vehicle Systems, ArvinMeritor & President/CEO Designate, ARVIN Innovation, delivers Keynote Address

Mr. Frank D. Stella, Amigos de SER Chairman and Mr. Philip R. Martens, Keynote Speaker

Brother Francis Boylan, csc, President/CEO, Holy Cross Children’s Services provides Invocation

2008 Amigo of the Year: Mr. W. Frank Fountain, Senior Vice-President, Government Relations & Public Policy, Chrysler LLC

Pictured with Mr. Fountain (l-r) are: Mr. Leven Weiss, Senior Manager of Civic & Community Affairs, Chrysler, LLC; Mr. Frank D. Stella, President, F.D. Stella Products & Chairman Amigos de SER; President/CEO SER Metro-Detroit, Ms. Eva Garza Dewaelsche; and, Mr. Agoberto Benavides of Allstate Insurance & Chairman of SER Metro Detroit

Ms. Rocky Egusquiza serves as MC of 2008 Amigos de SER Luncheon

Mr. Frank D. Stella, President F.D. Stella Products and Amigo de SER Business Advisory Council Chairman

Mr. Philip R. Martins, President Light Vehicle Systems, ArvinMeritor & President/CEO Designate, ARVIN Innovation, delivers Keynote Address     


2008 Amigos de SER Business Recognition Luncheon

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"Journey to Success awardees represent hundreds of success stories, but they are not representative of the SER story - they ARE the SER story."

~ Eva Garza Dewaelsche, President & CEO

As is tradition, SER also recognizes, with the “Journey to Success” award, some very special individuals. Recognized for their significant achievements since participating in a SER program, 2008 awardees included: former Computerized Accounting Program student, Ms. Angela Salgado who currently holds the position of human resource team leader at ArvinMeritor, Inc; former Project Zero participant, Ms. Bernadine Martin, who helps youth succeed through a non-profit that she established (Building Better Adults); and, former Clerical Training Program student, Ms. Kimberly Wray-Norman, who holds a senior level position at Blue Cross/Blue Shield Michigan and is currently pursuing a PhD at Eastern Michigan University.

Honorable Mayor Kenneth V. Cockrel, Jr. welcomed luncheon guests

Ms. Kimberly Wray-Norman; Ms. Angela Salgado; and, Ms. Bernadine Martin, pictured with Mr. PhilipMartens

SER was honored to have Ms. Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Director of Community Development and International Strategy for the Ford Motor Company Fund, serve as Mistress of Ceremonies of the annual event.  In so doing, Ms. Egusquiza carries on the tradition of Ford Motor of investing into SER and our constituency in order to enhance lives and livelihoods of Detroit residents and strengthen communities.  Ford also spearheaded the Amigos de SER Business Advisory Council more than 25 years ago.

A highlight of the event was the recognition of Mr. W. Frank Fountain's Amigo of the Year, an award presented to an individual or corporation that has had a significant impact on SER's capacity to provide its education and training programs. We are proud to recognize Mr. Fountain for his personal efforts in cultivating and strengthening the partnership that SER has enjoyed with Chrysler LLC for many years.