Ser Metro-detroit Honors Community Partnerships And Program Graduates During Annual Business Luncheon, Oct. 24

Senior Vice President of PepsiCo and creator of Flamin' Hot® Cheetos®, Richard P. Montañez, to deliver keynote address. End Quote

Detroit, MI (1888PressRelease) October 19, 2013 - SER Metro-Detroit, Jobs for Progress, Inc., will host its annual Amigos de SER Business Recognition Luncheon 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 24 at the Detroit Marriott at the Renaissance Center, 400 Renaissance Dr. W., Detroit. The annual luncheon honors SER's successful partnerships with corporate, education and nonprofit organizations and the outstanding achievements of recent program graduates. Richard P. Montañez, executive, Multicultural Sales & Community Activation at PepsiCo North America, will deliver the keynote address.

"Today's job market requires workers to have higher level skills, post-secondary education and occupational skills training for new and emerging industries," said Eva Garza Dewaelsche, president and CEO of SER Metro-Detroit. "We are proud of the role our organization has played to help individuals meet those requirements and obtain gainful employment, career advancement, social and economic equity and improved life opportunities."

Montañez is a nationally renowned motivational speaker, who has worked his way to the top of a successful career. He began at Frito-Lay as a janitor in 1976 and has since been recognized as the creator of the Flamin' Hot product line, including Flamin' Hot Cheetos, which influenced future ethnic products and the first Frito-Lay Hispanic marketing team. He has been featured in Newsweek, Fortune 500, and was recognized as one of the most influential Hispanic's in corporate America in Hispanic Lifestyle magazine.

This year's "access for all" theme focuses on equal employment opportunities, as well as strengthening the workforce for new and developing industries. SER Metro-Detroit will recognize 10 graduates and students for their ongoing success at this year's Amigos de SER Luncheon.

Four students will receive the "Journey to Success Award":

• Ashley Collins of the Year Round Youth Program
• Abigail Miramontes of the Year Round Youth Program
• Luis Leija of the SER YouthBuild Construction Institute
• Ceairia Haynes of the Partnership, Accountability, Training, Hope Program

Six students also will be recognized for their success in various SER programs including:

• Alicia Cuevas of the Center for Working Families
• Corrien Hurst of the SER YouthBuild Construction Institute
• Sala Reid of the Partnership, Accountability, Training, Hope Program
• Dominga Davis of the Partnership, Accountability, Training Hope Program and the SER learning Academy
• Jonas Doku of the REEPTP Green Jobs Training Program
• Khomeini Leguen of the Center for Working Families

In addition to receiving SER's "Journey to Success Award," Ashley Collins and Abigail Miramontes will each receive $1,000 from the Frank D. Stella Scholarship Program.

"PepsiCo strives to create an environment where employees are fully aware of their potential and capabilities to improve and grow in our industry," said Montañez. "Both PepsiCo and SER Metro-Detroit are committed to helping individuals gain the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the workplace. That is why it is an honor for me to speak at this year's 2013 Amigos de SER Business Recognition Luncheon."

SER is committed to the cultivation of today's workforce and to helping families and communities in need. The monies raised from this year's luncheon will help support SER's adult and youth services programs. Tickets to the 2013 Annual Amigos de SER Business Recognition Luncheon can be purchased at the door for $90 per person or in advance by calling Nora Gutierrez (313) 846-2240 ext. 4228 or via email at amigosluncheon ( @ ) sermetro dot org dot

The presenting sponsor for the 2013 Amigos de SER Business Recognition luncheon is Pepsi Beverages Company.

Honorary co-chairs include: John Almstadt, Michigan Works! Oakland County; N. Charles Anderson, Detroit Urban League; Rev. Wendell Anthony, Detroit NAACP; Mayor Dave Bing, City of Detroit; Brother Francis Boylan, csc, Holy Cross Children's Services; William C. Brooks, BPI Communications; Mark C. Carter, Ecorse Housing Commission; Frank Casillas, Former US Assistant Secretary of Labor; JoAnn Chavez, DTE Energy Company; Maura Corrigan, MI Department of Human Services; John Dingell, US House of Representatives; Cindy Estrada, UAW; Edward Fernandez, WXYZ-Channel 7; Robert Ficano, Wayne County; Judge Patricia Perez Fresard, Third Judicial Circuit Court of Michigan; Linda Forte, Comerica Bank; Cathy Garrett, Wayne County, Elena Herrada, Detroit Public Schools; Dr. Curtis Ivery, Wayne County Community College District; Hassan Jaber, ACCESS; Saunteel Jenkins, Detroit City Council; Dr. Stanley Jensen, Henry Ford Community College; Peter Karmanos, Jr., Compuware Corporation; David Baker Lewis, Detroit Employment Solutions Corp.; Tracy Matis, The Pepsi Bottling Group; Walter Middlebrook, The Detroit News; Jim Murray, AT&T of Michigan; Benny Napoleon, Wayne County; Sandra Hughes O'Brien, O'Brien Law Office, PLLC; Judge Maria Luisa Oxholm, Civil Division; Gary Peters, US House of Representatives; Eric E. Peterson, General Motors Company; Greg Pitoniak, SEMCA; Jose Reyes, Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation; Nina Rodriguez, Bank of America; Harvey Santana, State of Michigan; Nancy M. Schlichting, Henry Ford Health System; Virgil Smith, State of Michigan; Gov. Rick Snyder, State of Michigan; Shirley Stancato, New Detroit Inc.; Stephen P. Stella, Simon, Stella & Zingas P.C.; Camilo Suero, Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Jim Vella, Chrysler, LLC; Avery K. Williams, Williams Acosta, PLLC; and Steven J. Zanella, MGM Grand Detroit.

About SER Metro-Detroit Jobs for Progress, Inc.
SER Metro-Detroit is a multiservice Michigan Corporation dedicated to the development and utilization of the nation's workforce. The verb ser means "to be." SER Metro-Detroit recognizes each individuals need "to be" successful in their pursuit of employment. For more than 41 years SER has provided innovative programs to meet the needs of employers, while connecting individuals with high growth and highly skilled employment opportunities. For more information about SER Metro-Detroit Jobs for Progress, Inc., visit www.sermetro.org.

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