Jon R. Viramontes, President and Founding Member
Western Regional Sales Manager, Fellowes
With over 25 years experience in the office products
industry, joined Fellowes in 2006 managing their commercial office products
business in the western Unites States. Fellowes is a leading manufacturer
of Bankers Box storage products, personal and commercial shredders, and
productivity & health and comfort products.
“Several years ago, I was fortunate enough to have been asked what
I thought about an idea to begin an organization that would be built on
a vision, by individuals who have a passion to make a difference in the
lives of others. It was a vision of creating an organization that would
provide young men and women a chance to realize the opportunity of higher
education, benefiting from their hard work, focus and discipline in high
school, which would simply become the foundation for their future. Today,
that vision is META. I am proud to be associated with such individuals
and an organization that give so much back to the community. We're making
a difference one scholarship at a time!”
Rick
Viramontes, Vice President
Account Executive, Silicone Moldmaking Products
“I have always felt the passion to help under-privileged
children in achieving their goals and dreams. Being a Board Member of
the Meta Organization has given me the opportunity to achieve my passion
and give back to my community. This past June 2006, I experienced a Fantastic
Sense of worth being part of Meta, when I personally presented a 4 year
Scholarship to a young lady from La Puente, California who worked hard
for four years and was awarded one of Meta's Annual Scholarships.”
Steves
A. Rodriguez, Treasurer
CPA, London & Co., LLP
Steves is a partner with the accounting firm London
& Co., LLP in West Los Angeles. He provides business management
consultancy and tax services to a wide range of clientele. He has
worked with many of the largest production companies in the United States,
a variety of musical artists, television actors, and directors.
“I believe education is critical to the success of our society as
a whole. Being of Latino origin, I want to be sure that our ethnic group
is part of that success and if I can help in any way to be a part of that,
I want to participate.”
Mike
R. Robledo, Secretary
Regional Sales Manager, Professional Sales Associates
Manufacturers Representative--I have been in the Office
Supply industry since 1978 as both a wholesaler and now a manufacturers'
rep. Professional Sales Associates represents many of the finest office
product companies; Mead Westvaco, Fellowes Inc., Pentel of America, Energizer
Batteries, and Stanley Bostitch to name a few.
“Growing up in the 60's and 70's, I remember a grass roots organization
called the Uni-Vets that reached out to the Hispanic community in Pasadena,
California where I attended schools. I was awarded a small, yet significant
monetary scholarship that assisted me as I continued my education. Today,
META has captured the vision of giving back and reaching out to those
that want to continue their education. I am proud to be a part of this
organization and it gives me tremendous pride to see the next generation
succeed to higher levels of accomplishment.”
Robert J. Mairena, Board Member and Founding Member
President, Office Solutions
"META evolved out of a mounting need in the Hispanic
community to educate our children. The percentage of Hispanic kids who
were completing their 4-year education was considerably lower than the
average American. Hispanics were also less likely to graduate than Asian,
Afro-American and almost all other major ethnic groups. When you consider
that parents with 4-year degrees are more likely to have children who
complete their degrees it is brutally shocking to realize that we will
exponentially lag in education with every subsequent generation. Consequently
we will also fall behind in economic wealth. A reason that I felt compelled
to start this endowment is because I would like to encourage and enable
talented Hispanic youths to pursue college educations by offering scholarships
and mentorship. This was my motivation, to give our youth the opportunities
that come with higher education."
First Vice President, Citi Smith Barney
"I was motivated to be a founding member of META because of the lack of resources available to underprivileged Hispanic youth in Southern California. Further, it was and is disturbing to me that Hispanics don't attend college at the rate of main-stream America. Undeniably, this causes a socio-economic gap that will continue unless the trend is reversed."
Business Owner, Cisco Brothers
In 1985, Francisco and Alba Pinedo started making custom upholstery in the garage of their home. In a highly competitive, design-driven industry, Cisco Brothers quickly distinguished itself with its superior craftsmanship, cutting-edge style, and unparalleled value.
The Pinedo’s are committed to revitalizing and investing in the inner cities which was their motivation for establishing the L.A. Design Center in South Central Los Angeles. They are also committed to support underprivileged kids from the inner city by encouraging them to succeed through higher education.
Associate Professor Business Administration, Whittier College
"I'm a businessman and also a tenured Associate Professor of Business Administration at Whittier College where I teach business courses, proudly mentor Latino students, and serve as the faculty advisor to the Hispanic Student Association. I was the happy recipient of scholarships and grants back in the mid 1960s and again in the mid-1970s that helped support my studies at UC Berkeley and the University of Wisconsin. Hence, I'm honored to be a part of META as our mission is to help Latino college students via financial and mentoring support. "
Russell L. Glauber, Board Member
Managing Partner of Glauber Berenson, Attorneys at Law
"Representing injured and disabled people for
close to 30 years has taught me that although we are placed on this planet
generally in good health, that over the years our bodies deteriorate and our
mind is our greatest asset. My work and relationships that I have developed
in this country, as well as Latin America, has shown me that the only way
that we as a people can lead a happy and prosperous life is one that begins
and ends with education.
When I was a kid, a four-year college education was a step up, but these days, competition is such that even a four-year college education leaves our children in a deficit. And as such, they need any and all help that they can receive to achieve not only a college education, but one with a professional or graduate degree.
It was with this in mind that I was pleased to assist META in its dream to help make education the answer."
Carlos
A. Garcia, Board Member
Business Owner/Councilmember, City of Pico Rivera, CA
“It’s great to be involved with an organization
that impacts the direction of our youth towards a positive and productive
future.”
