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Mexican Industries' Aguirre Elected To the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

30 September 1998

Mexican Industries' Aguirre Elected To the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

 Appointment Occurs During Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 - October 15

    DETROIT, Sept. 30 -- Pam Aguirre, CEO and Chairman of the
Board at Mexican Industries, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the
United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC).
    On Friday night, September 25 at the 19th annual National Convention of
the USHCC in Kansas City, MO, Aguirre was chosen from a field of five
prominent Hispanic business owners to fill one of two vacant seats.  She will
serve on the board for a three year term beginning January 1999.
    Lobbying strongly for the seat, Aguirre used banners, posters and letters
to delegates to spread the word about her accomplishments and capabilities, as
well as the heritage and mission of Mexican Industries.  "I really feel this
is a wonderful opportunity for me to extend the reach of my father's (late
Detroit Tiger Hank Aguirre) mission," Aguirre said.  "I feel very privileged
to be asked to serve.  I am especially happy that this appointment occurred
during Hispanic Heritage Month."
    The USHCC is the nation's leading Hispanic business organization and
represents the interests of over a million Hispanic-owned businesses and 250
Hispanic Chambers of Commerce.
    Nestor Fernandez, Chairman of the Board of the Michigan Hispanic Chamber
of Commerce, wrote to the USHCC that Aguirre demonstrates " ... the caliber of
leadership which is the requirement for a successful Hispanic business woman
to compete in the global market."
    Aguirre is very active in a number of Detroit area causes, boards and non-
profits, especially those designed to benefit the Hispanic Community of
southwest Detroit.  She currently serves on the following boards: Michigan
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce; Children's Center; Detroit Economic Club; LASED;
Ser-Metro; The Detroit Chapter of The Boy Scouts of America; the Michigan
Minority Business Development Council, and CATCH.
    In addition, Aguirre's business success was recognized nationally with
1998 "Entrprenuerial Success" Award from the U.S. Small Business
Administration.  She was also recently honored as having "One of the Top 50
Women Owned Businesses" by Working Woman Magazine.  Also, Lawrence
Technological University granted Aguirre an Honorary Doctor of Humanities, in
May 1998, in recognition of her community involvement and business leadership.
    Mexican Industries is a minority-owned, family-run automotive supplier of
leather wrapped steering wheels, driver and passenger side air bags, tire
covers, consoles, arm rests and other automotive soft trim products.  The
company, in Southwest Detroit, has 8 plants and employs 1,500 people, most of
whom are Hispanic.