Calendar Of Events
New Jersey City University Hosts PRIMER
01/08/2009
First 2009 Networking Session – January 8, 2009
Dear PRIMER familia:
PRIMER members demonstrated their firm commitment to making 2009 a great year for PRIMER. In a windy and cold evening, 50 PRIMER members and guests participated in a premier and memorable event, organized by PRIMER in collaboration with Dr. Carlos Hernandez, President of New Jersey City University, and his assistant, Virginia Melendez. Our most sincere thanks to PRIMER Members Luke Visconti, Jose Fernandez and Sam Ramirez, Jr. for their support and contributions. We also thank PRIMER member and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, who invited our keynote speaker. This great meeting could not have taken place without the excellent work of our Association Managers, Sheila Guston and Amanda Gorun, whom we also thank.
A special thank you goes to my friend: our co-founder and immediate Past President, Raymond Arroyo, who is always there supporting, calling, giving, encouraging, doing, greeting, hugging, praising, thanking and so many more verbs I cannot keep count, but you get the idea.
I thought it was one of our best networking sessions.
Dr. Carlos Hernandez and NJCU
We heard from Dr. Hernandez. who welcomed us to his university and to the networking session, held at a beautiful turn-of-the-century building—the first completed building of the University. The dinner was held at what used to be the library a century and a quarter ago. We learned that NJCU is ranked as one of the most diverse colleges in the United States. Also, NJCU has leading edge programs, such as a degree in Mandarin Chinese; an affiliation with a city in Brazil; and a master’s degree in financial planning. Dr. Hernandez shared with us his vision for this great institution, as we together tackle the issue of Latino high school dropouts. He was an articulate and dynamic speaker.
As PRIMER considers and explores the possibility of sponsoring or instituting an SAT preparatory training program for underserved and financially underprivileged Latino high school students, PRIMER will consult with Dr. Hernandez in this effort.
Dear PRIMER familia:
PRIMER members demonstrated their firm commitment to making 2009 a great year for PRIMER. In a windy and cold evening, 50 PRIMER members and guests participated in a premier and memorable event, organized by PRIMER in collaboration with Dr. Carlos Hernandez, President of New Jersey City University, and his assistant, Virginia Melendez. Our most sincere thanks to PRIMER Members Luke Visconti, Jose Fernandez and Sam Ramirez, Jr. for their support and contributions. We also thank PRIMER member and Assemblywoman Annette Quijano, who invited our keynote speaker. This great meeting could not have taken place without the excellent work of our Association Managers, Sheila Guston and Amanda Gorun, whom we also thank.
A special thank you goes to my friend: our co-founder and immediate Past President, Raymond Arroyo, who is always there supporting, calling, giving, encouraging, doing, greeting, hugging, praising, thanking and so many more verbs I cannot keep count, but you get the idea.
I thought it was one of our best networking sessions.
Dr. Carlos Hernandez and NJCU
We heard from Dr. Hernandez. who welcomed us to his university and to the networking session, held at a beautiful turn-of-the-century building—the first completed building of the University. The dinner was held at what used to be the library a century and a quarter ago. We learned that NJCU is ranked as one of the most diverse colleges in the United States. Also, NJCU has leading edge programs, such as a degree in Mandarin Chinese; an affiliation with a city in Brazil; and a master’s degree in financial planning. Dr. Hernandez shared with us his vision for this great institution, as we together tackle the issue of Latino high school dropouts. He was an articulate and dynamic speaker.
As PRIMER considers and explores the possibility of sponsoring or instituting an SAT preparatory training program for underserved and financially underprivileged Latino high school students, PRIMER will consult with Dr. Hernandez in this effort.
I announced the creation of a PRIMER Special Projects Committee led by Lisa Casiano and Eduardo Tobon, to study this project and make recommendations to PRIMER’s Board of Directors. This meeting was a great first step in developing something that will be unique and transformational.
Our keynote speaker – a Member of Governor Corzine’s Cabinet
Our keynote speaker was Richard Cañas, Director of the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and a member of the Governor Corzine’s cabinet. Director Cañas, a native of El Salvador, and a former member of the National Security Council, shared his message of hard work and perseverance as the keys to success. He kept us captivated by his insights and strong unscripted message. He did not read from any notes or a written speech. He spoke from the heart and left the audience wanting for more. We are most grateful for his time and for his leadership.
Anthony Lopez is inducted.
PRIMER welcomed and inducted Anthony Lopez, Vice President of Johnson & Johnson, president of HOLA and published author. Anthony spoke about the strong relationships he has already developed within PRIMER, his new book and his desire to strengthen PRIMER and participate fully in our organization. Welcome Tony – you will surely be a great asset to PRIMER.
PRIMER Member of the Year 2008
We awarded DANIEL GUTIERREZ the PRIMER Member of the Year Award for 2008. The award is given by PRIMER to a member who is not an officer or board member who has lived the PRIMER values and ideals. Daniel, who is an international speaker and a national radio personality, has shown passion for giving without expecting anything in return, has promoted many PRIMER members through his radio show, lectures and through his many contacts in the Los Angeles metro area and the rest of the country, and has many times traveled from L.A. to the New York metro area for the single purpose of attending our meetings.
Daniel and his fiancée, Dr. Irene Lara, attended the event. Daniel moved us with his acceptance speech about the importance of giving to others without expecting anything in return, which is the essence of PRIMER relationships. Congratulations Dan for a well-deserved award.
Guests
We were pleased with the number and prominence of our PRIMER guests, who included: Manny Espinoza, Chief Executive Officer of ALPFA; Luis Jimenez, former Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer of Pitney Bowes and now president of his own consulting practice; Edgar Morales, president of Strategic Diversity Solutions; Peter Aquino, CPA, Managing Partner of Torres Llompart, Sanchez Ruiz; and Alejandro Roman, Relationship Manager of Vanguard. There were other wonderful guests too.
Special Message
I shared with you my thoughts about the “strong force” that unites us as a PRIMER familia, and our commitment to continuing measured growth. You will see in 2009 the flourishing of our respective relationships and the positive impact PRIMER will have on the community, as we potentially establish an education-oriented special program.
Next Networking Session
Our next meeting will be held on March 5, 2009 at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford, CT, sponsored by another PRIMER Member of the Year (2007) Rene Rodriguez and his company, Babbalu.com. This will be an exciting meeting, so don’t miss it.
Thank you for your support of PRIMER and your continued participation. See you in Hartford and Happy New Year!
Your President,
Dan Guadalupe
