Michigan Hispanic group honors company, executive

Chrysler LLC was honored as the “2008 Corporation of the Year” at the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Annual Legacy Awards Reception in Detroit on Dec. 4.

This was the second consecutive year Chrysler has won the award. The Corporation of the Year Award is given to a company that excels in their support of the mission and goals of the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. This includes direct support for the chamber; an effective supplier diversity program; a supportive and proactive approach to identifying procurement opportunities for Hispanic-owned companies; a philanthropic commitment to the Hispanic community; and the creation of a diverse work force.

Chrysler has demonstrated its dedication to the minority business community by sourcing more than $30 billion in contracts to minority-owned businesses during the course of the past two decades. More than $8 billion has been sourced from Hispanic-owned companies during this period.

Even in tough economic times, Chrysler continues to show its support at the chamber’s two largest events—the Hispana Fiesta and the annual Hank Aguirre Golf Outing. And Chrysler continues to advocate on behalf of many Hispanic businesses by offering scholarship opportunities to various executive training courses, exhibit space at the company’s annual Matchmaker Event and other development opportunities.

In addition to the Corporation of the Year Award, Jethro Joseph, Senior Executive—Diversity Supplier Development, was honored with a special achievement award for “Outstanding Service and Commitment to our Business.” Joseph was presented the award for demonstrating years of dedication and active support to the Hispanic chamber as an executive board member and as a corporate vice chairman.

The award was one of 22 awarded to Diversity Supplier Development this year from groups representing Hispanic, African-American, women, gays and lesbians, veterans and other organizations.

“Those are diverse awards from different groups touching different areas and different parts of the countries. That tells you about the breadth of our programs here at Chrysler,” Joseph said.