The National Latino Education Institute, the nation’s oldest Latino-led provider of specialized professional and vocational job training programs, held its 44th annual gala, emceed by CBS-2 Anchor, Roseanne Tellez on Tuesday, June 21st. “NLEI works hard all year designing and delivering accredited training in information technology, health care, skilled trades, and in reaching out to our communities where the need is great,” said NLEI Executive Director Elba Aranda-Suh. “So when it comes to our annual gala, we make sure it’s a really festive and fun celebration.” Formerly known as the Spanish Coalition for Jobs, the organization was a leader in job advocacy for Latinos in the 1960s, and has evolved into a nationally accredited non-profit business education institute, servicing the greater Chicago area.” Today, NLEI continues to offer quality, market-driven education, resulting in real jobs, offering career advancement and the chance for low-income and underserved individuals to achieve financial stability. NLEI graduates are tomorrow’s leaders in business, healthcare, media, public service and entrepreneurship.

This year, Arthur Zayas Miller, President and CEO of the MZI Group, was the recipient of NLEI’s prestigious Founder’s Award. Mr. Miller is a leader in electrical contracting for major projects both in the metropolitan Chicago area and nationally. Miller grew up on the South Side and founded his Chicago-based MZI Group Inc. some 25 years ago, focusing on electrical and mechanical construction. MZI assists major clients such as ComEd in implementing new “smart energy” tools to reduce energy consumption. The company is among the largest Latino-owned businesses in the Midwest. “I am a steadfast supporter of NLEI. The skilled trades remain an expanding field,” said Zayas Miller in accepting the award. “Good jobs in electrical and construction are a real pathway to the middle class.” For more information about NLEI, visit nlei.org.

Photo Caption:
(L to R) Francisco Menchaca, IL Dept of Financial & Professional Regulation; Mary Formosa, V.P. – Human Resources Officer – ‎Wheels, Inc; Elba Aranda-Suh – Directora Ejecutiva de NLEI; Arthur Miller – MZI Group CEO; Jorge Diaz – Senior V.P. – Global Human Resources Fleetmatics; and Judge Edward Arce – Cook County