When Joe Ramirez retired in March of this year, he began thinking about what he wanted to do with his time. He knew that he wanted to contribute to his Hispanic heritage. Having reflected upon 30-plus years of success as the founder and CEO of Joseph Chris Partners, he knew that his success was hard won. “I’m interested in helping my Hispanic heritage, the people that I have something in common with,” said Ramirez.

“I grew up in a poor environment, and I knew the struggles and adversity that people had to deal with to get ahead – in education, finding work, just not feeling like a first-class citizen,” he said.

Ramirez was not alone in his desire, and in March of this year, he gathered with several friends to discuss possibilities.

“We had about 10 neighbors, the founding members, that came together in my home on a Sunday afternoon, and we talked about a vision of helping our Hispanic heritage,” recalled Ramirez. From that meeting, HESI was born: Hispanic Executive Society International.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, HESI is a local group of passionate and dedicated Latino residents, with a mission of promoting higher education, career achievement, executive leadership and entrepreneurship in the Hispanic community.

A major focus of HESI is the goal to help and inspire local youth. They have begun a mentor program with Humble Middle School. The coordinator, Rosa Ortega, is very excited about the mentoring endeavor.

“Our part is to go in and show them what is possible. We want to be the voice that says ‘yes we can,’” she said. “We can offer them testimony of how we got ahead in the game.”

Waymond Wesley, Purple House principal at Humble Middle School, shares the same vision and enthusiasm. “I cannot tell you how helpful HESI has been,” said Wesley. “I’m just grateful. They are really reaching out and helping this community on behalf of kids.”

The purpose of the mentor program is to provide excellent role models for the students, and to give them a chance to interact and learn. The mentors “encourage our students to obtain their academic goals, and to strive towards life goals that will give them motivation and dedication to continue to do well in school,” he said.

The time requirements for mentors are minimal, only an hour per week or every other week, given during school hours. There is a required orientation and background check. Mentors are matched up with students according to gender.

“We want to pass on the torch to the future generation,” said Ramirez.

HESI is active in the community in other ways as well. They have monthly meetings which include business networking, as well as a Hispanic guest speaker who is a leader in his/her field of endeavor. There is a career day planned in April at Lone Star College, career networking and development events, a Cinco de Mayo celebration, and plans for development of additional local chapters.

The HESI Holiday Gala, which will take place Friday, Dec. 19 at Kings Lakes Estates. There will be live music by Dozziz Tropical Band, great food, dancing and karaoke for all to enjoy. For information on the Gala, call Victoria Ramirez at 281-360-4548.

For information on HESI, go to www.HispanicExecutiveSociety.Org, or call 281-359-2101. For information on HESI’s mentoring program with Humble Middle School, contact Purple House Principal Waymond Wesley at: waymond.wesley@humble.k12.tx.us.