The Spark: Thankful for alumni support!
Thank you, Operation Jump Start, for co-hosting last month’s LEVEL UP virtual workshop: College Admissions 101!
Dear fellow ITEP/EXP alums,
So many things to be #Thankful for this fall! These past few months have been filled with opportunities for EXP-supported high school students, alums, and other young adults to connect, inspire, learn, and grow!
Thank you to our partner, Operation Jump Start, for co-hosting and sharing college application advice at last month’s LEVEL UP virtual workshop: College Admissions 101. You can download the free student resource guide which includes important dates and helpful tips here.
It was a full house at the (Re)Imagining Apprenticeships event in Laguna Hills this past Friday, November 17. Check out the presentation slides here.
More exciting opportunities are coming up this winter, including the Wilmington Holiday Parade on December 3, a LEVEL UP career panel on December 14, and Women in STEM Career Day on February 29. Stay in touch with us on social media to stay current.
And finally, let’s connect in person or virtually over coffee to brainstorm how to continue growing the EXP alumni network! Email me at daisy@expfuture.org to schedule a coffee chat or stay in the loop by joining our Alumni Facebook Group.
I look forward to connecting soon!
Daisy Boeckmann '17
EXP Program Manager, Strategic Initiatives
EXP Alum '17, Carson HS
LEVEL UP: Help Me Find My Passion! Career Industry Panel
Are you struggling to find your passion or looking for a new career? Register today for our free virtual career panel “Help Me Find My Passion!” on Thursday, December 14, 6:00 – 7:00 PM via Zoom!
This virtual career panel will feature Engineering, Logistics, Healthcare, Entrepreneurship, and Marketing professionals who will share their personal experiences within their respective industries, including:
Ron Roberts, Jr., Corporate Recruiter & HR Professional, Griffith Company
Elizabeth Machuca, Entrepreneur, Small Business Owner, and an Engineer. (Also an EXP alum!)
More panelists to be announced. Stay tuned!
Francisco Franco ‘08
Phineas Banning High School, 2008: International Trade Academy (ITA)
Alumni Spotlight: Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco ‘08
CEO of Franco Trucking, Inc. and Founder of Franco Logistics, Inc.
Phineas Banning High School, 2008: International Trade Academy (ITA)
As a Phineas Banning High School student, Francisco Franco’s goal was to expand his dad’s transportation business. Now, the CEO of Franco Trucking, Inc. and Founder of Franco Logistics, Inc., Francisco credits EXP for helping him hone in on this goal and execute it.
“EXP played a big part in my career,” said Francisco. Inspired by his EXP internship experience at the Los Angeles Port Police during his junior year, he pursued business straight out of high school. EXP unlocked doors for him by introducing him to contacts at the Port of Los Angeles, which was “very beneficial for a 19-year-old trying to make it in the transportation industry.”
Despite his busy schedule, Francisco remains involved with EXP, including participating on the ITA advisory board at his alma mater and hosting EXP interns in the summer. “I am honored to be able to give back to this amazing program that enriches students’ goals and careers,” said Francisco. “I was once a student, and I remember how impactful the internship program was for me.”
Thank you, Francisco, for sharing your success story and for your continued support!
Would you like your story to be featured in the next newsletter? Please email Judy Ramos at judyramos@expfuture.org.
Alumni in Action: GPS Your Future® 2023
Thank you to the following EXP alumni who gave back in a BIG way at GPS Your Future® on October 12!
Panelists:
Bianey Guzman - District Scheduler, Office of CA State Assemblymember Mike Gipson - Phineas Banning HS: International Trade Academy, 2015
Victor Ibarra - Government Affairs Manager, Southern California, Marathon Petroleum - Phineas Banning HS: International Trade Academy, 2011
Elizabeth Machuca – Business Owner, Synesthesia Boutique & EXP board member - Phineas Banning HS: Global Safety and Security Academy, 2009
Diana Medel - Director of Strategic Partnerships, Boys & Girls Clubs of Carson - Phineas Banning HS: Global Environmental Science Academy, 2013
Christine Pina - Management Assistant, Port of Los Angeles Community Relations - Phineas Banning HS: International Trade Academy, 2005
Exhibitors:
Esmeralda Mendez - Contractor - Community Affairs, Valero - Phineas Banning: International Trade Academy, 2009
Isael Torres - Human Resources Manager, Franco Logistics, Inc. - Phineas Banning: International Trade Academy, 2010
Lizeth Vasquez - Mechanical Engineering Associate III, Port of Los Angeles - Phineas Banning: International Trade Academy, 2012
Special thanks to alum Nancy Perez ‘11, Senior Advisor, Field Communications, Phillips 66, who facilitated Phillips 66’s sponsorship of GPS Your Future®!
Phineas Banning: Global Environmental Science Academy, 2011