One brick at a time :
Mario Banuelos is Excellence in Leadership
When Mario Banuelos was informed that he would be honored with Leadership Morgan Hill ’ s Leadership Excellence Award , he immediately declared the theme for his event : “ One Brick at a Time ”. The declaration was typical of the incoming Rotary president , quietly taking charge and moving his tasks forward in a sequential , logical way reflecting his math degree from San Jose State . His brick-by-brick approach in his many volunteer efforts has made Morgan Hill a better community .
Born in Mexico , Mario came to the US when he was four . The house where he lived in Mexico is still in the family and he makes trips back there annually to maintain the house and visit his many friends and family relations there . by Steve Tate
Mario and Fawn Myers were married in 1986 and have four children . He quips that the four-year separation in their ages saved him from having more than one kid in college at a time . They ’ ve now added two grandchildren to the close-knit , funloving family . Mario has a dry , contagious sense of humor and enjoys a party . He knows just about every mariachi song ever written and loves to sing along . Having retired from his work for the City of San Jose eight years ago , he is now traveling frequently and enjoying some challenging multi-day mountain hikes .
Mario will be honored and celebrated for his many volunteer contributions to our city at the September 9 Leadership dinner at Guglielmo Winery . The organizations he serves demonstrate his commitment and dedication to Morgan Hill . In addition to his Rotary leadership role , Mario is on the boards of the Chamber of Commerce , the Historical Society , the Silicon Valley Hispanic Association , and the Morgan Hill Community Foundation , where he has served since it was formed 22 years ago . Through the Foundation , he has mentored many other non-profits for which the Foundation served as the umbrella organization — such as the Edward “ Boss ” Prado Foundation .
Morgan Hill youth . Through Rotary , Mario also founded a successful microfinance program , teaching business practices to potential minority business owners and helping them launch and expand their businesses . Last fall ’ s program had 23 graduates ; 12 of those are now involved with a business venture .
Mario is a great guy , a quiet , by-example leader and dedicated volunteer who is a huge asset to our community . Please join us at the September 9 gala celebration to honor him and to help fund the Leadership Morgan Hill program which also builds community — one brick at a time !
Mario is proud of his role as a co-founder of Project Roadmap , a collaborative program between educators and community leaders dedicated to the expansion of a collegegoing culture among
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