Richard Velazquez
Encyclopedia
Richard Velazquez is a nationally recognized leader in the Hispanic
community and in business. Velazquez is a former automotive designer, the President of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs
(NSHMBA) Seattle Chapter, and a Sr. Product Planning Manager for Xbox
with the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft
.
in Brooklyn, New York, consistently ranked one of the best high schools in the country. He graduated from high school at an accelerated pace, skipping his Junior year and completing the entire high school curriculum in only 3 years. Velazquez received a Bachelor’s of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering
in 1994 from the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, a prestigious specialty school that grants each successful applicant a full-tuition scholarship. Velazquez then received a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley
, Haas School of Business in 2003 on a full-fellowship through the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management
(CGSM).
, Inc. followed by Porsche AG in Stuttgart, Germany. After receiving his MBA, he switched industries and careers, focusing on marketing and Product Planning beginning with Procter & Gamble
in Puerto Rico, ultimately followed by Microsoft.
(new model introduction), 1998 Honda Accord
Coupe (complete redesign), 2001 Acura CL (complete redesign) and the 2001 Acura MDX
(new model introduction).
Velazquez left Honda in 1999 to work for Porsche AG at a newly designed facility in Weissach, Germany to work on Porsche’s first SUV, the 2002 Porsche Cayenne
(new model introduction). Velazquez went on to work on the designs of the 2003 Porsche 911
(major model change) and the 2004 Porsche Boxster
(minor model redesign).
In 2001, Velazquez left automotive design to pursue an MBA at the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business. During the program, he continued to work in the automotive industry, this time as a consultant for Ford de Mexico in the International Business Development (IBD) program evaluating the strategy for Ford’s Supplier Park in Hermosillo, Mexico.
in 2004. As an Assistant Brand Manager, he focused on marketing consumer packaged goods to the U.S. Hispanic and Puerto Rican markets. He was later recruited by Microsoft’s Corporate Marketing Group and relocated to Redmond, Washington
. In the Corporate Marketing Group, he worked as a Senior Market Research Manager. He transferred to the Product Planning group for the Xbox group in July, 2006 where he presently works (2009). He is a guest lecturer at the University of Washington
in the areas of Marketing
and New Product Development
and Design.
(SHPE) Cooper Union Student Chapter.
While at Honda, he served as the Vice Chair for Region VI of the SHPE National Student Affairs Committee, Vice Chairman for Columbus of the Society of Automotive Engineers Dayton Section, and Chairman of SAE Midwest Mini-Baja Competition. He also founded the Columbus Chapter of the SHPE and served as President until leaving for Germany.
At Berkeley, he founded the Hispanic MBA Student Association. In Puerto Rico
, he was elected President of the local chapter of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs
. After arriving at Microsoft, he co-founded the Seattle Chapter of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs. He served as Executive Vice President of NSHMBA Seattle Chapter in 2005-2006 and has served as President of the Chapter since 2008.
Velazquez was recognized as a Rising Star for the NSHMBA national organization in 2009. Also in 2009, Velazquez was selected as a Puget Sound Business Journal 40 under 40 Honoree. "Puget Sound Business Journal's 40 Under 40 program is the region's premier award program that spotlights the top business leaders under the age of 40 who excel in their industry and show dynamic leadership." Velazquez is a regular contributor to the business and economy section of tú Decides Newspaper, a bi-lingual English/Spanish newspaper in Washington state. He was also featured in the February/March 2010 issue of Latino Leaders magazine.
1994 - 1995 The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, M.E. Mechanical Engineering
1995 - 1999 Honda R&D Americas, Inc. – Body Design Engineer
1995–1999 SHPE Region VI Vice Chair – National Student Affairs Committee (NSAC)
1996–1997 Society of Automotive Engineers Midwest Mini-Baja Chairman
1997 - 1999 President and Founder, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
(SHPE) Columbus Chapter
1997–1999 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Dayton Section - Vice Chairman Columbus
1999 - 2001 Porsche AG, Weissach, Germany – Automotive Design Engineer
2001–2003 The University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, MBA
2001–2003 Founder and President, Hispanic MBA Student Association, UC Berkeley, Haas
2004 The Procter & Gamble
Commercial Company, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico – Assistant Brand Manager
2004 - 2006 Microsoft
(Corporate Marketing Group) – Senior Market Research Manager
2005 Co-founder, National Society of Hispanic MBAs
Seattle Chapter
2006 – 2011 Microsoft
, Interactive Entertainment Business, Sr. Product Planning Manager / Sr. Global Product Manager, Xbox
2009 - 2011 University of Washington Bothell Business Advisory Council Member
2008 – 2011 President, NSHMBA Seattle Chapter
2011 - present PepsiCo
, Foodservice Division, Sr. Director of Strategic Innovations - Marketing Equipment
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
community and in business. Velazquez is a former automotive designer, the President of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs
National Society of Hispanic MBAs
The National Society of Hispanic MBAs, usually abbreviated as NSHMBA and pronounced "nashimba" was created in 1988 as a 501 organization that "exists to foster Hispanic leadership through graduate management education and professional development...
(NSHMBA) Seattle Chapter, and a Sr. Product Planning Manager for Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
with the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
.
Education
Velazquez graduated from Edward R. Murrow High SchoolEdward R. Murrow High School
Edward R. Murrow High School, is located in the Midwood section of Brooklyn, New York City, New York and is part of the New York City Department of Education....
in Brooklyn, New York, consistently ranked one of the best high schools in the country. He graduated from high school at an accelerated pace, skipping his Junior year and completing the entire high school curriculum in only 3 years. Velazquez received a Bachelor’s of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
in 1994 from the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, a prestigious specialty school that grants each successful applicant a full-tuition scholarship. Velazquez then received a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
, Haas School of Business in 2003 on a full-fellowship through the Consortium for Graduate Study in Management
Consortium for Graduate Study in Management
The Consortium for Graduate Study in Management, usually abbreviated as CGSM was created in 1965 as a 501 organization dedicated to ensuring the equal representation of Hispanics, African Americans, and Native Americans in management careers in the business community of the United States of...
(CGSM).
Career
Velazquez began his career as an automotive designer for Honda R&D AmericasHonda R&D Americas
Honda R&D Americas, Inc. is an automobile, motorcycle, ATV, and Jet airplane developer located in North America. It develops vehicles for Honda and Acura sales....
, Inc. followed by Porsche AG in Stuttgart, Germany. After receiving his MBA, he switched industries and careers, focusing on marketing and Product Planning beginning with Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble is a Fortune 500 American multinational corporation headquartered in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio and manufactures a wide range of consumer goods....
in Puerto Rico, ultimately followed by Microsoft.
Automotive Design
Velazquez’s automotive design background began while still studying at Cooper Union. He designed utility truck bodies for the Brooklyn Union Gas fleet and competed in the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Mini-Baja East competition. For the Mini-Baja, he designed and built an all-terrain, amphibious vehicle as part of the competition. After Cooper Union, he began work as a Body Design Engineer for Honda R&D Americas, Inc. in 1995 located in Raymond, Ohio. He worked on the designs of the 1997 Acura CLAcura CL
The Acura CL is a model of automobile manufactured by Honda's Acura brand from 1996–1999, and from 2001–2003. The CL is often thought to have been a replacement for the Acura Legend coupe, but with the advent of the TL in 1996, which directly replaced the Vigor, the CL is more precisely a TL coupe...
(new model introduction), 1998 Honda Accord
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a series of compact, mid-size and full-size automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, and sold in a majority of automotive markets throughout the world....
Coupe (complete redesign), 2001 Acura CL (complete redesign) and the 2001 Acura MDX
Acura MDX
The Acura MDX, or Honda MDX as known in Japan and Australia , is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV produced by the Japanese automaker Acura since the 2001 model year. The MDX was the first crossover SUV to have third-row seating. It is related to the Honda Pilot. The alphanumeric moniker stands for...
(new model introduction).
Velazquez left Honda in 1999 to work for Porsche AG at a newly designed facility in Weissach, Germany to work on Porsche’s first SUV, the 2002 Porsche Cayenne
Porsche Cayenne
The Porsche Cayenne is a five seat mid-size luxury crossover manufactured by the German manufacturer Porsche since 2002, with North American sales beginning in 2003. Its platform was developed by Porsche and is shared with the Volkswagen Touareg and the Audi Q7. It is the first V8-engined vehicle...
(new model introduction). Velazquez went on to work on the designs of the 2003 Porsche 911
Porsche 911
The Porsche 911 is a luxury 2-door sports coupe made by Porsche AG of Stuttgart, Germany. It has a distinctive design, rear-engined and with independent rear suspension, an evolution of the swing axle on the Porsche 356. The engine was also air-cooled until the introduction of the Type 996 in 1998...
(major model change) and the 2004 Porsche Boxster
Porsche Boxster
The Porsche Boxster is a mid-engined roadster built by Porsche. The Boxster is Porsche's first road vehicle to be originally designed as a roadster since the 550 Spyder....
(minor model redesign).
In 2001, Velazquez left automotive design to pursue an MBA at the University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business. During the program, he continued to work in the automotive industry, this time as a consultant for Ford de Mexico in the International Business Development (IBD) program evaluating the strategy for Ford’s Supplier Park in Hermosillo, Mexico.
Marketing and Planning
After Berkeley, Velazquez switched to a marketing role with the Procter and Gamble Commercial Company in Guaynabo, Puerto RicoGuaynabo, Puerto Rico
Guaynabo is a municipality in the northern part of Puerto Rico, located in the northern coast of the island, north of Aguas Buenas; south of Cataño; east of Bayamón; and west of San Juan...
in 2004. As an Assistant Brand Manager, he focused on marketing consumer packaged goods to the U.S. Hispanic and Puerto Rican markets. He was later recruited by Microsoft’s Corporate Marketing Group and relocated to Redmond, Washington
Redmond, Washington
Redmond is a city in King County, Washington, United States, located east of Seattle. The population was 54,144 at the 2010 census,up from 45,256 in 2000....
. In the Corporate Marketing Group, he worked as a Senior Market Research Manager. He transferred to the Product Planning group for the Xbox group in July, 2006 where he presently works (2009). He is a guest lecturer at the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
in the areas of Marketing
Marketing
Marketing is the process used to determine what products or services may be of interest to customers, and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business development. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business developments...
and New Product Development
New product development
In business and engineering, new product development is the term used to describe the complete process of bringing a new product to market. A product is a set of benefits offered for exchange and can be tangible or intangible...
and Design.
Community and Professional Organizations
Velazquez’s involvement in professional and community organizations began at the Cooper Union, as one of the founders and the Treasurer for the Society of Hispanic Professional EngineersSociety of Hispanic Professional Engineers
The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers was founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1974 by a group of engineers employed by the city of Los Angeles. Their objective was to form a national organization of professional engineers to serve as role models in the Hispanic community.Social...
(SHPE) Cooper Union Student Chapter.
While at Honda, he served as the Vice Chair for Region VI of the SHPE National Student Affairs Committee, Vice Chairman for Columbus of the Society of Automotive Engineers Dayton Section, and Chairman of SAE Midwest Mini-Baja Competition. He also founded the Columbus Chapter of the SHPE and served as President until leaving for Germany.
At Berkeley, he founded the Hispanic MBA Student Association. In Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
, he was elected President of the local chapter of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs
National Society of Hispanic MBAs
The National Society of Hispanic MBAs, usually abbreviated as NSHMBA and pronounced "nashimba" was created in 1988 as a 501 organization that "exists to foster Hispanic leadership through graduate management education and professional development...
. After arriving at Microsoft, he co-founded the Seattle Chapter of the National Society of Hispanic MBAs. He served as Executive Vice President of NSHMBA Seattle Chapter in 2005-2006 and has served as President of the Chapter since 2008.
Velazquez was recognized as a Rising Star for the NSHMBA national organization in 2009. Also in 2009, Velazquez was selected as a Puget Sound Business Journal 40 under 40 Honoree. "Puget Sound Business Journal's 40 Under 40 program is the region's premier award program that spotlights the top business leaders under the age of 40 who excel in their industry and show dynamic leadership." Velazquez is a regular contributor to the business and economy section of tú Decides Newspaper, a bi-lingual English/Spanish newspaper in Washington state. He was also featured in the February/March 2010 issue of Latino Leaders magazine.
Career timeline
1990 - 1994 The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, B.E. Mechanical EngineeringMechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
1994 - 1995 The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, M.E. Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
1995 - 1999 Honda R&D Americas, Inc. – Body Design Engineer
1995–1999 SHPE Region VI Vice Chair – National Student Affairs Committee (NSAC)
1996–1997 Society of Automotive Engineers Midwest Mini-Baja Chairman
1997 - 1999 President and Founder, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers
The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers was founded in Los Angeles, California, in 1974 by a group of engineers employed by the city of Los Angeles. Their objective was to form a national organization of professional engineers to serve as role models in the Hispanic community.Social...
(SHPE) Columbus Chapter
1997–1999 Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) Dayton Section - Vice Chairman Columbus
1999 - 2001 Porsche AG, Weissach, Germany – Automotive Design Engineer
2001–2003 The University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business, MBA
2001–2003 Founder and President, Hispanic MBA Student Association, UC Berkeley, Haas
2004 The Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble is a Fortune 500 American multinational corporation headquartered in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio and manufactures a wide range of consumer goods....
Commercial Company, Guaynabo, Puerto Rico – Assistant Brand Manager
2004 - 2006 Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
(Corporate Marketing Group) – Senior Market Research Manager
2005 Co-founder, National Society of Hispanic MBAs
National Society of Hispanic MBAs
The National Society of Hispanic MBAs, usually abbreviated as NSHMBA and pronounced "nashimba" was created in 1988 as a 501 organization that "exists to foster Hispanic leadership through graduate management education and professional development...
Seattle Chapter
2006 – 2011 Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
, Interactive Entertainment Business, Sr. Product Planning Manager / Sr. Global Product Manager, Xbox
2009 - 2011 University of Washington Bothell Business Advisory Council Member
2008 – 2011 President, NSHMBA Seattle Chapter
2011 - present PepsiCo
PepsiCo
PepsiCo Inc. is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Purchase, New York, United States, with interests in the manufacturing, marketing and distribution of grain-based snack foods, beverages, and other products. PepsiCo was formed in 1965 with the merger of the Pepsi-Cola Company...
, Foodservice Division, Sr. Director of Strategic Innovations - Marketing Equipment
Awards
- 1997 Young Engineer of the Year Award – American Society of Mechanical EngineersAmerican Society of Mechanical EngineersThe American Society of Mechanical Engineers is a professional body, specifically an engineering society, focused on mechanical engineering....
Central Ohio Section - 1999 ASME International Old Guard Young Engineer of the Year Nominee
- 2006 MicrosoftMicrosoftMicrosoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
Corporate Marketing Group MVP - 2008 Peter E. Haas Public Service Award Nominee, University of California, BerkeleyUniversity of California, BerkeleyThe University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
- 2008 Microsoft Gold Star Award
- 2009 National Society of Hispanic MBAsNational Society of Hispanic MBAsThe National Society of Hispanic MBAs, usually abbreviated as NSHMBA and pronounced "nashimba" was created in 1988 as a 501 organization that "exists to foster Hispanic leadership through graduate management education and professional development...
(NSHMBA) Rising Star - 2009 Puget Sound Business Journal 40 under 40 Honoree
- 2009 National Society of Hispanic MBAsNational Society of Hispanic MBAsThe National Society of Hispanic MBAs, usually abbreviated as NSHMBA and pronounced "nashimba" was created in 1988 as a 501 organization that "exists to foster Hispanic leadership through graduate management education and professional development...
(NSHMBA) Brillante Award for Excellence - 2010 National Society of Hispanic MBAsNational Society of Hispanic MBAsThe National Society of Hispanic MBAs, usually abbreviated as NSHMBA and pronounced "nashimba" was created in 1988 as a 501 organization that "exists to foster Hispanic leadership through graduate management education and professional development...
(NSHMBA) Distinguished Leadership Award - 2010 Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility (HACR) Young Hispanic Corporate Achiever Award (YHCA)