Los Alamos National Laboratory
Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545
CONTACT: Steve Sandoval, 505-665-9206 (96-175)
LOS ALAMOS, N.M., Nov. 4, 1996 - Los Alamos National Laboratory Human Resources Division Director Mike Lucero will be honored by the Hispano Roundtable of New Mexico at a ceremony Wednesday in Albuquerque.
Lucero, former astronaut Sid Gutiérrez, and Lillian Apodaca, chair of the national Hispano Bar Association, are being honored for having been either promoted, elected or appointed to positions of importance statewide, said Bernie Sanchez of the executive committee of the Hispano Roundtable.
The Hispano Roundtable consists of about 30 organizations statewide that advocate for Hispanos and Hispano-related issues.
The recognition reception begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Sheraton Old Town. It is open to the public.
"It's an honor to be recognized by the Hispano Roundtable," said Lucero. "It's imperative that especially our young Hispanos have role models that they can look up to. I'm honored and humbled to be selected."
Laboratory Director Sig Hecker appointed Lucero Human Resources Division director last July. He's been in the Human Resources Division Office since coming to the Laboratory in August 1995.
The Human Resources Division at the Laboratory has 286 employees, 232 of whom are University of California employees.
Lucero has a long career in human resources, having been manager of human resources for Hughes Aircraft Co. in Tucson, Ariz., and director of human resources and administrative services for General Dynamics Corp. in Pomona, Calif. and St. Louis, Mo.
Lucero is a native of Mora in Northern New Mexico, graduated from high school in Cheyenne, Wyo., and obtained his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from University of New Mexico. He obtained a master's degree in management science with emphasis in human resources and computer specialization from West Coast University in Los Angeles in 1971.
A U.S. Navy veteran, Lucero worked for General Dynamics in California until 1982 when he transferred to General Dynamics' corporate headquarters in St. Louis. He was a technical staff member until 1978 when he was asked by lawyers and other senior General Dynamics officials to help develop the company's response to claims made against General Dynamics by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs.
In March 1989, Lucero was named director of human resources and administrative services for General Dynamics, necessitating a move back to the company's Pomona facility. When Hughes Aircraft Co. purchased General Dynamics in 1994, Lucero transferred to Hughes' Tucson, Ariz., facility, where he worked 14 months before joining the Laboratory.
Los Alamos National Laboratory is operated by the University of California for the U.S. Department of Energy.