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ept_Oct_05_SHPE_9598208 8/4/05 3:37 PM Page 40 hELp FOR SMALL TECh BuSINESSES By Siobhan Lef t wich Y ou’ve A L decision to go L O C made the H E R O high-risk efforts. approximately $12,500,000 for SBIR “Most of the companies we fund are Phase I awards and $3,750,000 out on your own. You have the really small,” says Figueroa. “And we for STTR Phase I awards — a total ideas, a bit of capital and a few “We were just talking about Chicano Democratic Asso- sure that the local companies supervisors understand that have a peer review system. We have no of about 150 grants. SBIR Phase I good people on board. But finances not adhering to the standards where he worked and where I ciation, he decided to run for here and throughout SHPE idea where ideas are coming from, so proposals are submitted for fundare tight, especially in this economy. If worked. I told him, ‘Yo me estoy office. “Every time we went to would provide opportunities put their jobs at stake. it’s a really fair process.” ing of up to $100,000 for six-month this sounds like you, Uncle Sam may All the while, Macias fregando (I’m putting myself vote, there was no Martinez, for Hispanic engineers to work.” projects. For STTR Phase I proposals, on theCheryl Albus, a program director in be able to help. The National Science Although diversity recruitbalremained active in various through the wringer) going to Morales or Jimenez Foundation, community through its Small Business’ And he said, ‘I love lot,” he explained. “I knew there ing has improved significantly organizations, school. Innovation the over the past love to read, seeking minorities and women including Research (SBIR) and education, I The NSF is but I was no way I could win …but with business 30 years, Macias Chicano Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) proposals I ran so that there was has maintained his fiery Federation, MECHA, LULAC, just don’t like to go to school. that promote discoveriesaand advance education mesprograms, is Operation SER, Just in the way and engineering. GI Forum, seeking minorities and keep at it, that’sscience to Macias on the ballot.” Though sage, advocating for Hispanic women Program, CETA who have business proposalsit, just because you love unsuccessful, his runs for city parity in the workplace. “If Spanish do the he was 30 and council and run that promote discoveries and Senate there is as characteristic about education.’ Here limit is $150,000, and projectsCalifornia the same divisiononeFigueroa, suggests Speaking Political Association, advance National Council of and Raza, 40 years later 12 months. Unlike the SBIR, STTR that he Jesse, Cruz continued, to for still a lettuce helped Macias realize that interested”entrepreneurs go “he’s for education in science La engineering. derived true happiness from the thoroughly and he the Environmental Health picker, NSF’s website, students, research will proposals require “We’re looking for something that’s still earning lettuce pick-research institutions down confront anybody at any Coalition and Boy Scouts of a wages, still involved with the inspiring Hispanics proposal requirements and talk to some or university researchers to play a really new,” says Juan Figueroa, er America. director with the NSF’s farm workers, but he role. a another road, toward becom- corporate levelinvestigators of the awards’ principal and ask, ‘What significant had program While serving as have fortunate that I ing engineers. chairmanoffor the San Diego cause. Me, I’mGrant recipients conduct research before applying. you done for our Division Industrial Innovation and A few provide go to school and Public School Building was able toand development projects that years earlier, in 1975, before you send in your applica“And, students lately?’ He brings Partnerships. “Think cloud computing, Corporation, he had the then continue with what’s Macias met Raul Alvarado, the it awareness.by peers to get their tion, get reviewed In his eyes, the issue evidence of a commercially viable web applications for personal devices, opportunity to meet Cesar motivated me — to give to second president of the recent- has died out because of time, feedback. You really want to dot all your product, process, device or system and sensors. More importantly, we’re ly founded Society of Hispanic but Jesse keeps it alive. Jesse is Chavez. Although they labored others.” i’s before submitting it,” she says. or meet a social or economic need. looking at the quality of research and The desire to motivate other Professional Engineers. Macias still an advocate for Hispanics in the same fields, Macias To learn more about the NSF’s SBIR NSF requires that projects have high its potential impact on society.” recalls a conversation that Hispanics into taking action led knew he had found a cause he in the workplace, and if a comprograms, go to enough [to ■ potential commercial could really endorse. and STTR pany isn’t doing www.nsf.gov.get payback and be Each year, the NSF grants revealed what led them in dif- Macias to politics. As the ferent directions: founding president of the “He told me that the mission was to increase the number of Hispanics in engineering science and mathematics. I liked that, but asked, ‘Where are you going to find them?’ He said they were going to find them in the colleges, and that they were going to form some chapters.” In 1981, Macias inspired a group of young engineers in San Diego to start a local professional chapter. Student chapters ensued, and soon Macias was using his background in human resources to set up events that would prepare students for the recruitment process. At these career days as well as at annual banquets, he would serve as keynote speaker, energizing students and professionals with his experiences. Mike Cruz, one of SHPE-SD’s early officers, remembers Macias influence on the young organization. “He was very vocal and a very strong advocate for Hispanics,” said Cruz, the current Region II vice president. “He was very much committed to making Hispanics up to the norm] then they should.” Macias also serves as a reminder to a new generation of kids, who never knew of a time before SHPE. With so many resources now at their disposal, Macias’ stories reinforce the “sí, se puede” message in that if he could achieve his goals, they certainly can too. “He takes a special interest and joy in motivating those kids,” Cruz added. “As a role model he never waivers from that stoic Hispanic man, in a suit and tie, that came from very humble beginnings to work with Neil Armstrong and help him get to the moon. It’s an old story, but I don’t think it ever loses its energy.” In addition, Macias stresses another benefit provided by the Society: You are never by yourself when you belong to SHPE. “The man is an amazing inspiration who makes everyone feel that the impossible is indeed possible,” said Wendy Argueta, the current Region II student representative. “His speeches SHPE R August/September 2005 Are you an active, experienced scientist or engineer, with the maturity and imagination to develop innovative programs in basic research through advanced development? Would you like to become a part of a team that maintains world-class superiority in Navy and Marine Corps needs? The Office of Naval Research (ONR), headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, coordinates, executes, and promotes the science and technology programs of the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps through universities, government laboratories, and nonprofit and for-profit organizations. If you’re eager to inspire and guide innovation that will enhance our knowledge base and provide technologybased options for future Navy and Marine Corps capabilities, ONR may have an opportunity for you! APPLY TODAY To obtain information on GS/13-15 Program Officers, IPA’s and SES employment opportunities in the areas of basic physical and biological sciences through engineering disciplines (both full-time or temporary) at ONR, please visit our website at http://www.onr.navy.mil/. ONR’s greatest asset is our cadre of outstanding personnel. OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH An Equal Opportunity Employer 132 • march/april 2009 • 40 www.nsbe.org

NSBE - March/April 2009

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