November 2012 The PlatyPress is a newsletter for members of the Platypus Circle. The Platypus Circle is composed of individuals, corporations and foundations who share our passion for supporting the Milwaukee County Zoo, conserving endangered animal species, and teaching the importance of preserving wildlife and its natural environment. The PlatyPress is published two to four times a year by the Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM), 10005 W. Blue Mound Rd., Milwaukee, WI 53226. www.zoosociety.org
Austin Ramirez: A Global View ational
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provided
Austin
O Intern by HUSC
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It’s impressive to be president of a major international manufacturing company that employs 1,300 people worldwide. It’s even more impressive when you’re only 34 years old, like Austin Ramirez, a new member of our Platypus Circle. The Milwaukee resident became president and CEO of HUSCO International—a major global manufacturing company based in Waukesha, Wis. — in July 2011. HUSCO provides hydraulic and electrohydraulic components for automobiles
and off-highway applications. Originally a subsidiary of Koehring/ AMCA, HUSCO International was bought out in 1985 by Ramirez’s father, Agustin, who continues to serve as executive chairman. It took Austin about 10 years at HUSCO to obtain his current station. He also has impressive athletic and academic credentials. After graduating with a double major from the University of Virginia in systems engineering and economics, he earned an MBA from Stanford University in California. In 1998 he won a gold medal for the United States in the World Aquatics Championships in Perth, Western Australia. His accomplishments earned him inclusion in the 2012 Business Journal of Milwaukee’s “Forty Under 40” list of influential young leaders. So why does he like the Milwaukee County Zoo and support the Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM)?
Like many people who grew up in southeastern Wisconsin, Ramirez has fond memories of visiting our Zoo. He remembers the unforgettable Samson, the Zoo’s most famous gorilla. He recalls riding the train. He also remembers his parents buying him Mold-ARama animal figures—but only if he was on his best behavior. “Those were pretty cool for a 6-year-old boy,” he says. Perhaps
because of his competitive swimming, Ramirez says, “I love the underwater exhibits—I must be part fish. I could spend hours wandering through all of the aquatic exhibits at the Zoo. I’ve also always loved dolphins, sharks and the fast, powerful fish.” “The Zoo is a wonderful resource for our community and a favorite of our employees,” he says. “We have had several great company events at the Zoo and, since we became Platy members in 2012, our three HUSCO Zoo Passes have become a coveted and muchutilized perk for our 500 local employees, especially during the summer months.” Although he’s a busy, globe-trotting businessman, Ramirez recently took his niece and nephew on a behind-the-scenes tour at the Zoo. “They had a blast feeding the giraffes and getting behind the scenes in the big cat exhibit and feeding the fish,” he says. “It was fun to see how much they enjoyed the Zoo.” Ramirez expects the Zoo to remain a big part of his life into the future. He and his wife, Heather, are expecting a baby. They look forward to enrolling the child in the ZSM’s Conservation Education classes, which start as early as age 2. Ramirez, who’s on the boards of non-profits such as the United Performing Arts Fund and Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee, believes in supporting groups that improve the quality of life in Milwaukee. To ensure that the ZSM and Zoo can continue to offer cuttingedge programs and exhibits, Ramirez joined the Platypus Circle. He thinks others should do so, too. “The Zoo is an important resource for our community and one that we all have a responsibility to help support.” By Zak Mazur