Hopeworks Board of Directors Appoints New Member Lou Rodriguez

Camden, NJ – February 3, 2023 – Hopeworks, a nonprofit and social enterprise that propels young adults into long-term living wage careers, proudly announces the appointment of Lou Rodriguez, CEO and founder of Rodriguez Consulting LLC, to its Board of Directors. A demonstrated supporter of Hopeworks’ mission, the lifelong engineer has affirmed his partnership with a position on the organization’s Board.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to formally welcome Lou Rodriguez to Hopeworks,” said Dan Rhoton, Executive Director of Hopeworks. “Lou not only forged a prolific career in engineering, but has also made it a point to uplift tomorrow’s leaders while doing so. Rodriguez has hired some of Hopeworks’ very own throughout the years— as well as assisting young adults secure employment with the Philadelphia Water Department.”

Bringing over 30 years of experience, Rodriguez specializes in the convergence of water infrastructure and geographical information systems (GIS). Rodriguez worked at the Philadelphia Water Department as a civil engineer in its design branch, and eventually rose to become the Department’s first GIS Program Manager. Later, the entrepreneur established Rodriguez Consulting LLC — his eponymous development and land surveying firm that incorporates Young Adult apprenticeship opportunities into its company structure. Rodriguez hails from the Philadelphia region, graduating from Widener University with a Bachelor’s in civil engineering.

“I’m delighted to begin this next chapter with an organization that is near and dear to me,” said Rodriguez. “Hopeworks played a pivotal role in the creation of Rodriguez University, a division within my company that prepares young adults for workforce development and trade professions in the water infrastructure industry. One thing is for certain: these young adults are the future. I’m thrilled to take on this new role as Hopeworks continues to further its reach and propel toward greatness, one Young Adult at time.”

Rodriguez has received several recognitions over his career, named as a 2020 Hispanic Heritage Awardee by AL DÍA News Media and 2017 Power 100 by the Philadelphia Business Journal. Rodriguez has served as the Board Chair of the Greater Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and as a trustee for Widener University. Rodriguez champions the next generation’s workforce through Rodriguez University, the workforce development and training initiative developed in partnership with Hopeworks and PowerCorpsPHL to highlight careers in civil engineering and land surveying that do not require a college degree.

For more information about Hopeworks, please visit www.hopeworks.org and follow Hopeworks on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

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About Hopeworks 

Hopeworks is a social enterprise that uses technology, healing, and entrepreneurship to transform lives. Hopeworks’ unique mix of training, trauma-informed care, and real-world experience is what leads to extraordinary results. The approach, combined with high-demand, high-wage technical training and paid work experience is helping to build a workforce that can not only get the job, but keep it, transforming their lives and the lives of their families.

To provide this experience, Hopeworks runs real businesses, providing technology solutions for businesses in web design and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and trauma-informed solutions through training and consulting services with the Hopeworks Training Team. These businesses help generate over 125 jobs for Young Adults a year, and lead to high-wage, permanent opportunities for Young Adults in a growing tech industry.

Hopeworks’ unique combination has led to extraordinary results, with over 85% of Young Adults earning high-wage jobs at the end of their work experience with Hopeworks, and a 12-month retention rate of almost 90% at those jobs. Young professionals entering Hopeworks are typically earning an average of $400 per year and after going through the training program, they have the opportunity to make a livable and comfortable wage, earning over $41,000 annually.