Michele Franqui Baquero, Executive President, CamuyCoop (Camuy, PR) - Region 1
Michele Franqui Baquero has a Master's Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management and Strategic Leadership. Her extensive knowledge of the Cooperative Principles is sustained with more than 33 years of training and experience in the Puerto Rican Cooperative Movement. She began working at the Camuy Savings and Credit Cooperative in 1987. Her dedication to work and excellence in her duties have allowed her to always reach higher-responsibility positions. She has performed in functions such as: Teller, Head Teller Supervisor, Loan Analyst, Loan Analyst Supervisor, Administrative Officer and Vice President. Her dominance in English and Spanish; companionship and affable treatment with employees, administration and members, make her highly suitable to lead the institution's growth. In recognition of these attributes and the Board of Directors' commitment and loyalty to CamuyCoop, she was chosen by unanimous vote to become the Executive President and she has held the role since November 1, 1998.
Since taking on this position, the institution has made significant gains in virtually all areas of development. This is evidenced by the Financial Audit Reports of the independent auditors and by the Corporation for the Supervision and Insurance of Cooperatives of Puerto Rico, COSSEC, which awarded the Recognition of Administrative Excellence to CamuyCoop, for excellent management on eight occasions. From 2008 to 2010, Michele belonged to the Advisory Committee of the Corporation for the Supervision and Insurance of Cooperatives of Puerto Rico. Michele excelled as President of the Board of Directors of the Association of Cooperative Executives of Puerto Rico, where she advocated development and benefit alternatives for the Puerto Rican Cooperative Movement.
Currently, Michele is a member of the Board of Banco Cooperativo of Puerto Rico, where she began as the President of the Audit Committee. She is also President of the Board of Directors of the Technology Cooperative, USICOOP, and formed part of the Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce, being the President of the Chamber Cooperatives Committee.