Larios, Club Shine in National Award
On Sept. 13, the Club’s Robert Larios was honored as the University of Michigan Ross School of Business’s Graduate of the Decade (G.O.L.D), an impressive honor.
This recognition highlights Larios’s exemplary management of the Club, his innovative approaches, and the exceptional service provided to its members, establishing it as a leading independent association serving U.S. public sector.
The Michigan/Ross’ G.O.L.D. Alumni Award was created in 2020 to recognize exceptional recent alumni who have enhanced the reputation of Ross by their outstanding professional achievements and/or continued engagement and service to the school/university or community.
Michigan/Ross is generally considered one of the top ten graduate business schools in the country.
Robert is the first Latino to receive this nationwide honor. His honor marks his achievements at the top of all Michigan/Ross graduates from the 2010s.
Robert’s Story
In his acceptance speech, held on the Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, Robert mentioned gratitude for his influences, including the Club.
“Reflecting on my journey from a Mexican immigrant to CEO of the Employees Club of California, I am ever grateful for the values instilled by my parents, Rafael and Carmen. Their pursuit of the American dream taught me about hard work, resilience and hope. A philosophy of leadership has been my compass, fueling my dedication to public service employees through the Employees Club. Our mission to honor public workers mirrors Ross’ values of sustainability, social responsibility and community engagement.
“Ross champions teamwork and collaboration, evident in the collective success of our team in California, committed to celebrating public service employees. Together, we transform challenges into opportunities.
“I am deeply grateful to my colleagues, friends and family, including my wife, Patricia, who have journeyed with me. Their support has helped turn aspirations into reality.”
In an interview accompanying the award, Robert said: “Receiving the Graduate of the Last Decade Award is both a humbling and affirming recognition of the hard work that has defined my career. This award celebrates not just personal success but also the collective achievements of the community I serve,” the Employees Club of California.
Club Values in the National Spotlight
The Club’s mission of celebrating, honoring and thanking public service employees … and returning real-world value to them for their monthly Club fees … was very much a part of the honor.
“After earning my MBA in 2014, I embraced leadership roles that allowed me to honor public service employees. Each position I have taken has taught me invaluable lessons in empathy, resilience, and innovation,” he emphasized in his acceptance interview.
‘[This honor] is a testament to the Club’s commitment to service, excellence and innovation. We can all be incredibly proud of it.’
— Robert Larios, Club CEO and G.O.L.D. Award Recipient
“More importantly, Ross instilled in me the value of leadership that makes a real difference, a philosophy that has guided my commitment to uplifting public service employees and ensuring they are celebrated for their contributions.”
“This award shines a light on how special our organization is,” he told the Club Board of Directors after learning of the award. “It’s a testament to the Club’s commitment to service, excellence and innovation. We can all be incredibly proud of it.
“This award is not just a personal accolade; it symbolizes the incredible achievements we’ve reached together.”
Everyone at the Club wishes a hearty congratulations to our CEO, Robert Larios. Well done, and much deserved.
