April Diez

Diez Group

April Diez is a second generation Hispanic, her father and mentor Geraldo Diez Sr. founded Delaco Steel Corp in 1973 with her mother Brenda Diez. She has worked for the companies for 44 years. At the Diez Group, family, community and innovation are at the heart of everything we do.

April began her career part time at Delaco Steel Corporation in 1981. Subsequently, she assumed a series of increasingly responsible assignments at the plant level before being promoted to administrative management positions that included: purchasing, financial costing, scheduling and production control. Jerry and Brenda made succession planning a priority and put that plan in motion in 1996. Currently April serves as Vice Chair and CEO of Delaco Steel / The Diez Group companies which consists of multiple facilities, encompassing several states specializing in Aluminum and Steel sales, precision blanking, laser welding, milling, warehousing and logistics. She is CEO of The Diez Group LLC, DG Kansas City, and DKPI owned with her siblings, all companies are WBE certified. The Diez Group provides solutions that help customers save on costs and time.

Her accomplishments were recognized by being named Latina Entrepreneur of the Year by the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the National Society of Hispanic MBA, HBE Elite by the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, The Distinguished Business Leader of the Year Award from the Great Lakes Women's Business Council, USHCC Hispanic Business Woman of the Year, The Spirit of Frida award, a WBE Star by WBENC and Role Model of the Year by the GL WBC.

Active in business and civic affairs, Diez serves as a board member for MEMA (Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association) and an Exec. Board and Board member of the Great Lakes Women's Business Council. She served as Vice Chair of the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce's Executive Board and Board of Directors. April is a three-time mentor for the Great Lakes Woman's Business Development Council's MentorWE program. Currently she is co-mentoring 1 small business owners for Ford MentorWE with GLWBC.

Noted for her work in philanthropy, Ms. Diez serves as a Board of Director for Detroit PAL, an organization impacting the lives of more than 12,000 children each year. In partnership with the Detroit Police Department and community volunteers, Detroit PAL builds character in young people through athletic, academic and leadership development programs. April also served as a member of the Board of Trustees for Life Directions, an organization dedicated to motivating young adults who are economically disadvantaged and considered "at risk". As a Trustee, Ms. Diez was active in youth mentorship and fundraising. The Diez Family received Life Direction's Co-Founders Sustainability Award.

A mother of four children, her youngest attends Oakland University. Three of her children along with several nieces work for The Diez Group companies as succession planning continues with the third generation.

She is a graduate of the Minority Executive Program at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, Macomb Community College, and is certified in quality standards and lean manufacturing.