Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, ZAGO Manufacturing Co. Honors Its Diverse Workforce

Photo Caption: From left to right: Jonathan Cruz, Indira Cruz, Sonia Letona, and Kleber Rivera.

September 15 – October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month, and ZAGO Manufacturing Co. is proud to highlight the stories of the Hispanic women and men who comprise its diverse workforce, from the production floor to executive leadership.

Meet TEAM ZAGO:

Sonia Letona, Quality Control Manager, Guatemala. Sonia arrived in America 15 years ago and landed her first job at ZAGO working the assembly line. A devoted wife and mother of three, Sonia excelled in her role and presently leads a team of eight. When reflecting on her rise to leadership, Sonia says, “I love learning. I ask many questions, and I care about helping our customers.”

Jonathan Cruz, Lead Machinist and Robot Specialist, Honduras. Jonathan joined ZAGO in 2014 operating machines to produce sealing screws, before working his way up. Jonathan’s passion for manufacturing and engineering drove him to pursue an Engineering Technology and Manufacturing degree from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Kleber Rivera, Lead Machinist, Ecuador. Kleber joined the ZAGO family in February 2015. Since then, he has significantly enhanced the team with his innovative approach to production. His contributions have improved the manufacturing and quality of our sealing products.

Indira Cruz, Contract Review/Buyer, Honduras. Indira joined ZAGO in 2021 with no prior experience in the fastener industry. She views each day as an opportunity for growth and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree. Indira credits her mentors at ZAGO—Harvey, Jackie, and Gail—for their unwavering support on her journey.

Representation Matters - “If women and men hailing from different backgrounds don’t see themselves represented, then, they won’t know that a fruitful career in manufacturing is possible,” says Gail Friedberg Rottenstrich, Co-Founder and CEO, of ZAGO, a woman-owned business.

“Diversity and representation matters. If you can see yourself, you know it can be possible. I am so proud of our entire team, they put their whole hearts into everything they do,” says Jackie Luciano, Vice President of ZAGO.

Support is Crucial - ZAGO, which makes environmentally friendly sealing fasteners and components in Newark, NJ, covers 100% tuition for eligible associates to take a range of courses, including ESL classes, and earn professional certificates and advanced degrees.