User:Wendyamarquez/sandbox

Edmund Marquez
Edmund Marquez is the owner of the Edmund Marquez Allstate Insurance Agencies in Tucson, Arizona, and is known for leading one of the largest Hispanic-owned Allstate agency groups in the United States. Born and raised in Tucson, AZ, Edmund attended Sabino High School and Pima Community before earning a bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Arizona. He also holds a business certificate from Stanford University.

Currently, Edmund serves as the Chairman of United Way's Tocqueville Society, Vice-Chairman of the Rio Nuevo board, Vice Chairman of Boys and Girls Clubs of Tucson, and Immediate Past Chairman of the Tucson Metro Chamber and the Arizona Sands Club. His commitment to community leadership is evident through his role on the Board of Directors of the Southern Arizona Leadership Council. Edmund has previously served as the Chairman of the Board of United Way, The Pima Community College Foundation and the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Edmund is an avid cyclist, proudly representing the Jim Click Racing Team. He brings his high energy and enthusiasm as an emcee to numerous community events throughout the Tucson community. Edmund is also a valued member of the Tucson Airport Authority and the National Leadership Council of the University of Arizona Foundation.

Business Career
Edmund Marquez's illustrious career in business began during his college years, where he made significant strides in both entrepreneurship and community service. Working at his father's Allstate Insurance Agency, he contributed to the agency's recognition as the Agency of the Year in 1994, alongside earning multiple sales achievement awards. Notably, in his senior year, Edmund co-directed the Cedric Dempsey Cancer Center Run, the largest student-organized running event in the U.S. His leadership and innovative approach propelled the event to unprecedented success, raising over $500,000 for cancer research and attracting over 6,000 participants and vendors from across Southern Arizona. Following this triumph, Edmund was appointed Director of Promotion at eegee's, where he oversaw the transformation of a restaurant into an art display and orchestrated a successful marketing campaign with the MLB's Colorado Rockies.

Upon graduation, Edmund declined an offer from Warner Bros. to blaze his trail by opening his own Allstate Insurance agency. A pioneer in dealership partnerships, he collaborated with 30 car dealerships in Tucson, offering round-the-clock service and achieving recognition as Allstate's top producing agent in the Western U.S. for three consecutive years. In 2000, Edmund expanded his entrepreneurial portfolio by acquiring his father's agency and several gas stations. He subsequently founded Allstar Auto Exchange, Allstar Service Center, WADE Warranty Company, and Tempest Financial, all while maintaining a focus on serving Tucson's Hispanic community.

In August 2006, Edmund was awarded a Suzuki auto franchise from American Suzuki Motor Company. In December 2006, "Edmund Marquez Suzuki" opened its doors, marking the first Mexican-American owned new car dealership in Tucson's history and the first on the city's south side. The dealership garnered strong support from Tucson's Hispanic population and quickly earned a place among Suzuki's top performers on the U.S. west coast. Unfortunately, the dealership faced challenges due to the severe downturn in the economy, leading to its closure in November 2008 and Edmund filing for bankruptcy. Undeterred, Edmund swiftly redirected his focus to his Allstate Insurance Agency, recommitting himself to its growth and success.

By 2009, with renewed determination, Edmund revitalized his insurance practice, leveraging his experience and community connections to expand aggressively. In January 2010, he acquired a large agency on Tucson's east side, followed by another acquisition in 2011, solidifying his agency's position as the largest captive insurance agency in Southern Arizona.

Today, Edmund Marquez stands as a testament to resilience and entrepreneurial spirit, having navigated challenges to build an exemplary career in the insurance industry. His journey underscores his unwavering commitment to excellence and dedication to serving his community. If there is one thing you must know about Edmund... He is not done yet!

Personal Life
Outside of his distinguished career in business, Edmund enjoys a rich personal life. He is married to Wendy Marquez, whom he met in college through a mutual friend at the age of 19. Edmund was captivated by Wendy's quiet demeanor, intelligence, and warmth, including her striking brown eyes. Together, they have two children, Diego and Alyssa.

Diego is currently a Division 1 track and field student-athlete at the University of Arizona, excelling academically with a 4.0 GPA. He is recognized as a prominent leader within university athletics. Alyssa, on the other hand, works as a property manager at a commercial real estate firm, and is regarded as a hardworking perfectionist. Their family is completed by their feisty dog, Macy.

Maintaining a strong commitment to his well-being, Edmund prioritizes his health through rigorous exercise and a disciplined diet. He cycles five days a week with the Jim Click Racing Team, incorporates weightlifting into his routine twice weekly, and adheres to a strict regimen to uphold his lean physique.

In addition to their picturesque home in the foothills, Edmund owns a condo in Carlsbad, California, where he and his family retreat to enjoy the coastal lifestyle and indulge in fine dining.

Edmund also finds great pleasure in collecting memorabilia, particularly comic books and artwork, with a special fondness for pieces acquired from his uncle, Leo.

Awards and Honors

 * Businessman of the Year - Tucson Hispanic Chamber
 * Breath of Life Award - Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
 * Father of the Year - Father's Day Council
 * Centennial Service Award - United Way
 * Platinum Cactus Award - Tucson Metro Chamber
 * Sabino High School Hall of Fame
 * Pi Kappa Alpha Hall of Honor
 * Southern Arizona YMCA Hall of Fame

Happy Father's Day Dad!!
Mom and I had this brilliant idea to create a wikipedia for you ourselves! It turns out to be a whole lot more complicated than I thought and i'm not sure if we will be able to ever get it to go public, but at least it turned out pretty cool, I hope you liked it!

I had a great time doing the research to create a summary of your life and accomplishments thus far in your life. I even asked you questions about your past during this trip to gain some extra knowledge. It's amazing for me to look back at your ambitious past, and to learn about the foundation which turned you into such an amazing business man and also an amazing dad. I took the time to watch youtube videos about you and read articles, and I felt a great sense of pride as I dove deeper into your past and the public's perception of you. I am so proud of you dad and I am grateful that you have created a blueprint I can gain insight from as I embark on my journey of life. You teach me how to be successful, how to be a man, and how to overcome adversity. Thank you for answering my never-ending questions, for always being in my corner, and for being a role model and mentor. I love you so much dad!! I hope to make my son proud one day when he looks into my past, just as I do when I look at yours.

Love - Diego

and thank you for this expensive breakfast