Frank Venegas
Frank Venegas, grandson of Mexican immigrants and the son of an autoworker, was born in Southwest Detroit. Ask Frank about his success and he will answer that he is a “lucky guy.” In a 1979 raffle, Frank won a Cadillac, which nine days later he sold for $12,000. Frank used the money to launch his first Ideal enterprise. Today, the Ideal Group consists of six customer-focused companies; employs 175 to 250 people and has annual revenues approaching $100 million. The Ideal companies deliver innovative facility solutions to their customers through construction services, indirect material management and the patented Ideal Shield product line. Venegas and the Ideal companies have earned national recognition, including seven General Motors Global Supplier of the Year award. Until recently, Frank was the Co-Chair of the GM Supplier Diversity Council and is a member of the GM Global Supplier Council. Venegas credits much of his business growth to the GM Mentored Supplier Program and the buyers that operated as true mentors over the years. Earning respect for his council contributions, DTE Energy appointed Frank Venegas as one of its founding council supplier members for its DTE Energy Advisory Council.
