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Michele Torres graduated from West Virginia University in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army as a Medical Service Corps officer. For nine years, she served as a Health Facility Planner in Germany for the Europe Regional Medical Command, Fort Campbell on the LaPointe Health/Dental Clinic and Falls Church, VA at the US Army Health Facility Planning Agency.
In 2003, Michele founded HFS Company and moved to San Antonio, TX. Within 15 years, Michele has taken HFS into 23 states and The District of Columbia and internationally to Germany. With over 70 employees, HFS has been awarded over 23 prime contracts with federal agencies providing worldwide medical and facility architectural, engineering, construction management and facility optimization services.
In 2011, she earned her Master of Science in Construction Management from Arizona State University. She was also awarded the Woman Entrepreneur of the Year in 2011 by the San Antonio Business Journal. In 2012, HFS was ranked number 2,267 on the Inc. 5000 fastest growing private companies and again in 2016, HFS was ranked number 4,234.
Growing up as a Girl Scout and pledging “to help people at all times,” Michele strives to “make the world a better place” with decades of community service. She has provided her skills and talents to various organizations including: serving as a Girl Scout Troop Leader; 12 years with the Junior League of San Antonio (JLSA) culminating as the Vice President of Planning; making meals for the Fisher House Foundation; and raising funds for the PTSD Foundation of America. She currently serves on the Board of Direction as the Director of Leadership & Mentoring of the Society of American Military Engineers. Planning is her passion, and she leverages her experience to mentor other aspiring leaders within the Project Management Institute, JLSA, and the National Association of Women Business Owners.
CREDENTIALS
Master of Science, Construction Management - Arizona State University
Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering - West Virginia University
Project Management Professional
1) Why have you decided to serve as a Trailblazer for the JLSA?
Moving from an Active Board Member to Sustainer has left me wanting to continue to contribute to the success of JLSA. Most of my time in JLSA was spent in fundraising; I believe I learned a lot from those placements, and being a Trailblazer gives me the opportunity to use those skills to further the great work of JLSA!
2) Who and/or what inspires you to pave a path in our community?
All the wonderful San Antonian women I have had the privilege to meet and learn about their stories and their commitment to improving our community makes me want to step up and help carry the torch! I have always believed in leaving a place better than the way I found it, and helping those in need improves our community.