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Thursday, Mar 28, 2024

The pacesetter

RAM Enterprises Inc. The largest minority-owned business in the San Fernando Valley, RAM Enterprises posted 1999 revenues of $16.7 million, up 6 percent from 1998. The Valencia-based distributor of electronic connectors and accessories to military and aerospace contractors has continued to see steady growth over the last few years, thanks to new partnerships and contracts. The company, started 14 years ago by Maricela Monstein and her husband, Richard, has landed some of the biggest defense contractors as clients, from Boeing Co. to Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Jet Propulsion Lab, among others. (The initials RAM stand for Richard And Maricela.) Last year, the company partnered with Deutsch Engineered Connecting Services, a European electronic connector manufacturer. The two signed a strategic agreement for distribution of certain aviation connectors through the U.S., Canada and Mexico, which will allow RAM to offer faster service to clients. The company recently signed a contract with Bombardier Aerospace that pushed business up 22 percent in the first quarter of 2000 over the like period a year ago, Maricela Monstein said. “Our recent growth can be attributed to our company mission to ‘be the best in every market,'” Monstein said. Monstein, who is Mexican and whose company qualifies as a women-owned small disadvantaged business, said being a minority in the defense industry has not proven more difficult. “We have been very fortunate to be in an industry that not only participates but promotes our status,” Monstein said.

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