Obituary of Milagros Guzman

Guzman, Milagros (Millie) 92, of Seminole, Florida, formerly from Puerto Rico, passed away peacefully on July 8th, 2021. Milagros is survived by her daughter, Alba Spicer, grand-daughter Karen Reed (Bill Reed) and great-grandsons Liam and Evan Reed.

Milagros was born in San German, Puerto Rico. She graduated magna-cum-laude from Interamerican University and received her master’s degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

It is impossible to summarize the life and achievements of Milagros Guzman in a few paragraphs. Her desire to serve others gained her the respect and admiration of anyone who met her. She devoted her life to the professional and personal betterment of the people of Latin America and her beloved Puerto Rico. The span of her professional career took her to California, Chicago, Pennsylvania, New York, Venezuela, Santo Domingo, Guatemala and El Salvador.

In 1973, the governor of Puerto Rico appointed Milagros to the position of Executive Director of Human Resources for the island. During her tenure, among other achievements, Milagros spearheaded the enactment of a law which extended the merit system from 60,000 to 160,000 public employees and created the Training and Development Institute for Public Servants (IDEP).

In 1978 Milagros founded the Institute for Productivity (INPRO), a nonprofit organization that has served 900 public and private companies, training over 85,000 employees of every level from managerial to clerical.

Among other publications, Milagros is the author of five books which are still being used as references or textbooks in universities.

On the personal level, Milagros was the perfect example of a true friend and mentor… loyal, sincere, kind, thoughtful, caring… always ready with wise advice and an open heart.

At the age of eighty, Milagros moved to Florida to be with her family, which now included two beautiful great-grandchildren. Milagros and her daughter Alba always shared a special bond not broken by time or distance. In Florida, Milagros continued to bless her family and new friends with her smile and her positive outlook on life, but her heart always belonged to her beloved Puerto Rico.

Although the world has lost a remarkable woman, her memory will live on in the hearts of the countless lives she touched.

1928 Born in San German, Puerto Rico

1949 Graduated Magna-Cum-Laude Interamerican University

1950 Married Gilberto Gomez

1952 Birth of daughter Alba

1954 Death of husband Gilberto

1960 Master’s Degree in Industrial Psychology, Univ of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

1964 New York Port Authority, Supervisor Human Resources

1966 Management Consultant for industries in Santo Domingo, Venezuela, Guatemala, El Salvador

1973 Executive Director for Department of Human Resources of Puerto Rico (OCAP)

1977 Founded Institute for Productivity (INPRO)

1985 Married Lcdo. Carlos Rivera Hernandez. Travelled the world together and gained a new family

1993 Published first of five textbooks on Management and Supervision

2010 Moved to Tampa Bay area to be near her family