This month, we are celebrating Howard Lobb’s 20th work anniversary with CoEd!
We think that deserves a celebration!
Many of you’ve had the chance to meet Howard on our tours to Guatemala and get to know the Gran Jaguar himself. (Back story time! When Howard was introducing himself to some children at a school in Guatemala, they had never heard the name “Howard” before, so they thought that he was saying his name was “Jaguar”, and the nickname stuck. Because he is so tall, we sometimes call him El Gran Jaguar, the big jaguar, which is also the name of one of the Maya temples at Tikal!) But if you haven’t had the honor of meeting Howard yet, you might be wondering, who is this guy and how did he get here? Well, we’re here to walk you along his journey and celebrate the amazing impact he’s had on shaping our organization thus far.
In 1996, Howard went to Guatemala for the very first time to see a developing country and to explore volunteer opportunities. “My mother was always encouraging me to do service for others, and so I went down to see a Catholic mission. Immediately, I was in awe of how beautiful Guatemala was and how friendly the people were.”
After that trip, he was offered an opportunity by Sister Kris Schrader to come back and volunteer for the Catholic mission by helping to teach in their middle school. It turns out that the school, “La Labor,” was where Joe and Jeff Berninger, CoEd’s Founders, had just started their first textbook cooperative. He met Jeff and Joe, and they quickly became friends as they realized that they had many shared values, including a passion for education.
Howard teaching in “La Labor” school in 1997
Joe, Jeff, and Howard in Guatemala
“After this first time volunteering in Guatemala, I became obsessed thinking about what was possible with human development and adding to the quality of people’s lives. What was the objective? What could we do to make true, lasting improvements to people’s lives that allowed them to maintain what was already good in their lives, but yet help them create additional options in life?”
Fast forward a few years, Joe remembered, “So, it’s the year 2001. CoEd had just received a grant from Microsoft for $50,000 to put a computer lab in a school. The problem was, at that point, CoEd didn’t HAVE a computer project. $50K for a computer lab…and no capacity to put in computer labs. CoEd was just a textbook project only for the first 4 years.”
Joe called him up and said, “Howard…have I got an offer for you…we need you in Guatemala. Just give me 3 months and you can go back to your life.” Howard thought “I always thought my work in human development would be related to environmental work, but something about this opportunity rang true. It seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I knew it would be so much fun working with Joe and Jeff. So, I took a leave of absence from my job and went!”
In 2001, after installing the first center in Tecpán, Howard then decided to leave his corporate career in engineering to stay in Guatemala and help truly develop the second of CoEd’s four educational programs in Guatemala: the Computer Centers Program.
Howard in 2002 meeting with the staff of the Patzun Cooperative school to help them with CoEd’s 4th ever Computer Center
Howard and the rest of the 2003 Computer Program team
Howard showing new computers to girl students and mothers in a Computer Center in 2004
Howard working with a student at a CoEd Computer Center in 2020
Even though CoEd was only a few years old, he jumped right in and wanted to help provide a vision for expanding the program into the vital arena of technology skills. “It was such an exciting time: from understanding how to set up client-server networks, to benchmarking tech-in-education best practices with my educator friends back in the States, to creating our first ever teacher training and coaching model, and to building the revolving fund plan based on the Textbook Program’s sustainability model. And it was so fun learning from the small CoEd team at that time, Joe, Jeff, Horacio, Anne, Alvaro, and to then help build the computer team that would really make the program and the student learning possible.”
“Growing up in the Midwest of the US, I had little concept of Central America as a kid. If anything, the few images that I saw on the TV news were less than positive. But working here, I have seen Guatemala through new eyes. I have seen the true capability and professionalism of my Guatemalan co-workers and their heart and humor, and they inspire me as I learn from them and as I see them make continuous and incredible improvements to our work.”
Today, the program provides critical and life-changing technical skills to nearly 14,000 impoverished schoolchildren each day through our network of 53 computer centers.
Howard leading CoEd’s tours to Guatemala and showing supporters our programs in action
When asked about Howard, Joe said, “Howard is the real deal. He walks the talk. He gave up a lucrative career, his home, and proximity to family and friends, to follow his calling. He is more than just a co-worker, he’s a friend. During difficult times, he keeps me sane and makes me laugh. Howard…el Jaguar…is an irreplaceable part of our team. His leadership and his personal example inspires each of us to reach higher and strive further.”
Congratulations Howard on your 20 years of dedication and service to the children and families of Guatemala. You have certainly exemplified Rotary’s motto of “Service above Self”. It was a pleasure meeting you in 2017 and 2018 and seeing the results of Coed’s projects.
Thank you, Kathleen, for your kind words. It was a pleasure traveling with you as well, and I hope to see you down here again sometime!
Warm congratulations to El Gran Jaguar! We visited Howard and his family in Guatemala in 2017 and were thrilled to visit a CoEd school. Howard’s love for the students and the people of Guatemala is abundantly clear. Howard, your work and vision is an inspiration to all of us. Mil gracias!!
Hi dear Tara! Yes, that was a great trip, and I’m always thankful that you guys came down and had time to visit a school that day. (I’m awaiting your next trip 🙂 You and my other Valpo college friends certainly helped create a culture of doing good in the world. Thank you for that! By the way, the president of our board in Cinci, Heidi, is a Valpo alum too!
I love Howard. Whenever we are in Guatemala leading a Habitat for Humanity build, we save a day to visit Howard. He is such an inspiration. His enthusiasm for improving the lives of children in Guatemala is contagious. Thank you, Howard, for taking the time to share your enthusiasm with us!
Laurie, it’s easy to be inspirational when you’re surrounded by inspiring people like you, Skip and family. Thank you for your fantastic friendship and your unconditional support of the kids here. I look forward to more fun and when you can come down, as soon as the cloud of this pandemic lifts!
Congratulations, Howard! We have SO enjoyed meeting and traveling with you! You are the best!! from Sean, Janel, Tori and Isabel Connelly
My dear Chicago friends! Thank you for your kind remarks. I look forward to when I can see you in my old stomping grounds of Chicagoland too, and not only here in Guatemala. Take care of yourselves and of course, go Cubs!
Howie, as your Mom, it’s been very rewarding and sometimes difficult to share you with COED. I am very proud of the contribution that both COED and you have made to so many lives and that .they have made to you. We have many happy memories of the times we have spent in Guatemala and the friends we have met there. I am very proud of you, your family, and our family for sharing you!!
Thanks Mom. Yes it’s quite ironic that you inspired me to serve others, but then you paid the price with me leaving home. 🙂
Regardless, thank you for your teachings and inspiration and now for your understanding. We miss not seeing you during this pandemic, and we love you tons.
Congratulations Howie Lobb from one of your many Phi Psi brother fans! Such great work and an inspiration to us all – Thank you!
I predict decade three will be full of overdue friend visits – looking forward!
Congratulations Howard, your twenty years have inspired many and made life richer for hundreds of children. Your passion for your work is contagious and your affection for Guatemala is laudatory.
All us relatives wish you and Lucy et al, were closer but, you followed your heart, which was the right thing to do and the recognition you are receiving plus the hundreds whose life is now fuller with possibilities reveal your decision and passion.
We are all proud of you Howie and I know your Dad would be also. Blessings to you and the family; keep up the good work.
Hi Uncle Doug! It’s always a pleasure reading your well-written word. And your spiritual wisdom has always been so enriching for me to listen to and inspiring to me. Between you, Judy, Dad, Mom and G&G, I certainly have had plenty of good mentors in my life. Thank you. Lucy, the boys and I look forward to our next reunion, either up there, or maybe down here in Guate?! Lots of love,
Congrats, Howie. What a great story! Very impressive, El Gran Jaguar. Hope we can visit you and the great work that Coed is doing again soon.
Hey Tim, thank you! Your last trip here was so much fun. I look forward to another trip from you, Tara and perhaps others from Valpo?!
Congratulations Howard on your inspirational 20 years with CoEd and your dedication to helping the children of Guatemala. My wife Janet and I were fortunate to visit you, Joe and the rest of your great team just before Covid struck last February. Not only did we get to witness your tremendous work, but we had the chance to socialize as well. We wish you nothing but continued success in your mission and service. -Bob
Hi Bob, it’s nice to hear from you! Again, thank you for coming down last year (the year of the KC Chiefs!) and for being part of our collective work here. It takes many hands. Hope to see you and Janet again.
Howard, you’re a gem. Congratulations on 20 years of impactful service! You have improved the lives of generations of students. Just think: the students in those early photos are now in their mid 30s! It was an honor to attend your wedding, meet Lucy, and see all of your great work. Meesun and I still have great memories of Guatemala and hope to visit again soon. Blessings on all of your work!
Thad, thank you brother for your kind words. Just don’t scare me with that reflection about our graduated students being 35 years old now! Thanks for all of the educational ideas over the years, as you also are in “the good fight” to educate. I think it’s time for a wedding reunion trip and I hope you, Meesun and the girls can come.
Congratulations Howard. Seeing you is one of the highlights that I look forward to when I visit Guatemala. It’s so evident by your smile that you love your job with Coed and the people of Guatemala and you are love back just as much.
Thank you Rose! I too look forward to seeing you every year (or almost every year) when you come here to help with the projects. You are a great example of a dedicated supporter of the kids here, who is also a lot of fun to be with! Thank you for making our collective work so enjoyable and impactful. 🙂
Congratulations, Howard! I can’t imagine CoEd without you! Your impact on the lives of so many students is immeasurable. May it continue for many more years!
Howard: Thank you for 20 years of giving your heart and soul to helping those less fortunate than you. Carol and I were very impressed when meeting you during our first trip to Guatemala in 2007. We’ve remained impressed each trip and can see “the difference one person can make.” Your charismatic personality not only makes a difference to the children you help, but inspires those of us who observe from afar.
Don and Carol Bilse
Thank you Don and Carol! It’s so great to hear from you. Now I just have to figure out a way to see you again! Your comments made my day. I really appreciate your friendship and your support of the kids here. Thank you so much!
A giant! Yes, physically and in spirit, Howard exemplifies it. We’ve missed him over these two decades (wow!?) up in the north but happy to hear these stories that surprise none of us who have had even glancing encounters with this warm + wise and generous + genuine person. Congratulations on this impressive milestone of commitment and service. Guatamala and CoEd has gained much from this servant leader. Bless you Howard and thanks for being Howard. Pete Dull
Peter, thanks for your kind words. Yes, I have missed running around the Seattle neighborhood with you, too. If I’m any of the things that you mentioned, certainly a good part of that is due to rubbing shoulders with fine folk like you and our other college friends. Thanks for being an influence on me. And thank you and Judith and the girls for everything you guys have made possible in our reading program over the years. All the best to you, amigo.
Howie, congratulations on 20 amazing and inspiring years at CoEd and for encouraging Mike and me to be part of it, albeit at a distance. We love you, Cousin, and Lucy & the boys and want to visit you sometime after the pandemic is under control.
Hi Cuz, thanks for your kind words. Lucy, the boys and I appreciate all of your love, fun and friendship and we can’t wait to see you guys again as soon as possible. Thanks to you both for sponsoring your Rise student. I would love for you to come down here and give a talk to our students, mainly the girls, so that they can see an example of a true woman leader and entrepreneur. Here’s hoping. Love you both!