Sylvia Gucken is responsible for the Ideal Group’s Chairman and CEO executive activities and community initiatives.  She also supports the Ideal Group executive team and activities.  She joined Ideal Steel in 1991, marketing the company’s residential building products and the Ideal Shield product launch.  As the company expanded, Gucken employed interns from local universities to assist company growth in the areas of marketing, quality assurance, safety implementation, and event planning.  

In 1995 and 1996, Gucken served on the Hispanic Manufacturing Center launch team and Ideal Group’s first Detroit operation.  As the newly named Human Resource Director, she implemented a community-based hiring program. This led to her involvement with GRACE, Detroit Hispanic Development Corporation (DHDC), CHASS, Detroit Cristo Rey High School, Southwest Detroit Business Association, and other Southwest Detroit organizations. A member of the Ideal executive team and assistant to the chairman since 2002, Gucken coordinated the launch activities for several Ideal companies including Ideal Shield, Ideal Contracting, and Ideal Setech. 

Gucken assists Frank Venegas, Jr. Chairman and CEO, in executing his community vision for Southwest Detroit.  Both focus their energies on supplementing K-12 education with technology and academic opportunities, strengthening families and building safe neighborhoods.  Working with area non-profits, schools, and businesses, Ideal notable projects include Cadillac Urban Gardens on Merritt, Scarcyny Park, renovating Holy Redeemer Grades School to a 21st Century Learning Environment and multiple neighborhood clean-ups.  

Gucken is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University.  A former teacher, elected Northville Public School Board of Education member and president, and business owner, she particularly enjoys bringing people together to ensure the success of Ideal projects and events.