My story begins in the mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico, in the small community of San Juan Mixtepec. I am an immigrant and a proud member of the Indigenous Mixteco community. Mixteco was my first language, and my early years were shaped by the culture, traditions, and values of my family and community.

When my family moved to Oregon, I faced the challenge of adapting to a new country, culture, and language. The 1990s were not always easy. Learning English and strengthening my Spanish while navigating a new educational system required perseverance, resilience, and determination.

I knew that education would play an important role in creating opportunities for my future. I earned an associate degree in Electronics Engineering and began my career at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in Washington State. Entering a world filled with highly educated scientists, engineers, and researchers was both exciting and intimidating. Although I was grateful for the opportunity, I often struggled with feelings of self-doubt and uncertainty about my place in such an accomplished environment.

Determined to continue growing, I returned to school and earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering, followed by a master’s degree in project management. Along the way, I also served for ten years in the Army National Guard as a Fuel Specialist and deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Outside of my professional career, I have been actively involved in my local church, serving as a worship leader, singing, playing bass guitar, and supporting my community through service and outreach.

While education, military service, and community involvement helped me grow professionally and personally, I still felt that something was missing. Despite my accomplishments, I often felt like I was wandering without a clear sense of direction.

Several years later, I began working with a coach who helped me uncover areas of my life that needed attention and growth. The most significant of these was self-confidence. Developing greater self-confidence transformed how I viewed myself, my career, and my future. It helped me understand where I was, where I wanted to go, and how to move forward with purpose. Building confidence continues to be an important part of my personal growth journey today.

After more than 26 years in a research and development environment, I have learned that growth is a lifelong process. There is always more to discover—about science, leadership, relationships, and ourselves. Throughout my journey, coaching has been one of the most valuable tools for helping me navigate challenges, gain clarity, and find my path amid uncertainty.

Today, I am happily married to my wonderful wife, and together we are raising two amazing teenage daughters. Outside of work and coaching, I enjoy long-distance running, hiking, listening to audiobooks, podcasts, and music, and engaging in meaningful conversations. I am passionate about learning from others and believe that every person has a unique story worth hearing and a unique potential waiting to be discovered.

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