Download Bookmark
Current job: Mechanical Engineer for the Department of Defense – Naval Sea Systems Command, Naval Surface Warfare Center – Port Hueneme Division
What life experiences may have led you to a career in STEM?
A natural aptitude to “fix” things; being called upon to fix various things from toys, radios and bicycles to appliances, motorcycles and cars.
Also, my father being a civil engineer with the County of Ventura in Land Development, a Planning Commissioner for over 29 years for the City of Oxnard, as well as an Eagle Scout Master, help encouraged me to look into a STEM career. Also, early exposure to Rockwell International’s Rocketdyne Division (where Space Shuttle Main Engines were built and tested) when I was in 9th grade greatly influenced my STEM Career desires.
What are some fun and interesting facts about your life with which students might identify?
I always had a desire to fly, and being an astronaut was even my goal. Also, I wanted to be an NBA player. But after a congressional appointment to the prestigious U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO, my eye was not sharp enough to be a pilot. I was not a superstar in basketball — I learned only 4 percent of all college players ever make it into the NBA. So I had to shift my focus back to earthly education and local achievements. BUT, these setbacks were a setup for a comeback — just a long time in the making! So, I am
very grateful AND excited to still be positively affecting change in people’s lives as an engineer and entrepreneur today.
What other other things should students know about you?
I am currently Sr. Pastor of The Victory Zone! in Ventura, CA and a radio show host of Kingdom Life Conversations on 98.3 FM The Word, airing on Saturday afternoons at 3:30 p.m. I am also active with my fraternity, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. – Gold Coast Ques Chapter, and we are currently facilitating a Rites of Passage program for boys 8 – 18, mentoring them into manhood! Lastly, I am a new corporate board member of XiXi NOW, a new products/services company that is redefining excellence from the inside, out!
