Family, Community, and Showing Up
Showing Up for the People and Communities That Shape Us
Family has always been one of the most important parts of my life.
I am the proud father of two sons, and throughout the years I made it a priority to be present for the moments that mattered— the games, the activities, the everyday responsibilities, and the times when simply being there meant the most.
Over the years, I've discovered that supporting the people I care about often leads to some interesting adventures.
When my sons were growing up, youth sports became part of our family life. I first showed up as a dad — cheering from the sidelines, helping where I could, and wanting my boys to have a place to learn teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship.
That commitment eventually grew beyond my own family. I became involved with Salmon Creek Little League from 2009 to 2012, and served as coach and league president, supporting young athletes, coaches, and families throughout the Salmon Creek community.
During that time, youth baseball faced real challenges with facilities, funding, and sponsorship. As president, I worked with parents, volunteers, Clark County Public Works, and community members to help create better opportunities for kids to play and grow. That effort was even referenced in The Columbian during community discussions about the need for additional support.
Those experiences reinforced something I've always believed: strong communities are built when people step forward, contribute their time, and work together toward a common goal.
Looking back, those years taught me that showing up matters — not only for your own children, but for the children of the community too
Years later, when my younger son, Colton, left for school, showing up took on a very different form: I became the caretaker of his pet snake "Chloe". While I was perfectly comfortable with the arrangement, my wife Gladys had a slightly different perspective. On more than one occasion, the adventurous reptile managed to escape its enclosure, creating a memorable search-and-rescue mission around the house. Let's just say there were one or two moments when my otherwise fearless wife was considerably less enthusiastic about our temporary houseguest than I was.
Supporting loved ones has never been limited to family. Whether helping friends move, assisting neighbors, or stepping in whenever someone needs an extra set of hands, I've always believed that showing up for others matters.
That belief was put to good use when Gladys served two terms as President of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Oregon Professional Chapter (SHPE Oregon) from 2021 to 2023. While I never held an official title, I often joke that I became the chapter's "unofficial Vice President of Operations."
Behind every successful event was a long list of tasks that needed attention—setting up, moving equipment, solving last-minute problems, transporting supplies, and helping ensure everything ran smoothly. I was happy to play a supporting role. Watching the chapter grow and seeing the impact it had on students and professionals was incredibly rewarding.
Looking back, I realize that family, community, and showing up have always been connected in my life. Whether supporting my family, helping friends, volunteering in the community, or assisting an organization I believe in, I've always found satisfaction in being useful and contributing to something larger than myself.
I suppose caring deeply about my family naturally extended into caring about my community. I've learned that some of life's greatest rewards come not from what we accomplish for ourselves, but from the positive difference we make in the lives of others.