"Many of the emergency responses that I have been a part of in the SNS were large-scale and impacted many different communities, including the Latino/Hispanic communities."
What motivated you to work at ASPR? I was motivated to join the Strategic National Stockpile after the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001. I’m a logistics manager with 30 years of experience. My job is to ensure the U.S. government can store, maintain, and deliver viable medical materiel where and when it is needed. Medical logistics is the backbone of Strategic National Stockpile (SNS) operations.
Does your heritage shape the way that you serve the public or give you a unique perspective that contributes to public service? Most of my family has served in the U.S. military and in public service sectors; it’s just what we do. I grew up and have lived in military communities around the world, and I have experienced many diverse cultures throughout my life and during my military service. One thing I appreciated the most about my military service was that, regardless of where anyone comes from in the military, it takes accountability, resiliency, and teamwork to achieve the mission. In the SNS and ASPR, I am fortunate to serve alongside many other public servants with similar backgrounds and experiences.
Has your work impacted Hispanic or Latino communities? Many of the emergency responses that I have been a part of in the SNS were large-scale and impacted many different communities, including the Latino/Hispanic communities. Most recently, I have orchestrated movements of surplus material to our partner federal agencies such as the Health Resources and Services Administration, which serves rural hospitals. One of the main rewards of being part of the SNS is that what we do impacts favorable outcomes in a time of need.
