I am a first-generation American, born and raised in Sacramento. My parents migrated from Mexico over 30 years ago. Right after high school, I joined the United States Marine Corps, where I served six years, stationed in places such as Kampala, Uganda, Tokyo, Japan, and Berlin, Germany. As a junior Marine, I held roles such as Records and Equipment Manager, to more senior positions such as Assistant Detachment Commander, where I was directly responsible for 18 Marines.
After the Marines, I went to Sacramento State for my undergraduate degree in Economics. While there, I held student internship positions at the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, and California State Teachers' Retirement System.