Clinical Surgical Nurse
UC Davis Medical Center – Main Operating Room
Metro EDGE Philanthropy Co-chair
Email Vanessa 

The post 15 Minutes of F.A.M.E. with Vanessa Garcia appeared first on Metro EDGE.

Nate Sebok
Associate Architect
Mogavero Notestine Associates
Email Nate 

Where do you currently work, how long have you been there, what do you do?
I am an architect at Mogavero Notestine Associates. I have been here about eight years. We specialize in sustainable design and urban infill. Some of our notable projects downtown are the new Greyhound station and the eight story residential mid-rise on 7th and H street. I am currently managing the design and construction of a market rate apartment complex that is across the street from Raley Field. The second phase will have outdoor decks to watch the ballgame from. It has been a very exciting project.

Prior to that?
My wife and I moved to Boston for a while after we graduated, knowing we would eventually come back to California. From there, we moved to Sacramento and I bounced around a couple firms trying to find a good fit.

What is your educational background?
I went to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and graduated with an undergraduate degree in architecture and a MBA. I miss SLO a lot, it was a perfect place to go to school.

What is the best part of your job?
I get to have a tangible impact on our city and the way it will grow. Our work has a significant influence on how people live, work and play; it’s exciting to be a part of that and help people lead healthier lives.

What do you love about living here?
I like how close it is to so many things. My family and I often go to Tahoe, Napa, and San Francisco.

What is one thing that might surprise people about you?
A few years ago, I biked across the state of Colorado; all off road. It was one of the hardest things I have ever done.

When you aren’t in the office where can we find you?
On a mountain bike in Tahoe, or less frequently, on a beach in Cabo with some good tequila.

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John Stevens

Where do you currently work, how long have you been there, what do you do?
I work at CustomerLink Systems in the marketing department as the Online Marketing Manager, and I’ve been there for two years. I created and maintain the main website for CustomerLink and I run our online marketing activities including email, pay-per-click advertising as well as our search engine optimization efforts.  Since it’s a small marketing department, I also get a chance to work on a lot of off-line, more traditional, marketing projects for the company as well.

Prior to that?
Prior to CustomerLink, I worked as a freelance web developer and online marketing consultant, primarily partnering with talented designers and building websites for small to medium sized businesses.  I’ve also worked as the Marketing Director for a local law firm and, before a career change about five years ago, I worked as a Workers’ Compensation Claims Adjuster for several years.

What is your educational background?
I have a degree in psychology from UCLA. Go Bruins!

What is the best part of your job?
Creating cool stuff that people use!  I love it when people get excited about something that I’ve created or helped to create.

What do you love about living here?
Sacramento is a great place to live! I love the weather, all the great local produce and restaurants and the ability to jump in the car for an hour or so and be sitting at the beach or walking through quiet forests deep in the Sierras.

What is one thing that might surprise people about you?
People are surprised these days that I’m a good athlete and used to be a high school quarterback.  I guess that doesn’t jive with the glasses and all the computer code that I write now.

When you aren’t in the office where can we find you?
You can find me hanging out with my two daughters and wife, sitting in my home office writing code, on the golf course or, during football season, yelling at the TV in my living room.

The post 15 minutes of F.A.M.E. with John Stevens appeared first on Metro EDGE.

Ryan Porter
2013 Metro EDGE Chair & Senior Project Engineer at Rudolph & Sletten, Inc.
Email Ryan

Where do you currently work, how long have you been there, what do you do? I work as a Senior Project Engineer at Rudolph & Sletten, Inc., a local commercial general contractor. I have been with R&S for five years now and I currently manage a handful of hospital remodel construction projects on the Kaiser Roseville Medical Campus. On a daily basis my roles include: overseeing budgets, developing construction schedules, mitigating risks, managing contracts and doing anything else needed to ensure our owners get a quality building tailored to their needs at the end of the day.

Prior to that? I joined R&S straight out of college as a graduate from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. I also worked as an intern for R&S before I graduated, and tried out other forms of construction management via internships during my educational years at Cal Poly

What is your educational background? I received my Bachelors of Science in Construction Management from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2007.

What is the best part of your job? I typically encounter something new every day and I always have to be ready to problem solve. Some days I need to visualize how a structure will come together and other days I need to manage team dynamics and personalities. It’s nice to be challenged and constantly develop. It’s also nice to know that 10-15 years from now I can point to buildings in town and tell my children I helped build those.

What do you love about living here?  I love Sacramento because it is a great “big-little city.” I get a strong sense of community involvement living here, while still feeling like this town is big enough to set my sights high. This town also instills a sense that I can make a difference through local involvement with organizations like Metro EDGE and the Metro Chamber. How many other top 25 market cities would be able to inspire that feeling?

What is one thing that might surprise people about you? I’m considered an outgoing guy by most of my friends and acquaintances, but I get just as much enjoyment from a quiet weekend reading as I do from hitting the town for good food, good drinks and good company.

When you aren’t in the office where can we find you? I live just around the corner from Freemont Park downtown and my ideal weekends include a morning walk to Naked Lounge Coffee Shop with my wife and our little puppy Wally and a quick stroll through the park. If I’m feeling adventurous, a trip to the swing set always seems to lift my spirits. I’m usually the biggest kid on the playground, so I should be easy to find.

The post 15 MINUTES OF F.A.M.E. WITH Your Metro EDGE Chair appeared first on Metro EDGE.

Michael Young
Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist
Sacramento Regional Transit District
email Michael

Where do you currently work, how long have you been there, what do you do?

For the past four years, I have been employed with Sacramento Regional Transit (RT) and was promoted nearly a year ago to a senior marketing and communications specialist. I work to conceptualize and implement external and internal communications strategies. Campaigns are aimed at increasing ridership, informing RT’s customer base and improving the district’s public image. I also produce RT’s newsletters, handle our social media and assist in special events. We have a small team so everyone needs to be ready to help out wherever we can.

Prior to that?

Before joining RT, I worked at Katz and Associates for a year assisting local and state government clients with public relations and community outreach. My first real job out of college was as a communications writer for the old Grant Joint Union High School District. There, I learned a lot about being an in-house professional writer and a Grant Pacers football fan.

What is your educational background?

I graduated from Sacramento State with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and a minor in business management. Writing and editing for The State Hornet newspaper was key in my development.

What is the best part of your job?

One of my favorite parts of the job is working with our police services on public awareness and safety campaigns. Our officers are great men and women and I am allowed a lot of creative leeway in the projects. We’ll have a cool public awareness campaign featuring comic-book style elements rolling out soon.

What do you love about living here?

You mean besides the light rail? Which works great for me by the way. Ha. The Sacramento region is a great place to live. It’s just large enough to offer a solid economic base while providing good nightlife and great recreation.

What is one thing that might surprise people about you?

That I was awesome coxswain in college and coached the Sacramento State men’s novice rowing team for three years after graduation. My size fits the bill for a coxswain though, I’m only about 5-foot-6-inches tall and 125 pounds soaking wet.

When you aren’t in the office where can we find you?

Sacramento’s rivers, lakes, and trails offer great boarding and cycling options during the warmer months. I’m also a huge sports fan, so in the winter I hunker down a bit more and love watching the NBA and NFL, much to my wife’s chagrin.

The post 15 Minutes of F.A.M.E. with Michael Young appeared first on Metro EDGE.

Rosie Echeverria
Trade Marketing and Export Specialist
SunFoods, LLC

Where do you currently work, how long have you been there, what do you do?

I work at SunFoods, LLC, located in Woodland, CA.  We are the miller and marketer of Hinode Rice. I’ve worked at SunFoods almost four years and have been fortunate to get to be involved in many aspects of the business including export, customer service and currently trade marketing and sales.

Prior to that?

Prior to working at SunFoods, I worked for another rice company doing sales/marketing for about four years. I have also have worked in real estate and still keep my license current for opportunities that come up from time to time.

What is your educational background?

I hold a B.S. in Agribusiness from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

What is the best part of your job?

I’m really lucky to work with some great people both from our office and from outside entities that we work closely with. I especially enjoy meeting our growers and hearing about their farming operations.  For the majority of them, farming is not only a job, it’s a lifestyle-one which I’ve really grown to respect and admire.

What do you love about living here?

I grew up locally in Dixon so I love the feeling of “being home.” I also enjoy the fact that in the same night I could enjoy an elegant dinner in downtown Sacramento followed by a trip to the world record corn maze; all within a half hour of where I live. Best of both worlds I guess you could say.

What is one thing that might surprise people about you?

Ask me where I want to eat and 50% of the time I’m going to choose In-N-Out Burger.

When you aren’t in the office where can we find you?

I enjoy spending my free time with my family, friends and pets. I also enjoy running, horseback riding and cooking.

The post 15 MINUTES OF F.A.M.E. WITH Rosie Echeverria appeared first on Metro EDGE.

Jaclyn Powell

1.       Where do you currently work, how long have you been there, what do you do?
I am a business attorney and shareholder at Smith, McDowell & Powell, A Law Corporation (“SMP”). I launched SMP in May 2012 with two close friends, Jason Smith and Brad McDowell.

2.       Prior to that?
Previously, I spent four years at a private civil litigation firm in Sacramento, where I maintained a corporate transactional, construction and litigation practice.

3.       What is your educational background?
I received a Bachelor’s Degree from UC Davis and a Juris Doctorate from University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law.

4.       What is the best part of your job?
Helping so many diverse Sacramento businesses and entrepreneurs achieve their goals. As general counsel, when my clients succeed, I feel like I was part of it.

5.       What do you love about living here?
In Sacramento, everything is less than 20 minutes away: a great downtown, fun nightlife, entertaining outdoor activities, excellent dining, the suburbs, shopping, etc.

6.       What is one thing that might surprise people about you?
People are often surprised to learn that I have a twin sister.

7.       When you aren’t in the office where can we find you?
Working from home!  No, when I’m not working you can usually find me along the river in West Sacramento with my Black Lab and Golden Retriever.

The post 15 Minutes of F.A.M.E. with Jaclyn Powell appeared first on Metro EDGE.

Jose Bodipo-Memba

Tell us about your current position? My focus is on Wind Energy Projects and CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act)/NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) Compliance.

Prior to that?  Senior Project Manager at PBS&J

What is your educational background? B.A. History from UC Berkeley.  I will complete my MBA at Drexel University in September 2012.

What do you love about living here?  I love the quality of life we enjoy here in Sacramento.  We have  a great mix of urban, suburban, and rural environments that is hard to find anywhere else. Plus, despite recent economic setbacks, I really believe that Sacramento offers young professionals with unique opportunities for personal and professional growth due to the relatively close knit network. I am truly excited about being a part of the next chapter of Sacramento’s evolution.

What is one thing that might surprise people about you?  I am a stand-up comedy nerd.  I love to laugh and love going to live shows at all of the local comedy spots (Laughs Unlimited, Tommy T’s, Punchline).  If a comedian can bring me to tears, I’m sold!

When you aren’t in the office where can we find you?  You are likely to see me enjoying a nice meal at one of the great restaurants in Downtown/Midtown.  There are too many options to just choose one.

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Matthew D. Roy
Law Offices of Matthew D. Roy
Email Matthew

1.       Where do you currently work, how long have you been there, what do you do?

I am a general practitioner with the Law Offices of Matthew D. Roy.  We are a small boutique law firm that focuses on family law (Divorce, Child Custody, and Domestic Violence) and personal bankruptcy (Chapter 7 and Chapter 13).  I opened the firm in 2010.   My office also handles criminal defense, probate, and simple estate planning needs.

2.       Prior to that?

I opened my law firm approximately 10 months after being sworn in as a member of the State Bar of California.  I graduated in the worst economy since the great depression so while I couldn’t find a job I volunteered for the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Domestic Violence Project (DVP).  At the DVP I helped prepare restraining orders for victims of domestic violence and got to represent them in court.  It gave me great experience working with people and going to court on a weekly basis.  Prior to Law School I was a Series-3 licensed commodities broker.

3.       What is your educational background?

JD From University of thePacificMcGeorgeSchoolof Law – 2008

BA in Government from Sac State – 2002

4.       What is the best part of your job?

Getting to work with clients and helping to resolve their problems.  Some of my clients find themselves in serious financial trouble.  It feels good seeing that I can help relive some of their stress and focus on the more important things in life.

5.       What do you love about living here?

Sacramentohas a distinct personality and a quite a bit of charm to it.  I love the rivers and the trees (except come springtime) and the fact that we actually experience seasons.  None of them are too extreme.  We also have good restaurants and a bourgeoning art scene.  The people, though, are really what makeSacramentoa great place to live.

6.       What is one thing that might surprise people about you?

I speak Spanish fluently.

7.       When you aren’t in the office where can we find you?

These days you can find me on the campaign trail!  I am running for a seat on the Sacramento City Charter Commission.  Talking to residents and meeting with businesses and community groups takes up most of my free time.  Luckily, I love meeting people and this type of campaign really energizes me.

The post 15 MINUTES OF FAME :: Matthew Roy appeared first on Metro EDGE.

Naisha Covarrubias
Murphy, Campbell, Guthrie & Alliston
ncovarrubias@murphycampbell.com

Tell us about your current position? I work as an attorney at Murphy, Campbell, Guthrie & Alliston,  a local civil litigation law firm.  I specialize in employment, railroad, and public entity defense.  

Prior to that? I worked as an associate attorney in another local civil litigation firm.

What is your educational background? I have a Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Irvine and a Juris Doctorate from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law with a certificate in Taxation Law.

What is the best part of your job? The immense feeling of accomplishment I get when I obtain a good result for my clients.  It’s always nice to be on the winning side!

What do you love about living here?

It’s the biggest little city.  Sacramento is great because it has the strong sense of community of a small town, with all the amenities of a big city.  I also love all the trees! 

What is one thing that might surprise people about you? I didn’t speak English until I was about 5, and if you catch me off guard, there is a 99.9% chance I will respond to you in Spanish.

When you aren’t in the office where can we find you? Out of the country!! If I am in town, you are almost sure to catch me hosting a fabulous dinner party, out in my garden or doing some kind of home improvement project. 

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