Meet The Team: Ernesto Diaz Jr. (he/him)
It’s very rare that you find someone as genuine and enthusiastic as Ernesto Diaz Jr, let alone get to work with him daily.
We sat down and got to know Ernesto, and before we knew it we went from asking simple questions to contagious laughter.
What is your coffee order?
It has to be an iced caramel macchiato. I love all the different layers that it has and how they swirl into each other. It’s like art in a cup. BUT, it has to be decaf. My friends always make fun of me for getting decaf coffee, the thing is I am naturally so energetic if I had caffeine I could possibly become a menace to society. I could be the Tasmanian devil on the loose.
What is your walkout song?
Without question, my walkout song is Dave Matthews #41 performed live at Wrigley Field, specifically that version. There are such strong emotions in that song- you have the sax, the violins, the drums all going crazy. It’s everything you need. When that song plays I could run through a brick wall.
What makes Alfred feel like home?
At the cost of sounding super cheesy, it really is the people. Like Olive Garden- when you’re here you’re family. I’ve never been in an environment like Alfred where everyone is so welcoming and not only committed to their own personal growth, but committed to the growth of all those around them. In any other professional situation I’ve been in, I’ve often felt like that classic greek story of Sisyphus pushing the rock up the mountain only to have it roll back down. But here, the story is still true but there’s people along side of me who also have their hand on that rock. Pushing it up together so that it feels like a pebble more than a boulder.
You’re stranded on a deserted island, what are the 3 items you’re taking with you?
A Hammock, water bottle with a purifier in it and the Grateful Dead discography. I’d bring that with me not because they’re my favorite band but because there are so many songs, I know I’d never hear the same song twice.
What does community mean to you?
Community means understanding. It means understanding each other and the common goal, but most importantly understanding differences. A great community doesn’t mean it is all homogenous if anything it means it is a community that thrives in spite of not being homogenous. Having a ton of different people with different ideas and personalities who all want to swim in the same direction. It’s super rare, but when you find it it is amazing.
Where were you before Alfred and how did you get to your current position?
Straight out of college I worked for Enterprise Rent A Car. I know that those rental agencies have a bad rap in the media but it really was a great place to learn many skills but most importantly, learn how to be quick on your feet both literally and mentally. After that I got into healthcare where I was the Director of Logistics for a traveling physicians group. We would visit homebound patients who couldn’t go see a doctor themselves.
I was in charge of making sure everything was right from scheduling to acquiring new patients. I knew I needed a change because I became disillusioned about how the industry wasn’t helping people the way they needed to be helped. But, then I found Alfred and I saw the actions they were actually taking- talking the talk and walking the walk to back up everything they claimed they’d do. I then started as an Alfred, moved to Operations Coordinator, followed by Operations Lead, then Regional Junior Operations Manager and now I’m the Regional Junior Resident Experience Manager.
Now that you’re here, what are you most excited to make happen at Alfred?
I want to ring the bell when we go public. I know I won’t personally be ringing the bell but I want to be on the stage when it happens. I joined Alfred because I saw an interview of Marcela and Jess and I was captivated by their message. It wasn’t just the message, but more so about them as people, as leaders. Since I’ve joined, it’s never felt like it’s been their company, it’s felt like our company. We’re all Alfred and Alfred is all of us. So the work that it will take us there to go public and ring that bell, I really see it being us all up there ringing the bell together.
If you’re interested in becoming a part of our Alfred community, visit our careers page.