Meet Andy Ramirez

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Andy with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
I received that “burn the midnight oil” flame to work hard and provide for my family from my dad Armando Ramirez. To gain perspective, my dad was raised in a military school in Mexico. His single mom was a migrant produce picker who sent money to pay for his schooling in hopes that my dad would receive a good education. In reality, from 8-17 years old, my dad only knew that his mom was in a distant land and his new environment was very strict and uncaring. For years, he had to fend for himself with no older sibling or dad to protect him. Yet, those years instilled an abundance of grit in my dad and a tenacity to move forward even when life was tough.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My blog andyramirez.org is designed to encourage, empower, and inspire people to be great leaders. You might not have that special mentor or boss in your life right now but that should not stop you from being an intentional leader who pours into others. At my website, I give time tested and very practical lessons to blossom the talent that is already inside of you. Here is a way that paying it forward can impact those around you.

Like never before, there is a generation of young people looking for someone to impart wisdom into their life. If we are honest, we too just needed a gentle hand of encouragement to navigate through work politics, relationships, and self-insecurities. In a world where some may seem to have it all (eloquence, wit, and the appearance of talent beyond their years), we must remember people need people to achieve greatness. Just take a moment to remember all the people in your life who have their fingerprints on your success.

As I look back on my life, I remember the countless hours my dad invested in me. At the age of 17 years old, I was determined to learn Spanish but found it so difficult to gain fluency. Each time I tried, native speakers would make fun of me. Finally, after refusing to give into defeat, I asked my dad to take me seriously and teach me the language. Though he would come home tired from work, he took time to have me repeat in both English and Spanish small sentences that one day turned into detailed conversations. I remember how my dad would ask me what I wanted to communicate and then emphasize the details and gestures of the language so I would not miss a minute detail. Because of my dad’s mentorship and a lot of self-determination, I was able to obtain high caliber jobs that required bilingual speaking skills. To this day, I thank my dad for investing in me.

In my municipal endeavors, my career blossomed when a gentleman by the name of Mike Emberton took the time to open a door for a young persistent man desiring to succeed. He celebrated my go-getter spirit and inquisitive mind which ultimately made me think more methodically and strategically. This formula enabled me to help lead long lasting project solutions that have saved millions of dollars for past employers. As a public works and water board director, I can say that Mike’s legacy was to surpass his impact. With a bit of guidance, he allowed me and others to blossom in our own talents. Indeed great leadership does not glory in its own greatness; it inspires the best in others.

Justin Rizzo once said, “by neglecting to train, serve, bless and build up others, what you have is going to have a tendency to become stagnant, dull and lifeless. We were meant to be channels for the Lord to flow through, not pools of standing water…Never stop replicating yourself and sowing into others. Seek to have your ceiling be the floor of those you’re leading and try your absolute best to make other people better than yourself.”

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Never give up, never take no as a final answer (until you have knocked on all doors), and be kind in all you do.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
My parents were there! My mom fed us boys, taught us multiplication, and made sure to drive and pick us up from Kindergarten through the 12 grade! My dad worked hard to provide a roof over our head, clothe us, and spend time with us to teach us sports, the piano, and how to help the poor and needy in Los Angeles.