|
I was invited by Justin-Siena engineering instructor, Chris Fidler ‘02, to attend his class to hear alums Nick Kinda '11 and Alejandro Navarro '15 talk about being an engineer, what to expect in college, and the challenges of collegiate engineering projects. After their presentation, Alejandro shared that he loved giving back to Justin-Siena. I wanted to learn more about his time at Justin-Siena and why giving back to his alma mater was so important to him.
Alejandro and his little brother Alonzo grew up in Calistoga with their parents. His father worked for Kendall Jackson Winery for many years while his mom worked as a teaching assistant for the local school district. A student in public school in Calistoga through the 8th grade, Alejandro loved attending Justin-Siena’s Brave for a Day. His mom trusted that he would be able to attend and when everything successfully fell into place, he was excited and grateful.
Alejandro thought he would be the only student coming from Calistoga. He called it a “solo adventure.” Getting on the school bus for the long ride to school was intimidating but once here, the sense of nervousness left and Alejandro made new friends with ease. He also met his best friend, Gabe Fitzpatrick ’15, on the bus. He had met Gabe years prior through Little League and altar serving at the local Calistoga Catholic church. From the beginning, Alejandro felt that his teachers truly cared for him and wanted him to succeed in all of his classes.
Coming from the “top of the class” in the 8th grade to a larger pool of students his freshman year, he embraced the challenge of reaching for a raised academic bar. It pushed him to work harder. The JS iPAD program also initiated his sophomore year. Personally, Alejandro found the iPAD to be a distraction as it was easy to play games with friends instead of listening to the teacher.
His sophomore year, Justin-Siena’s engineering program launched with Mr. Fidler ‘02 at the helm. Excelling in both math and science, Alejandro had the confidence to apply to the program; he was accepted. It was an exciting time! The class followed the curriculum of Project Lead The Way (PLTW) which gave students a taste of each engineering discipline. They built cookie-making robots, 3D modeled libraries, and 3D printed lightsabers. The class was learning together and the camaraderie was important to Alejandro. When Justin-Siena received their first 3D printer, Alejandro thought it was a remarkable way to create. “The ability to take an idea, to model it and hold it in your hand in a few hours was nothing short of magic,” he said. That’s when he knew he wanted to become an engineer.
After Justin-Siena, Alejandro attended Oregon State University where he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in March 2020. Alejandro finds strength in group work and collaboration. He understood that pulling together people from different backgrounds and areas of strength was the best way to learn and problem solve. This collaborative spirit continues in his professional life today.
Travel is important to Alejandro. There is a core group of six friends who travel to a new destination each year. Creating forever memories with his buddies is something that he cherishes. They just returned from a backpacking trip in Zion, UT early this Spring.
After graduation, Alejandro was disheartened when finding a job in mechanical engineering seemed impossible. “Filling out application after application, just to be rejected 2 months later, was really discouraging.” In 2020, he began working for his family's company, Dos Vinas Vineyard Management as a field engineer until he could find his next move. Soon he was designing defense systems for General Dynamics in Healdsburg, CA. In 2021, he briefly took a job in the cannabis industry taking him to South Sacramento, where he first noticed the importance of the HVAC system. Realizing he wanted to be near family, he soon returned to the Napa Valley.
Never doubting that he would find the job that would launch his engineering career, he hustled and cold-called Napa engineering firms–ready to pitch anyone who answered their phone. One lucky phone call to Axiom Engineers was picked up by company CEO Ray Cole. Cole listened to Alejandro talk about his qualities: a fast learner, excellent communication and social skills. At the end of that call, Cole invited him in for an interview.
The rest is history. On Feb 14, 2022, Alejandro was hired as a mechanical engineer with the title Mechanical Designer, and was recently promoted to Assistant Project Lead. The company, now called ColeBreit Engineering, also employs Justin-Siena alumni Nick Kinda‘11 and Paul Griffin ‘79.
Alejandro feels blessed by his time at Justin-Siena. Recalling his impactful Venaver trip to Arizona, he is reminded how thankful he is for his family and the farming community. He expressed his immense gratitude for the preparation Justin-Siena provided him and, most notably, for his mentor Mr. Fidler. “Coming back to Justin-Siena to speak to the Engineering class felt so good. I have always wanted to give back.” Alejandro is excited for the current students in the JS engineering course and for the exciting careers they will have, too.
It was a pleasure to spend time with Alejandro. You truly are ALLHEART!
Alejandro pointed out that the empty frames on the wall in the JS Engineering Department, called the Hall of Fame, have a purpose -- they are ready to showcase alumni in engineering. Currently, there are two frames filled–Alejandro himself and Donna Roscoe ’17. If you are an engineer, please connect with me so I can learn your story and fill another frame.
Go Braves!
| 
