When
Silvia Perez
immigrated to the United States from Mexico at 12 years old, she embraced every opportunity, an approach that has served her well during her 28-year career at Metropolitan.
Silvia
began at Metropolitan as an intern in 1990, and was hired as a temp engineering aide in the Field Services Unit. Her career then led to a position as an engineer on the Hydroelectric Engineering and Maintenance Team, and she was later promoted to manager of that team.
“I enjoy coaching and mentoring others because we all need a support structure to flourish,” she said. “This is what led me from a technical career path to management.”
Currently serving as interim manager of the WSO’s Power Equipment & Reliability Unit at Weymouth,
Silvia
previously spent four years as manager of the Manufacturing Services Unit, also known as the La Verne Shops.
Her interest in engineering began shortly after she arrived in the United States with her mother and seven siblings. Despite the challenges of beginning a new life and learning a new language, she flourished in a
math magnet
school where she discovered her future career path.
“My mother left Mexico under very difficult circumstances with children in tow, she said. “Once in the US, we had to work at a sewing factory to help put food on the table. It was here where Mom pointed out the importance of a higher education. It was not hard to get the message!”
After graduating from Garfield High School,
Silvia
earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Cal State L.A. and a master’s degree in business administration from Loyola Marymount University.