I grew up in a small town south of San Antonio. We didn’t have much money. My dad was a rancher, and I was the youngest of four kids. But to me, it was the greatest upbringing. We lived in the country, you knew everybody in town, and it was just a great way to grow up.

I became the first in my family to graduate from college, earning my degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio. My parents never pushed me in any particular direction. It was really up to me. I just knew I wanted to be successful.

I joined Luby’s in November 1988, and one of the biggest influences on me was my first General Manager, Mike Hetke. He was calm and level headed, took me under his wing, and taught me things I still think about today.

One thing he told me has always stuck with me: the General Manager is the most important person in the company.

Not because of the title, but because you’re the one who opens the door. You deal with the customers. You develop the crew.

After all these years, I still believe that.

I spent some time as an area leader, but I found being a General Manager much more satisfying. As a GM, you can mold people. You can build relationships with your customers. You get to be part of the community you serve.

That community means a lot to me. We host homecoming alumni breakfasts for several local high schools, and I’m always looking for new ways to bring people together. This fall, we’re working with a local high school band director on a community breakfast series. To me, it’s about continuing to find ways for Luby’s to be part of the neighborhood.

Outside of Luby’s, I’m a lifelong San Antonio Spurs fan. I’ve been following them since I was about five years old, and I still watch just about every game.

But the thing I’m looking forward to most now is being a grandpa. My first grandson was born recently, and with another son getting married, I think this next chapter of my life is going to be about being the best grandpa I can be.

At heart, I’m still that kid with small town, country roots. I try to stay laid back, work hard, take care of people, and never forget the value of community.