My Luby’s story started in 1984, when I was 16 years old. My father was already working for Luby’s when I left my hometown in Mexico and came to the United States. When I applied for a job, the managers weren’t sure I was actually 16. I was so skinny they thought I looked about 13. It took a few weeks, but eventually they gave me an opportunity.

I started at the entry level and spent the next several years learning every department in the restaurant. That led to becoming a kitchen supervisor, and eventually one of my managers asked if I had ever thought about management. I was scared of the responsibility.My wife was the one who encouraged me to do it. That decision changed our lives.

I spent years learning the business as an Assistant Manager before moving to different Luby’s locations around Houston. Eventually, I was given my first opportunity as a General Manager. After proving myself there, I was selected to open a brand-new restaurant in 2007. It was a big challenge, but we built a great team and I stayed there for 10 years.

Over the course of my career, Luby’s has become part of my family’s story, too. My daughter worked for Luby’s for five years, one of my grandchildren worked here for a couple of years, and my wife knows so much about the business that I can talk to her about food costs, labor and operations like I’m talking to another coworker.

We really are a Luby’s family. Today, I’m an Operating Partner in addition to leading my restaurant, and that has given me an opportunity I really enjoy: teaching. After more than 40 years, I have a lot of experience to share. I love visiting restaurants, coaching managers and helping people become better leaders. My hope is to eventually do that full time. That starts with my own team. We have a lot of high school students working with us, and I want this to be a place where they feel supported. We work around school and sports schedules, but we also have fun. We’ve had races, karaoke, Halloween parties and plenty of laughter.

I don’t want people to feel like they’re just coming to work. I want them to feel like they’re part of a family. Someone gave a skinny 16-year-old kid an opportunity all those years ago. Now, one of the best parts of my job is being able to give that opportunity to someone else.