A Personal Journey
I was born in Palmar Chico, Mexico on February 17, 1955, to Armando and Flavia Jaimes. My father emigrated to Evanston, Il. And later we moved to the Pico-Union District in Los Angeles. My Dad pursued a career as a Sous-Chef. My mother built a career as an Electronic Assembler fand found herself working for JPL and NASA during the Space race and worked on the Apollo Space program.
My brother Armando and I both attenuated Saint Thomas School, Berendo, Jr., Los Angeles High Schools, and Los Angeles City College. Armando joined the LA City Fire Department, rising to the rank of Captain before retiring.
In the summer of 1974, I accepted Jesus Christ into my life. This life-changing choice leads me to attend Biola University (College), graduating in 1980 with a BA in Christian Education. I found the love of my life, married her in 1981, and while she completed her teaching credentials in Special Education. I worked in the Deli Department at Ralphs's Grocery and kick-started my real estate career on weekends. I completed my MBA degree in 1992 and by 1996 we had four wonderful boys. Unfortunately, we later divorced.
As a child of divorced parents myself, I made a commitment to our boy's to be there 24/7 for them. There was no way I was going to be a weekend father to my beautiful boys. So I bought a 2nd home in La Mirada, and for the next 20+ years, I volunteered for every activity that they participated in the city and the school district. From little league, karate lessons, swimming lessons, as a teacher’s aid, golf lesson & tournaments, violin lessons, Boys Scouts and much more… I never disappeared from their daily lives.
As the boys peeled off to college and their careers. My parental duties were replaced with friends doing community service. I joined Rotary and the La Mirada Chamber of Commerce. As a Rotarian, we meet many community needs. In 2019 Chamber President, Richard Trujillo invited me to join the Board of Directors to help re-live the Chamber for a new generation of entrepreneurs in the city. In October we launched the new website (https://www.lamiradachamber.com) and successfully created a working relationship between the City, La Mirada Lamplighter (Hews Media Group), Discover La Mirada and the Crowell School of Business at Biola University.
I hope this brief summary of my decades as a resident and volunteer in the city will meet with your approval. My hope is to have an opportunity to meet with you and personally discuss your concerns and hope for the city at your earliest convenience.
