Brian Aragon, age 40, expediter for Physical Plant
Where do you work?
Physical Plant Area 4. The Physical Plant is the maintenance and construction for the University buildings. I am an expediter. I get all the material - for plumbers, electricians, carpenters, painters - all the material they need to keep these buildings running.
Where else have you worked?
I have a degree in marketing. My previous life, I was a logistics and warehouse manager. First in a company in California, and then at National Warehouse, manager for Advantage Printing Solutions, which used to be here.
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Where did you get your degree?
New Mexico State - Aggies. I am an Aggie man. It's very hard being an Aggie over here.
How do you deal with that?
I tell it like it is. Aggies kick you know what, not so much this year. I bleed crimson and white.
Do you have a family?
Yes, one 7-year-old son.
What would you tell students who are interested in your career path?
Logistics is a function of marketing. If you're looking at a degree, marketing is a good way to go. Management, as well, is a good option. Anderson (Schools of Management) is a good school.
Do you like your job?
I love it. I have been here about four years, and I plan on making it a career, and I plan on retiring from UNM. We have about 20 techs in our shop. We do anything from the large equipment stuff, like today I rented out a large lift. We are going to change out all the lamps at the Bookstore and Popejoy Hall. Getting rid of graffiti. We have graffiti removers.
Have you lived in New Mexico your whole life?
I went from New Mexico State to Denver for a year and a half, and then I went to California for about 10 years, and then I moved back to Albuquerque about five years ago.
Why did you move back?
Cost of living, plain and simple. Back then, I was married and had a kid. You can't even get a shack for half a million dollars in southern California. I loved it. It's the greatest place on earth, and it's the
entertainment capital of the world. I lived right by Newport Beach.
What other interests do you have?
Drinking beer. It really is my favorite hobby. Coaches and Hooters - it's all about the ladies. I am single now, remember. I still have some hair. I can still pull young chicks. Beer and sports - they go together.
What is it like working for a University instead of corporations?
Being in private industry, you typically make a lot more money. However, there are some cool benefits, like being surrounded by lovely young ladies. If I chose to continue my education, I could probably do so for free. Also, we have a lot of days off. Like I said, I do plan on retiring from here. I am also looking forward to my son one day - if he doesn't want to go to (New Mexico) State and wants to go to UNM - I could hook him up with a free education. Definitely less stress, a lot of job security. In the private industry, if the market starts going downhill, they start laying people off. I have been laid off before, and it's no fun. It would take an amazing lack of funding for us to start losing jobs here. You don't have that pressure.
- Joshua Curtis
