Skills that Ruben Brings to the Board

As a lawyer in the Juvenile Justice system, Ruben is tasked with taking care of children when parenting fails. He has represented infant children who were removed from their teen-aged parents.  He has seen what happens when children grow up in a gang household and do not get the help they need to escape the lifestyle.   Through his mentorship program, Ruben has seen that with firm direction, support, and clear expectations, children can get out of gangs and become productive members of society.  Ruben realizes that, while the family is the primary social institution, the family unit sometimes needs help.  We need to have strong schools, both to educate and protect the weakest among us.

For the last ten years, Ruben has developed strong ties with local law enforcement, social workers, and community non-profits.  He knows how to work with people to act in the best interest of the child.

As a business owner, Ruben knows how to run an office efficiently in tough economic times.  He knows that a fairly-compensated and respected employee is a loyal and hard-working employee.  He knows how to cut costs effectively, to minimize the impact on the client.

As a Board Member of a large community non-profit agency, Ruben knows how to develop community partners to raise vital funds from both the public and private sectors.

• As a life-long Modestan, the product of the Modesto City Schools system, and the uncle of a future Modesto High Panther, Ruben loves our schools, and will do everything he can to help them succeed.