Tribute To Al Vasquez

In our lifetime, we will come in contact and even build strong relationships with many successful people. They are found in all walks of life, business, industry and politics. Many times we think of successful people as the ambitious, motivated and driven types that are relentless in the pursuit for personal stardom. These characteristics, although admirable to many, are worthless if your values are compromised in the process. When I think of successful people that operated outside the norm according to societal standards, I think of Al Vasquez, who in my opinion should be the standard of success. Al reached the highest level of success not only as a professional, but as a human being.
Al Vasquez was an individual  who defined success differently. Al was soft spoken, but his words spoke volumes. His words were honest, thoughtful and direct. He always carried himself with genuine confidence and a calm demeanor. He achieved tremendous success, having worked under Presidents Richard Nixon and George H. W. Bush and later establishing a successful newspaper in the Coachella Valley alongside his wife, Ana Rascon. He was the voice and thoughts of many in the community. He had the courage to say the things that many of us were thinking but were unable to express and he did so without ever compromising his values and integrity. Although Al reached a high level of success in his professional and personal life, he was never above his fellow man. He was always available to offer a word of wisdom and give sensible advise to those of us trying to make our way.
I was highly fortunate to have met Al and Ana years ago. I was new to a job that could be divisive and at times frustrating. I knew that in order to grow and mature soundly, I needed to find a mentor, someone wise, with experience, knowledge, and good judgment. I found such a person in Al. I assume that he also sensed my need for direction since he came to my rescue even before I had the courage to ask. I knew that I could bring all of my concerns to him and he would always keenly listen before offering a response. There was nothing that Al had not seen or experienced or anything that scared him or caught him off guard. He always had a solution to a problem. There was nothing too big or too small. He always remained calm, cool and collected even in the midst of adversity.
Al was a man of integrity in and out of the public eye. Although his roar may have been mild in comparison to the usual roar of lions in the field, his bite was greater and more impactful than most. I truly admired him, not only as a professional, but a human being. His wise and sensible nature will be missed. The Coachella Valley has suffered a great loss, but heaven has gained a star.
I was lucky to call him friend.

En el transcurso de nuestras vidas, crearemos relaciones sólidas con muchas personas exitosas. Que las encontraremos en todos los ámbitos de la vida, los negocios, la industria y la política. Muchas veces pensamos en las personas exitosas como los tipos ambiciosos, motivados e impulsados ​​que son implacables en la búsqueda del estrellato personal. Estas características, aunque admirables para muchos, son inútiles si sus valores se ven comprometidos en el proceso. Cuando pienso en personas exitosas que trabajaron fuera de las normas de acuerdo con los estándares sociales, viene a mi mente Al Vasquez, quien en mi opinión debería ser el estándar de éxito. Al alcanzó el más alto nivel de éxito no solo como profesional, sino como ser humano.
Al Vasquez fue un individuo que definió el éxito de manera diferente. Al era de voz suave, pero sus palabras tenían un gran sentido. Sus palabras fueron honestas, reflexivas y directas. Él siempre inspiraba una gran confianza y una actitud tranquila. Logró grandes éxitos a través de su vida, trabajó bajo los presidentes Richard Nixon y George H. W. Bush y más tarde estableció un exitoso periódico en El Valle de Coachella junto con su esposa, Ana Rascon. Él era la voz y los pensamientos de muchos en la comunidad. Tuvo el coraje de decir las cosas que muchos de nosotros estábamos pensando pero que no nos atrevemos a expresar y lo hizo sin comprometer nunca sus valores e integridad. Aunque Al alcanzó un alto nivel de éxito en su vida profesional y personal, nunca estuvo por encima de su prójimo. Siempre estuvo disponible para ofrecer palabras de sabiduría y dar consejos sensatos a aquellos de nosotros que tratamos de hacer nuestro camino.
Tuve la gran oportunidad de conocer a Al y Ana hace años. Tenia un trabajo que podía ser divisivo y, a veces, frustrante. Sabía que para crecer y madurar bien, necesitaba encontrar un mentor, alguien sabio, con experiencia, conocimiento y buen juicio. Encontré una persona así en Al. Observo mi necesidad de dirección incluso antes de que me atreviera a preguntarle. Sabía que podía hacerle llegar todas mis preocupaciones y siempre escucharía con atención antes de ofrecer una respuesta. Con sus grandes experiencias de la vida pocas situaciones lo molestaban o lo tomaba por sorpresa. Él siempre tenia la solución al problema. Siempre se mantuvo tranquilo, y relajado incluso en medio de las controversias.
Al era un hombre integro dentro y fuera del ojo público. Realmente era admirable, no solo como profesional, sino como ser humano. Su naturaleza sabia y sensata será extrañada. Una gran pérdida para el Valle de Coachella, pero el cielo ha ganado una Estrella.
Tuve la suerte de llamarlo mi Amigo.