#rogerramones

Hometown:  San Diego 

Reason for Moving to Portland:  I fell in love with the Northwest during a visit with my really good (arguably best) friend-Lee.   At the time, my wife-Jayme-and I were looking for a city to start a family.  From the accounts of my trip, I was able to convince her to consider the NW.  Within a year, we moved to Portland, bought a place, got a dog, and got pregnant with our daughter: Zoey. 

Most Important Person in Your Life:  My wife--because she's amazing, puts up with me, and gave me the other most important person in my life-Zoey    Most Important to You in Life:  -Relationships  -Making a difference in people's lives

3 Words that Describe You:  -Friendly  -From Sarah: Intense  -From Francois:  Efficiently boundless determined creativity 

Your Inspiration:  An inspiration that has recently been driving me is my dad.  During his funeral, hundreds of people came up to me to say a few kind words.  Initially, I didn't really welcome the kind gesture.  Considering the situation, I viewed the interaction as formality.  However, as I listened to the stories about how my dad impacted their lives-helping and pushing them to go through school, getting them their first job, getting them their second job, saving their life (he's a surgeon), helping them financially, making them laugh, getting them through a tough time-I began to realize the impact my father had on a lot of people.  His funeral was in Quezon City, Philippines and droves of people came from all over the world to pay their respect.  One after another, a different story and another difference my dad made.  I look at my own life so far and I'm a little embarrassed how self-centered I've led it.  But now, thanks to my dad, I'm inspired.  I keep these stories close to my heart and use them as a compass on how to lead a more meaningful life. 

Your Personal Philosophy:  -"You decide on your own level of involvement"  -"You have the ability to have a positive impact on everyone you meet"