I’m John Paez, a Senior Director of Engineering with a passion for continuous growth and innovation in the tech world. My story began in Nogales, Arizona, where I learned the importance of resilience and independence early on. One of the most defining moments in my life was when my mom was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy and required a heart transplant in 1998 while I was in middle school. Miraculously, my mom pulled through, and today she’s living happily back in Nogales. That experience taught me a lot about strength and how to handle life’s challenges head-on both from my personal experience but also through the lens of my mom’s experience.
Professionally, I’ve had the chance to lead teams and build solutions that drive innovation and align with big-picture goals. I architected and helped develop a suite of applications that play a key role in how our company analyzes market research data for the entertainment industry. These real-world application and their usage are a great artifact to demonstrate my love for tackling new challenges and delivering results that make a real impact.
At the core of my work is a commitment to continuous learning and improvement. I’m always looking for ways to refine processes and embrace new ideas, whether it’s in my professional life or personal life. I believe there’s always room to grow, and I’m dedicated to making the most of every opportunity to do so.
Outside of work, I’m passionate about music, particularly the trumpet, which I played throughout my youth. Though I had to put it aside in college to focus on my career, I still enjoy attending jazz and orchestral performances. I’m also a big fan of film, television, and audiobooks, especially non-fiction (biographies, history, and self-improvement/learning). Travel is another love of mine; whether it’s frequent visits to places like Las Vegas, San Francisco, and New York City, or exploring new destinations like Spain, Italy, and France—which I recently visited with my husband—I find that travel adds richness and perspective to life.
Looking ahead, the next big chapter for George and me is focused on starting a family through adoption. This is a major priority for us right now. While I’m still committed to advancing my career and have my sights set on becoming a CTO, my main focus at the moment is on building a loving home and embracing the journey of parenthood.
Thanks for taking the time to learn a bit about me. I’m excited about what the future holds and look forward to sharing more of my journey with you