Ron’s greatest love outside of his family is business. “I went to law school, but soon discovered that business was my first love and the best challenge I could ever hope for.” After 35 years in business, he has this to say: “Business has been my life. I love business. I’m a people person and I love the interacting and the building of relationships.” He started his career in the “plastics” business. “In 1986 I left Plastic Suppliers, where I was a partner, although I still own one in Albuquerque, and I went to work for Governor Romer for three and a half years as the Director of Economic Business. In 1990, I decided I really missed the business world and wanted to go back into it. I started Plasticomm in May of 1990 and focused on the telecommunications industry. I began by selling product to the industry and then was asked to expand into manufacturing of the products. Now, the company is very diversified.”
Ron continues to maintain a heavy workload and an amazing schedule. He’s not a young pup anymore and when I asked him about his future, he replied, “Eventually I’d like to spend more time with my family, rest a little bit and enjoy my freetime.”
Free time? His community involvement takes up a great amount of his time. He’s Chairman of the Board for three non-profits; Centro San Juan Diego, St. Joseph Hospital Foundation, and the Mexican Cultural Center. Ron serves as President of the Board for the HITT (Hispanics in Information Technology & Telecommunications Council), Vice Chairman of Metro State College Foundation and is a board member for Colorado Forum, Denver Convention Center Hotel Authority, National Jewish Hospital, US Bank and Valor Telecom in Dallas. He also is a committee member for El Pomar, Mayor’s Leadership Team on Early Childhood Education, Nuggets-Kroenke Sports Advisory Council, RMN Latino Community Advisory Council and the Rocky Mountain News Latino Community Advisory Committee.
What’s important in your life? Family
Which social event is your favorite?Saturday Nite Alive
Favorite restaurant? Tosh’s Hacienda on 32nd & Downing. I was there in 1947 when they opened.
Who is the most interesting celebrity you have ever met? Art Linkletter. I had the opportunity to bring him in as a speaker for the Hispanic Chamber. He was a gentleman’s gentleman, the most positive person I’ve ever known.
If your life were a movie, whom would you want to play your part? Anybody tall!
Do you have any pets?. Not now. I had two dogs for over 20 years. I’m thinking real hard about getting a puppy for my granddaughter.
When you move, what will your home tell its next owner about you?What is this guy still doing working at this age – sunup to sundown.
What word describes you best? Happy
How would you like others to describe you? Honest, ethical and happy
What was your first job? Working at a restaurant creamery at 11-years-old. I’ve been in love with work since then.
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? I’m a very weak person when it comes to overeating
What trait do you most deplore in others? Dishonesty; people that aren’t “real” and people that live their life as a masquerade
What is your greatest indulgence? Golf. I like it because I’m around my buddies.
What type of clothes do you like? Simple, business clothing. I’m not a flashy dresser. I wear a tie everyday. It’s just a habit; very rarely do I wear an open collar shirt.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning? Look over and make sure my wife is still there
What’s the last thing you do before bed? Brush my teeth, take my pills and say goodnight to my wife
Favorite comfort food? Pork chops. I love them.
Tell me something about yourself that people would be surprised to know about you. I’m pretty shy. I force myself to be gregarious.
What is the best gift you have ever given? An engagement ring to my wife, Naomi
What is the best gift you’ve received? My sons
What or who is the greatest love in your life? My wife
What is your current state of mind? Busy and happy
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Being respected in business
What is your most treasured possession?My Cadillac Escalade
What is the quality you most like in a man? Friendly and ethical
What is the quality you most like in a woman? Honest and happy
Favorite books/writers?I read a lot of Grisham
What is the best advice you have ever received? My mentor told me, “Always deal with people in a way that they’ll always come back to you.”
Do you have a motto? Work hard, do things right and treat people well
What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you? My granddaughter’s responses are the funniest. One day while trying to entice my three- year- old granddaughter to pick up her toys, she responded “No.” I chidingly asked her if she would like me to take off my belt. Her response, “Ampa, your pants fall down!”
If you could come back in another lifetime, what/who would you like to be? And why?Me, because I’ve had a wonderful life
What are your hobbies? Other interests? Golf, movies and fishing
Who is your mentor? It was Matt Brunner. I worked for him a long time. He helped me out so often when I was just starting out. He was a real mentor.
What would you most like to be remembered for? Building a successful family and leaving them a legacy
If you could go anywhere and do anything, what would it be? I’d take my wife to Brazil, Hong Kong and Europe
What do you like about the town you live in? Everything! It’s the greatest place to be.
