I don’t believe in success as mere recognition, but rather as the ability to generate a positive, lasting, and tangible impact through one’s contributions. That defines me quite well.
Improving the world around me through the discipline I’m most passionate about, engineering, has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Whether it’s labeled as success or not doesn’t concern me; what matters is that it guides the decisions that lead me to pursue or shift direction along my path.
I’ve always enjoyed exploring anything that caught my attention (life is short, and we never know when it ends). Over time, I’ve narrowed my focus in exchange for deeper specialization, but I still jump into diverse projects whenever I get the chance.
Professional Journey
- I began my stable career in the private sector, working as a systems engineer at Sadiel (now Ayesa), contributing to major public administration projects.
- Later, I joined the University of Extremadura as a researcher, focusing on R&D in Telematics Engineering and gaining valuable teaching experience.
- I then transitioned to the public sector, joining CENATIC to design and manage a Project Management Office (PMO).
- When CENATIC merged into Red.es, I continued leading the PMO within a much larger public entity, eventually coordinating an IT management area and overseeing various projects and services.
- Today, I work at Red.es as Cybersecurity manager, applying a holistic vision and collaborating with national and international organizations.
Parallel Endeavors
To avoid stagnation in the slow-paced public sector, I obtained authorization from the Spanish Ministry of Finance to take on additional projects. I also participate as a researcher in the GITACA group at the University of Extremadura.
Over the years, I’ve:
- Founded the Official Association of Computer Engineers of Extremadura
- Launched the PMI Madrid Chapter Branch for Extremadura and Castilla-La Mancha
- Served as an R&D project evaluator
- Published articles and books
- Worked as a judicial IT expert
- Participated in conferences, volunteer work, and international collaborations (e.g., CCN-CERT, ICANN, EU TLD ISAC, IETF, PMI, ISOC, Join Up!)
Looking Ahead
I still have goals to persecute, like founding a company beyond freelance work. I’ve come close a couple of times, even buying infrastructure, but plans fell through. It’s something I intend to revisit.
Having already written a book, planted a tree, and had a daughter, I feel reasonably fulfilled and excited for what’s next.