HOLT CAT posted on February 23, 2022 14:35
“Careers on Wheels” at Gilbert Elementary School is a special event where young students are taught the value of education and learn about other career opportunities available to them. For Cesar Lopez, these festivities hit close to home.
A HOLT CAT Maintenance Supervisor, Lopez attended Gilbert Elementary growing up. His mom is a first grade teacher at the school and when she asked about the possibility of showcasing HOLT CAT at the event, Lopez jumped at the opportunity. He was able to get a skid steer and maintenance truck on campus to offer students a first-hand experience with the equipment. It was a full circle moment for the San Antonio native.
“As someone who went to school there and has been in their shoes, I want to share my story and hopefully motivate some of these kids,” Lopez said. “Having our equipment at the event and allowing students in our community learn about HOLT is really special to me.”
Lopez understands the value of education, while attending college at Texas A&M University in San Antonio, he was the beneficiary of a scholarship from HOLT. As a reward for his hard work, he was invited to attend a luncheon with the company where he learned about the many internship opportunities available.
The rest was history. What was supposed to be a three-month Enterprise Operations internship, turned into a full time-job as a Warranty Specialist. It’s been an upward trajectory ever since for Lopez.
“Getting that scholarship from HOLT really opened the door for me,” he said. “They truly believed in me. I put in the hard work and do what’s asked of me, that’s why I am in the position that I am now.”
Today, Lopez is celebrating almost five years at HOLT CAT and he supervises a team of technicians who maintain Cat machines in the field. From travel to handling late night service repair calls, it’s a job with a variety of tasks and responsibilities, but he has handled everything thrown his way.
In addition to his full-time role, Lopez is also a new father with a 6-month-old child at home, and he’s set to earn his Master’s Degree in Business Administration next summer from Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
“HOLT gave me the opportunity right out of college. I wanted to prove hiring me was the right decision,” Lopez said. “I’ve tried to go above and beyond in everything I do. When I share my story of being a supervisor after starting as an intern, it’s proof that it’s possible. I’m proof that as long as you put in the work, you’ll get there.”