Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Meet Omar Guevara
Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place September 15 – October 15, is a time to recognize and celebrate the myriad histories, cultures, and contributions of the Hispanic and Latin community. At the helm of the festivities is the ¡HOLA! (Hispanic Organization for Leadership and Awareness) Hispanic business resource group. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, members of ¡HOLA! are sharing about their work, passions, and family traditions.
Below, meet Omar Guevara, Sr Director – Substation Projects.
What does your day-to-day at work look like?
I’m part of the Projects group at Avangrid Networks, reporting to the 3CC office in Rochester, NY. I lead a cross-company team, which means I get to travel frequently to all the different offices within Avangrid Networks. My job is incredibly rewarding because I get to experience various local cultures—from East to West NY, and from Connecticut to Maine in New England. This has given me the chance to gain new perspectives, fresh ideas, and grow both professionally and personally.
How long have you been in your role and what is your favorite part of it?
I’ve been with Avangrid for more than 12 years, and I’ve spent the last year as a Senior Director. Leading the Substation Projects Group has allowed me to contribute to our communities in the Northeast by rebuilding, upgrading, modernizing, and constructing new electrical substations that serve schools, hospitals, and businesses of all sizes.
Tell us about you outside of work. What do you like do for fun?
Outside of work, I’m part of a volleyball team in a local league in Rochester. It’s a team made up of Avangrid employees, and playing with them is a lot of fun. We’re gradually becoming more competitive, which is exciting. Also, not many people know this, but my friends and family say I’m a good cook, and that makes me proud.
What’s a project you’re working on either personally or professionally that you’re most excited about?
I’ve been in my current position for a year, and during this time, it has been necessary to strengthen the team due to the increasing number of projects we need to execute. It’s been a challenging journey, especially because the market is very competitive. However, we’ve managed to build a talented team with great ideas and committed professionals.
Can you share with us your favorite family tradition or holiday, or recipe?
I’m originally from Mexico, and one of my favorite traditions is “El Día de los Muertos” or the Day of the Dead, which is celebrated on November 1-2. It’s a tradition full of mysticism that helps us remember those who are no longer with us. It’s typical to set up an “ofrenda,” a colorful arrangement with pictures of our forebears and the food they used to enjoy.
