Queen of Peace in Mesa Class of 1984
Seton Catholic High School (now Seton Catholic Preparatory) Class of 1988
Background:
“I was born in Mesa, AZ and am a second generation Mexican/American. I attended grade school at Queen of Peace in Mesa, AZ and Graduated high school in 1988 from Seton Catholic in Chandler. After High School I attended Arizona State University and graduated with a B.S. in Biology in 1995. I went back to school and earned my MBA in 2001. I have been married for 24 years to Anna Ortiz, also an Arizona Native and we have 2 awesome Boys, Gabe Jr. (18) and Matteo (17) who also attend Catholic School. My Oldest son Gabe Jr. graduated from St. John Bosco and is currently a senior at Seton Catholic. My youngest son Matteo also attended St. John Bosco and transferred to St. Mary Basha where he graduated grade school. Matteo also currently attends Seton Catholic and is a junior.”
“I have been in Medical Device sales for over 20 years. I am currently Vice President of Sales for Artoss Inc., a medical device company based out of St. Paul Minnesota.”
What impact did Catholic schools have on you?
“I believe Catholic Schools instilled discipline, service to others, work ethic, commitment and leadership. I am so grateful for the sacrifices my parents made so I could attend Catholic School. Some of my closest friends to this day I made while attending Queen of Peace and Seton. Being in a faith filled environment every day with a group of like-minded individuals was amazing. Seton had a very family like atmosphere, some of my closest, dearest lifelong friends I made at Seton. I had the opportunity to not only get a phenomenal college prep education, but I was able to participate in a variety of activities such as Football, Basketball and Drama. The discipline in school was stern but fair, I believe growing up in the Catholic School system helped shape the man I am today. I am still involved with Seton as the Board of Trustees President. My goal is to help lead the high-level strategic plan and help Seton continue to grow so our future generations can also benefit from a Catholic School education.”
Accomplishments:
“After graduating from Seton, I attended Arizona State University where I earned my Degree in Biology/Pre-Med. My goal was to enter the health care field in some capacity. During my time at ASU I applied and was accepted to a Medical internship at The University of California San Francisco. It was hear I got exposed to the Pharmaceutical/Medical Device sales business. I got into Pharmaceutical sales right out of college and later transitioned into Medical Device Sales. Over the past 20 years I have worked for multiple companies such as Bristol Myers Squibb, Glaxo and Medtronic. My first company paid for my MBA and promoted me into sales leadership. I continued to climb the corporate ladder and currently I am Vice president of Sales for a Medical Device company out of Minnesota.”
“My biggest accomplishment is my 24-year marriage to my soulmate/wife Anna and my 2 children, Gabriel Jr. and Matteo. My family is by far my proudest accomplishment.”
Future plans:
“My future plans are to continue to grow my business and be the best servant leader I can be! I would also like to take my family to Europe when my sons graduate high school. I would also like to continue in my volunteer role as President of the Board of Trustees at Seton to help us realize our master strategic plan to not only grow the campus but maintain the “family atmosphere” which makes Seton so unique, as we grow into the future.”
“I cannot begin to repay all that I have learned, and the experiences gained from my Catholic Education that have given me so much and shaped the Man I am today. I hope to continue to help in any way I can to ensure students can experience a Catholic education like I was able to experience.”
