August: Board of Directors, Chairperson Spotlight
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Name:Sam Ramirez
Company: The Naxon Group
Title: CEO
Why do you serve on the Chamber Board of Directors?
As a new business in 2019 there were so many challenges to navigate, and I found a community with the Chamber and it’s members. Connecting with others was so valuable to our growing business and having the opportunity to serve in leadership on the board to help support our members has been incredibly rewarding.
As the Board Chair, what are you goals for the coming year?
I want to continue to see the Chamber take a leadership role in the community and develop programs and opportunities to see our members grow and benefit so that we can all pour back into making Visalia and wonderful place to live and work.
What has the Chamber done in the last 12 months that has helped your business? Leadership Visalia has been a tremendous program that has not only directly benefited a member of my team but our community. I am grateful for those involved who want to see our community grow through this investment.
Please answer at least 3 of the following questions.
What motivates you to work hard? Above all my family and helping create incredible events. We get to celebrate with families and businesses and help raise funds with non-profits all while being able to be a part of the events themselves.
What is your favorite game or sport to watch and play? Or who is your favorite team? I have two boys so we all play lots of wiffle ball, basketball and football in our house. But I love watching my Niners play on TV but sure enjoy going to a Dodger game!
Who would you want to be stranded with on a deserted island? I simply couldn’t choose one. If I had my boys and my partner, Adrian, we’d have an incredible time on that deserted island!
If you could go back in time, what year would you travel to? The turn of the 20th century seems like such a time of incredible innovation and growth. I’d love to be a fly on the wall during that time.
Aside from necessities, what one thing could you not go a day without?
What's your favorite holiday? I’d have to say it’s a close tie between Halloween and Christmas. That may seem odd but it’s just the holiday themselves, the people and weather, they’re just special times of the year.
Who would you want to play you in a movie of your life?
What's your favorite family tradition? Wiffle ball and basketball best of 7 series, dads vs sons. It’s always a good competitive time.
Is your glass half full or half empty? Mostly half full. I find myself always wanting to work for more and learning still in life to take a breath and enjoy that half full glass.
Does your family have a “motto” – spoken or unspoken? My grandfather was an educator for many years and is still with us at 91 years young now. He has always spoken about 4 pillars of life. To paraphrase they are faith, family, love and service. Although I have a tattoo of this myself, I’ve more indirectly made it a motto of our family by trying to both instill and demonstrate these important values.
Who was your favorite teacher in school and why? I was an FFA kid in high school and I credit a great deal of my confidence and ability to connect with people from my time there and had some great Ag teachers along the way.
What was your first job? My very first job was working in a local Mexican restaurant that also did catering. I would work weekends and after school when I was 14/15 and go in on early on the weekends to help prep the signature menudo.
What’s your favorite thing/place to do/visit in Visalia? Without a doubt is downtown. I love going out to eat or grab a drink in downtown and visit the incredible businesses there. We have some great shops to pop into and enjoying a nice spring or fall evening walking downtown and exploring is definitely one of my favorites.
