From the GOOD Club Newsletter January 2010: WELCOME ABOARD MARIO

At the November 16, 2009, Executive Board Meeting, Mario Quintana, age 29, was invited to join the board as member-at-large. At the subsequent Executive Board meeting, December 14th, he was appointed the GOOD Club’s new Communications chair. “2010 is upon us and we must do all that we can to make a positive impact here in the city of Oxnard,” says Quintana.  “I am very excited and inspired to be a part of this organization.”
Mario’s commitment to his hometown was born of the challenges that he faced growing up in the projects of La Colonia. He recalls, how life in the projects was difficult and dangerous. The presence of gangs posed a threat to youngsters like Mario.  He saw their influence win over countless lives once filled with potential and possibility. With his mother’s encouragement, Mario focused his free time and energy on sports.  As a young boy, he played little league baseball, flag football, and basketball.  He concentrated on baseball in high school and college.  Today his passion is coaching little league baseball and flag football.  “I love to volunteer in my old neighborhood of Colonia,” he said.
Mario credits his mother for the positive choices he made. “I made it out of that neighborhood because of the values that my mother instilled in me,” he reflects.  Gloria Rivas Quintana, Mario’s mother, suffered kidney failure when Mario was just a toddler.  She spent the next twenty-five years going through endless hospital visits and medical procedures until—sadly— she passed away two years ago.
Mario graduated from Oxnard High School in 1998.  He went on to earn an A.A. degree in criminal justice from Ventura College and a B.A. degree in political science from CSU Northridge and is employed by AT&T.
The GOOD Club welcomes this dynamic young leader to our ranks.
Dori Maria Jones