Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. En Español
Herencia. Conexión. Comunidad.
Communities are built on connection - we connect through our heritage, our traditions, our culture, our shared experience. Just like Georgia Power’s grid connects and powers the state, our community is powered by the connections we nurture and value. These connections build our comunidad - our community.
We are what we experience together.
Somos nuestras tradiciones y nuestro futuro. Somos Georgia.
This Hispanic Heritage Month, we are celebrating the traditions and connections that bring us together.
What does Somos Georgia mean to you?
Visit our social media pages to join the conversation and let us know how you celebrate your herencia!
Meet some of our employees as they talk about culture, heritage, and what Somos Georgia means to them.
Rosa Marroquín’s family came to the United States from Guatemala in the 1980s in search of a better opportunity for her and her four siblings. After spending most of her childhood in California, the Marroquin family moved across the country in 1994, this time landing in Georgia – chasing a booming economy being built in the state around the impending Centennial Olympic Games. After a short time managing the office of an accounting firm, Rosa was hired as a bilingual customer service representative in Georgia Power’s Metro West region.
In the more than two decades since, Rosa has spent time in operations, distribution, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), and energy assistance. Today, she serves on the Community Engagement team, working to enrich and empower communities across Georgia through education, advocacy, and leadership development.
Though she hasn’t spent much time in her home country since moving to the States, Rosa stays connected to her Guatemalan roots by assembling and sending massive care packages back to the country with her mother, who returns home yearly. At home, Rosa spends time taking care of her cadre of rescued animals: five dogs and a cat.
Rosa was kind enough to answer some questions about how her Guatemalan heritage helps to keep her connected.
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What does Somos Georgia mean to you?
“To me, Somos Georgia means that we are all part of this great state and what we do or do not do will have an impact in the community. Communities with shared interests, values, thoughts, and attitudes encourage us to live better and to contribute to a better world. This state offers opportunities for all people to work and grow. The words “Somos Georgia” creates a sense of belonging, acceptance, understanding, and inspiration. It means that we are in this together.”
What causes/organizations do you personally support?
“I support organizations that are making a positive impact in the lives of the community. There are great nonprofits serving the Latino/Hispanic community - I serve on Ser Familia’s board of directors. The organization offers preventive family services and equips Latinos with the tools, resources, and skills they need to move from crisis to thriving. Our vision is to see all Latino families flourishing and contributing to the wellbeing of their communities.”
What are some ways you would like to see everyone find to connect?
“A way to connect I think is having courage. Courage to recognize and work on biases – we all have them. Being vulnerable and patient. Let us recognize that it is not always as easy as we think, to be ‘open’, and to ‘embrace’, but we should always strive to understand and most importantly to respect. We may realize that those differences are the same ones that unite us and make us stronger. We have to put in the work and give each other grace.”
The first time Panamanian-born engineer Natasha Reynolds came to live in the United States, she came in 1986 with her family as a child seeking asylum. Having only spoken Spanish so far, the first three months in the US were difficult. But with her mother's support, she was able to quickly overcome the language barrier.
In 1990, Natasha and her family returned to their home country and started all over again. After completing her bachelor's in Industrial Engineering, she married an American and moved back to the US. Since returning, she has earned a master's degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Business Analytics. Today, Natasha serves as an active project committee member of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineer's Standard 100, and serves as a board member of STEM Story Live.
In more than twenty years, she had gained experience in the energy and environmental fields as well as in city and county governments focusing on energy efficiency, sustainability, operations, sales, and marketing. In her current leadership role as a product manager, she provides guidance for the development of strategies of six different product solutions to help meet the needs of Georgia Power's business customers.
Natasha spoke to us about the beauty of the diversity of the Hispanic community and why her Panamanian heritage is so important to her family.
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What would you describe as the most important values you carry from your heritage?
“The most important values are family and community based. Generally speaking, our communities have a collectivistic culture, where building trust, supporting each other, establishing strong relationships and networking is essential.”
What do you love most about being involved in Georgia's Hispanic community?
“The Hispanic community is diverse in so many ways. For example, you may find that there are significant differences between Hispanic cultures, each one is unique. You may also find that people within the Hispanic community may be multicultural and multiracial. Some of us are immigrants and some of us were born in the United States. It is beautiful to see all these aspects of diversity within our community.”
Any words of advice for young Latinx students who are looking for a career?
“Look for educational opportunities for the jobs of the future; STEM degrees are typically in high-demand. Find a career that suits you, define your goal and set short milestones towards it. Be patient, be consistent, be kind to yourself and others, work smart and hard, and never stop learning.”
Jesse Pérez sees the joy in everything. But growing up in the Smyrna area, a first-generation Georgian born to parents from Mexico, he understands that joy does not mean the absence of dedication or sacrifice. Jesse is a U.S. Army veteran, sacrificing to serve his country both as a Fire Team leader for a Light Infantry Weapons Squad for the 25th Infantry Division, and as a sniper for the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Division.
Before entering his current role, he joined Georgia Power as the Bilingual Customer Services Supervisor, leading a team of bilingual service consultants and helping to ensure that every Georgia Power customer is well taken care of, no matter what language they speak.
He was kind enough to answer some questions about how his Hispanic heritage shapes his life and work.