R. Matias Rico

Gained an interest in politics and community organizing during college years at SDSU. Afterwards, I taught at State for 2 years in the Chicano Studies dept., then went off a joined IBM in 1977. Received a M.A. in PolySci from SJSU in 1980 and also moved to Chicago for IBM where I worked downtown til 2003. Then I moved my family back to California since I began working out of the home office. With email/vmail and airports, it doesn't matter where I live since the IBM clients are all over... In Chicago, I was active with local issues and worked on many political campaigns during my years there and at one time served on the Mayor's Advisory Council for Latino Affairs. Also, I was president of a local little league and coached my boys to many championships in baseball, football and basketball. Now that I am back in the SD area, still care about political issues (immigrant rights, etc.) but I can also boogie board, snorkel and play golf-things that I didn't do in Chicago. My lovely wife Dora is a banker, but really an artist at heart. Together, we raised a blended family with my two older ones and her 3 younger ones...Currently, I plan on working a couple more years now that my 401(k) has been reduced to a 201(k). Next? Retire to the beach house in OB, live the beach life and watch over our grand kids as they grow up (3 for now, expect many more amongst the 5 daughters/sons we have). Update: Have you seen the movie 'While You Were Sleeping' starring Sandra Bullock? Well I was an extra in the New Year's Eve party scene. That scene was filmed in our house in Chicago...my wife is also in it, but she is blocked out by someone's big head...check it out and see me in the movies...

Biggest high school memory came in the summer of '65 when our All-Star baseball team almost had to cancel a trip to the L.A. area due to the Watts riots. It made me sad to think we'd not get to play, but it also opened my eyes to the reality of 'race' relations in the US, Viet Nam, etc. I ignored all that and had a great time in high school doing my studies, sports, and stepping out; lucky to have stayed out of jail. Got serious while in college...