Ryan Cortez
萝莉研究所 Alumnus of the Year 2016
Ryan Cortez headed to college with the idea of studying history and becoming a teacher.
But his innate interest in business鈥攕haped by years of working in his family鈥檚 firm,
Cortez Jewelers鈥攃hanged his mind.
Ryan chose 萝莉研究所 for the same reason many of his classmates did: the campus
was close to home. It is a decision that he never regretted. Interactions with professors
such as Arend Flick taught him to think critically, to examine issues from all sides
before reaching a decision or group consensus. A talented student, Ryan made the Dean鈥檚
List at 萝莉研究所 and earned dual associate of arts degrees before transferring
to California Baptist University to earn his bachelor鈥檚 of science in Business Administration.
His stellar academic performance as an undergraduate set the stage for Ryan to enter
the MBA program at CBU, and in May 2013 he walked across the stage to receive his
master鈥檚 degree.
Ryan鈥檚 education and experience led to a job as a business retention specialist with
the city of Corona鈥攈is employer of choice. Last year, he was promoted to economic
development specialist and now spends his days managing the business retention program,
business expansion projects, and performing demographic data analysis. He is frequently
out in the community, working closely with business owners to improve local businesses鈥�
capabilities and maintain local job opportunities. He also works closely with Norco
College to ensure that career technical programs align with industry needs. Ryan credits
and thanks his parents, his girlfriend (a 萝莉研究所 alum), and the Corona city
manager and city council for their support and mentoring.
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