Meet a Roadrunner: Steven Gonzales '13 is working on leading-edge cloud computing services with engineers from around the world
(Dec. 2, 2015) -- Meet Steven Gonzales ’13. This UTSA alumnus is quickly becoming a leader in the cloud computing industry.
Leading a team of software engineers for EMC Corporation, one of the large and most respected enterprise data storage companies in the world, is no small task. But that hasn't stopped this UTSA College of Business grad from advancing through the ranks of his company.
Gonzales, 35, understands how the cloud-based technology and software EMC develops is creating lasting value for the world. The company builds data storage and virtual infrastructures for people and businesses around the world.
Drawing upon his technical and business expertise, and his time as an information systems major, Gonzales leads a team of seven talented software engineers. His team is dedicated to delivering a more durable platform for EMC's cloud computing services.
“I’ve recently transitioned from writing mostly code to leading this team of brilliant engineers,” Gonzales said. “EMC hires only the most experienced talent, so my entire team works remotely from across the country and world. I do a lot of strategic planning – looking ahead to what we should be doing next.”
It was this same passion that led Gonzales to the job in the first place. Plucked from Rackspace here in San Antonio by EMC, every day he utilizes the knowledge he gained from his background in software engineering, business and DevOPS infrastructure in his new role — exploring a digital frontier that’s still being discovered.
Gonzales said that his time at UTSA prepared him for a lot of the challenges he faces leading a team. In fact, he remembers one business class in particular that provided him with a lesson that he has taken to heart in all that he does.
“My favorite business class was my capstone Management Strategy Capstone course,” Gonzales said. “I remember a case study in which we discussed Southwest Airlines. Other companies were copying Southwest Airlines’ practices, but they couldn’t get the same results. Through this case study, I got the sense that the context behind those ideas and practices — the values and culture behind the company, and not the practices by themselves — is what made Southwest successful and unable to be replicated so easily."
Gonzales wants to instills in his team a sense of engaged and passionate collaboration.
“I’m competitive, decisive and energetic,” Gonzales said. “I want my team to be as engaged and passionate as possible. After all, we are working with leading-edge technologies at the largest scale possible. We are building cool technologies.”
Gonzales considers himself a Roadrunner for life. One of his big hobbies, besides coding and spending time with his wife, Lucy, and daughter, Isabella, is tailgating at UTSA football games with his friends and family.
“I have a legacy of being a Roadrunner of which I’m proud,” Gonzales said. “My whole family has gone to UTSA. It gave me a great foundation to start from.”
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