National Hispanic Heritage Month
Beyond Our Work | Adrian Trevino
Adrian Trevino is the Building and Maintenance Supervisor at the Palmer Events Center (PEC), where he leads a team responsible for ensuring that the mechanical systems—such as HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and lighting—meet the needs of clients and event operators. With more than six years of experience at the Austin Convention Center Department (ACCD), Adrian has been in his current supervisory role for more than a year, overseeing six employees.
Adrian joined ACCD in 2018 as an Event Maintenance III staff member at the Austin Convention Center, where he was responsible for managing the power needs for pre-event plans and diagrams. His dedication and expertise earned him a promotion to supervisor at the Palmer Events Center.
“I’m always pushing myself to grow and demonstrate my capabilities,” said Trevino. “I want our clients at PEC to have highly successful events, and we achieve that by making sure the Palmer Events Center operates smoothly from a mechanical standpoint and by maintaining the building’s upkeep.”
Before his time with ACCD, Adrian spent more than 20 years in the construction industry, working within his brother’s business as a crew member, team leader, and project manager on subcontracting projects. He always sought new opportunities to expand his knowledge and skills.
Adrian was born in Odessa, Texas, and spent his early childhood in Mexico before moving to Edinburg, in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley, where he grew up. The youngest of four siblings, he followed in the footsteps of his two sisters and brother by relocating to the Austin area after high school. He credits his aunt, who was like a second mother to him, for playing a significant role in his upbringing.
Now residing in Buda, Adrian, a fluent Spanish speaker, is the proud father of a 16-year-old son. He laughingly said that English is his second language, and is proud of his upbringing, culture, and heritage.
A University of Texas Longhorn and Houston Texan fan, Adrian states that deep-sea fishing is a growing hobby along with traveling.
“I believe that my passion has just started,” said Trevino. “I am starting to enjoy traveling now. I haven’t had the opportunity to do much before, but being part of a great department, I’m able to enjoy my job and the benefits we have. With time off, I can take more vacations and explore new places I’ve never been before.”
Adrian expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as a supervisor at the Palmer Events Center and is committed to continue operating at a high level. He aims to ensure that Palmer continues to offer all the features, ‘bells and whistles’ that make it an attractive location for events.
Taking pride in maintaining a strong work-life balance, Adrian is excited for the completion of a few upgrading projects at PEC, while eyeballing a Caribbean cruise as the next destination in his travel adventures.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
Beyond Our Work | Lupe Espinoza
Lupe Espinoza is a Public Events Worker at the Austin Convention Center, where she has more than 23 years of dedicated service. She began her career on the event crew, assisting with set-ups and tear-downs for 18 years. Today, she leads the set-up and oversees the cleaning of the administrative offices.
Originally from San Fernando, Tamaulipas, Mexico, Lupe was the first in her family to immigrate to the United States in 1992. She initially worked at Tortilleria Capistran in Brownsville, Texas, before moving to Austin in 1999. Before joining the Convention Center team, she spent two years working at IBM. Encouraged by a friend to seek a position with the City of Austin for better benefits, Lupe made the transition and has been a vital part of the Convention Center ever since.
“What I love most about my job is the way people treat me and how kind everyone is,” Lupe shared. “We communicate openly and respectfully, which has created a positive work environment for me. I’ve never had any issues with anyone.”
Though Lupe is quick to recognize the support of her colleagues like Mary Torres, Karen Borgaro, Mariana Davila, and Rolando Fernandez, they are the ones who sing her praises.
“She’s a friend first,” said Torres. “We all work as a team, and she’s ‘our Lupe.’ She genuinely cares. Whether it’s giving advice, sending well-wishes, or handing out birthday cards, she’s always there to help.”
Borgaro added, “Her energy is unmatched. She’s my hero. She adds a personal touch to her work and her warm personality makes everyone feel good. She’ll go out of her way to help and isn’t afraid to ask for help or offer suggestions.”
A resident of South Austin, Lupe enjoys spending time with her family. She has five brothers and seven sisters; three of them, including herself, live in the U.S., while the others remain in Mexico. She also has one son, whom she speaks with every other day, and three granddaughters, ages 24, 20, and 16.
At 76, Lupe continues to give back by volunteering with organizations that support those in need. She’s proud of her ability to keep working and cherishes her family. Recently, she’s taken up a new hobby.
“My new hobby is traveling,” Lupe said. “I’ve recently discovered cruising, and I’ve started planning them for my family.”
Lupe’s dedication, warmth, and tireless work ethic have made her an invaluable part of the Austin Convention Center team, where she continues to inspire those around her with her kindness and passion for helping others.
Traducción al Español
Lupe Espinoza es una Public Event Worker (Trabajadora de Eventos Públicos) para el Centro de Convenciones en donde ha dedicado mas de 23 años. Empezó su carrera con el equipo de eventos, asistiendo en el montaje y desmontaje por 18 años. Actualmente dirige la organización y limpieza de las Oficinas Administrativas.
Originaria de San Fernando, Tamaulipas, México. Lupe fue la primera en su familia en emigrar a los Estados Unidos en 1992. Empezó trabajando para la Tortillería Capistran en Brownsville, Texas antes de mudarse a Austin en 1999. Antes de unirse al equipo del Centro de Convenciones, trabajo para IBM por dos años. Un amigo la animo a que aplicara con la Ciudad de Austin el cual ofrecía mejores beneficios, Lupe fue contratada y desde ese momento ha sido una parte vital para el Centro de Convenciones.
“Lo que más amo de mi trabajo es la manera con que la gente me trata y lo amables que son todos”, compartió Lupe. “Nos comunicamos abiertamente y respetuosamente, y esto ha creado un ambiente laboral positivo para mí. Nuca he tenido problemas con nadie.”
Lupe inmediatamente reconoce el apoyo de sus colegas como Mary Torres, Karen Borgaro, Mariana Davila y Rolando Fernandez, pero cabe mencionar que ellos son los primeros en elogiarla.
“Ella es primero una amiga” dijo Torres. Todos trabajamos en equipo y para nosotros ella es ‘nuestra Lupe’. Su interés por ayudar es genuino, ya sea dando consejos, enviando saludos de recuperación o entregando tarjetas de cumpleaños, siempre está lista para ayudar”.
Borgaro agrega, “Su energía es admirable. Ella es mi héroe. Ella le pone un toque personal a todo lo que hace y su personalidad cálida hace que los demás se sientan bien. Ella mueve cielo, mar y tierra por ayudar alguien. No le da miedo pedir ayuda u ofrecer sugerencias”.
Reside en el Sur de Austin, Lupe disfruta pasar tiempo en familia. Tiene cinco hermanos y siete hermanas, tres de ellos incluyéndola a ella viven en Estados Unidos, mientras que los demás residen en México. Ella también tiene un hijo con el que se comunica casi todos los días y tres nietas entre las edades de 24, 20 y 16.
A sus 76 años, Lupe continúa sirviendo como voluntaria con diferentes organizaciones que ayudan a los necesitados. Se siente muy orgullosa de su capacidad para seguir trabajando y aprecia mucho a su familia. Recientemente, inicio un nuevo pasatiempo.
“Mi nuevo pasatiempo es viajar,” dijo Lupe. “Recientemente descubrí los cruceros y empecé a planearlos con mi familia.”
Su dedicación, calidez y su incansable ética laboral hacen de Lupe una parte invaluable para el equipo del Centro de Convenciones de Austin, en el cual continúa inspirando a los que la rodean con su amabilidad y pasión por ayudar al prójimo.
Caribbean American Heritage Month
Beyond Our Work | Stanfield Riley
Stanfield Riley has been a cornerstone of the Austin Convention Center Department (ACCD) for over 21 years and has served the City of Austin for 23 years. Self-described as the “Old School” Administrative Specialist at the Palmer Events Center, Stanfield is always prepared with a pen in his pocket.
“In my role, an Administrative Specialist does whatever is required to support coworkers and supervisors. This can range from managing copier machines to creating detailed spreadsheets,” Stanfield explains. “I handle a bit of everything, including answering public inquiries and the receptionist phone at Palmer.”
Originally from Barbados, Stanfield’s family immigrated to Brooklyn, New York, when he was 11. He lived there until the age of 31 before moving to New Jersey, Texas (where he worked at the Municipal Auditorium), and then to Atlanta for eight years with Arthur Andersen accounting firm. He eventually returned to Texas to be closer to his family, settling back in Austin where he continued his journey with the Austin Police Department as a Clerk Administrative Associate before transferring to ACCD.
Throughout his 21 years at Palmer Events Center, Stanfield has encountered a wide variety of calls related to city matters. One of the most memorable incidents involved an elderly man searching for his son who worked at a golf course near a hotel in Austin on Barton Springs.
“I called around while the man stayed on hold, and eventually I was able to track down his son and transfer the call,” Stanfield recalls.
Another notable experience involved a man from Tennessee who mistakenly believed a show he was attending was on March 1. After some research, Stanfield had to break the news that the event was actually on April 1, and the man had arrived a month early.
“You should have seen the look on his face when he turned to explain to his wife that they were a wee-bit early,” Stanfield chuckles.
A diehard New York Jets fan, Stanfield humorously notes that J-E-T-S stands for “Just End the Season” or “Just End the Suffering.” He holds a teaching certificate from Austin Community College and has volunteered for the City of Austin during COVID-19 and at shelters during storm relief efforts.
Looking ahead to retirement in the next few years, Stanfield is eager to focus on new hobbies, such as restarting his collection of engineering hats and learning to cook island foods. He said his mother was a pastry chef in Barbados and later worked as a personal chef in the U.S., and facilitated the family’s move.
Stanfield, the middle child of three brothers and four sisters, is proud of his family’s success in the U.S. and the Austin area. After moving from Barbados, they all grew up in Brooklyn and are now reunited living in Austin.
When asked for advice, Stanfield shares these words.
“Be nice, be courteous, and listen to what other people have to say because you might just learn something. I love the people here. Since I am down to my last years, I want to thank a lot of people,” said Stanfield. “In times of need, some people here will come to your support and aid.”
Beyond Our Work | Waleed Ibrahim
June 7, 2024 - Waleed Ibrahim, who joined the Austin Convention Center Department (ACCD) in June 2023, is the HVAC Mechanical and Refrigeration Supervisor. He leads a team of six that is responsible for the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), fire alarm, elevator, and escalator systems at the Austin Convention Center, Palmer Events Center, and the Warehouse and Marshalling Yard.
Before joining ACCD, Waleed worked as a building and facility engineer at the Texas State Capitol under the State Preservation Board. At ACCD, he manages the BAS animation systems that electronically control and manage HVAC systems for the entire building.
A native of Baghdad, Iraq, Waleed graduated from Baghdad University in 2002 with a degree in Computer Science. Waleed and his family immigrated to the US in 2010 after he served as a military interpreter.
“I received a special coin with my name on it from the Pentagon for service, dignity, and honor from the United States Army,” he said.
He then pursued HVAC programming at Austin Community College and completed his associate degree, followed by more studies in HVAC Energy Management at Ferris State University.
Fluent in English, Bursa, and Turkish, Waleed volunteers with Austin Immigration Services to provide interpretation services and help new families complete applications for services and IDs. He also volunteers with tours at the Texas State Capitol of the Capitol Extension. His hobbies include swimming, fishing, and playing both American football and soccer.
For those interested in the HVAC field, Waleed emphasizes its comprehensive nature, covering building, fire, electrical and lighting, water, and heating systems.
“When I walk into a building, sometimes I see the architecture,” said Ibrahim. “But I mostly see and focus on the HVAC, then the lights, how the windows are going to affect the temperature inside the room … it all relates to the building.”
Waleed is the third oldest of five brothers and three sisters, describing his family as Arabic and a mix of Christian and Muslim. He and his wife have been married for 21 years and are proud parents of three boys (20, 19, and 6) and one girl (14). He appreciates the culture, pride, weather, and diversity of Austin and Texas as a whole, which remind him of his upbringing.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Beyond Our Work | Jasmine Pyun
May 20, 2024 - Meet Jasmine Pyun, a dedicated Contract Management Specialist III at the Austin Convention Center Department (ACCD). With two years of experience under her belt at ACCD, Jasmine thrives on the dynamic nature of her role, which involves procuring various items and services for different ACCD business units and assisting with solicitations with the Purchasing Office.
“I like what I do and never thought I would get to say that in my entire life about my job,” said Pyun. “It is definitely the environment here. I work with amazing people, and everyone is very supportive and very happy to be here. I can say the Convention Center as a whole is a very happy department and if it was a person, I would describe it as peppy and professional.”
Having previously worked in diverse roles at other City of Austin departments, including as a 911 call taker at the Austin Police Department and in the Permitting Office Service Center with the Development Services Department, Jasmine brings a wealth of experience to her current position. Inspired by her hardworking South Korean immigrant parents, she takes pride in her identity as a first-generation American, having grown up in Austin since childhood with her two older brothers and previously living in South Korea and South Florida.
While her educational journey after Connally High initially led her towards biology and the medical field, Jasmine eventually found her path in purchasing and contract management after graduating from Austin Community College. Her experiences in household management and childcare also add to her background and organizational skill set.
Jasmine said at ACCD, she loves the fact that roles always change, keeping her on her toes and non-complacent. She enjoys how much independence she is given, working in a micromanagement-less office that trusts what she is doing.
Jasmine describes herself as someone who is adaptable and can go-with-the-flow, but is willing to learn new skills and tools, not fearing new challenges and experiences. She embraces challenges with enthusiasm, always eager to learn and adapt to new situations. She said that positivity is one of her strengths and her sense of joy is one of her personality strengths, and it is pretty easy to make her laugh and very hard to bring her down. Her suggestion in any career path choice is to take initiative and cross-train for more experience to move up.
Outside of work, Jasmine’s interests range from outdoor activities like hiking and swimming to artistic pursuits such as painting and playing video games. A true animal lover her true passion is taking care of rescues and rehoming animals.
“I eventually had to scale back because my house would be full of animals and I can’t take any more in,” said Pyun, laughing and joking about her two cats, a dog, and a tortoise. “I’ve rescued hedgehogs, a few tortoises, and snakes and rehomed them.”
Fluent in both Korean and English, Jasmine channels her creativity into painting landscapes and nature scenes, finding beauty in the simplicity of water, trees, and flowers. She cherishes the friendly atmosphere of the Austin community, where strangers are quick to lend a helping hand and offer warm smiles.
Black History Month
Beyond Our Work | Corey Greenwood
Oct. 11, 2023 - Corey Greenwood, the 45-year-old Events, Exhibition Services, and Operations Manager at the Austin Convention Center, oversees the largest staff unit comprising 95 employees (70 full-time and 25 part-time). His team manages event set-ups, tear-downs, housekeeping, recycling, composting, rigging, and event maintenance.
The US Navy veteran and former Operations Specialist achieved his academic ambitions after tracking down pirates from South America to Mexico and across the Pacific during his military service. Following his deployments in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, he went on to earn his degree in Entertainment and Sports Promotions from Northwood University.
Initially, Corey enrolled at Texas A&M – Kingsville after high school to play football. However, a year later, he decided to join the military. His time in the military inspired Corey to develop a resilient mindset, strengthening his conviction that no job is insurmountable.
“I developed this mindset while in the Navy: No job is too difficult for me,” said Greenwood. “Especially if someone else has done it before, then I can do it.”
Having worked at the Austin Convention Center for 9.5 years, Corey’s career journey includes roles at General Motors in Arlington and an internship at the Dallas Convention Center. He progressed from Events Coordinator to Senior Events Coordinator and ultimately to Operations Manager at the Austin Convention Center.
Passionate about assisting military veterans, Corey, with his SHRM certification, helps them translate valuable experiences on their resumes into civilian workforce skills. Residing in Pflugerville, he is a proud husband and father of five, including four girls and a son, and a grandfather of four. An avid every-team Dallas and University of Texas sports fan, Corey enjoys downtime in his backyard, listening to 90s & 2000s R&B and hip-hop music while barbecuing, smoking brisket, pulled pork, and turkey.
Corey appreciates the diversity of food and people, waterways, lakes, and the overall scenic feel of Austin. He loves the ever-changing nature of his job and the supportive team at the convention center.
“I love the people that I work with,” said Greenwood. “I feel appreciated, and I value how much our staff and team dedicate themselves to their jobs.”
Proud of his career and life path, Corey aims to inspire others through his memoir, titled “Defying the Odds,” currently written and looking to eventually publish.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
Beyond Our Work | Mary Torres
Oct. 11, 2023 - Mary Torres is an Operations Administrative Specialist at the Austin Convention Center Department and has worked at ACCD for over 16 years. She started in 2007 as a temporary Facilities Service Representative, advancing to a full-time Administrative Assistant, and then promoted to Administration Specialist.
Before ACCD, she had retired from the State of Texas, after 27 years, working in the Department of Insurance as a clerk, member of the statistics team, and working with the Speakers Bureau.
“I retired and was crawling out of my skin,” said Torres. “My neighbor said stay home and we can just go to the park and pick pecans. No! That was not for me. I love work. I love my job here. I love coming into the office seeing my co-workers, listening to the needs of maintenance, listening to their concerns, and assisting in helping with their needs. I leave work happy, with a good heart and a good feeling.”
At ACCD she works and supports Assistant Director, Taje Allen, the crew team members, and event and building maintenance teams, and helps with their human resources needs at both the Palmer Events Center and the Austin Convention Center. Mary is one of the first points of contact via phone calls and emails, to the public when they reach out to ACCD looking for information about the building, other facilities, events, move-ins, move-outs, department job openings, parking, and event site tours.
“My work is customer service which I love, and I told my co-worker Ms. Lee that this is a fun job,” said Torres, who also enjoys celebrating birthdays and baking cakes. “She calls me the Cake Lady because I try so hard to remember everyone’s birthdays at work. I will ask around to try and find out everyone’s favorite flavor to celebrate their day.”
Mary said one of her first jobs was volunteering with a federally funded migrant referral program, but her deepest passion is volunteering at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. At the church, she is an active member of Las Guadalupanas (Guadalupana Society), Mary Magdalene Society, and Sacred Heart. She is heavily involved with the church’s Sunday Kitchen program and its Magdalenas (Tamales) offerings. Along with teaching Catechism to kindergarten classes, Mary assists in hosting the Bishop and other pastoral needs such as visiting nursing homes and reaching out to members who are physically unable to attend.
Mary was born and raised in Austin, growing up specifically in East Austin as the oldest of three sisters, taking the blame for most of their actions. Her mother came to Texas from Mexico, and her father was a native Texan running a restaurant and bar. She said they spoke both Spanish and English while growing up, and she attended the Palm School. She has fond memories of spending her summers in Mexico in a small town near Eagle Pass, Texas, and Piedras Negras where her grandmother allowed them free-range to act and play as kids.
Mary is the proud parent of two daughters and one son and delights in spoiling her nine grandchildren.
