Hispanic Heritage Month Spotlight: Juan Juarez, Barley Research Farm Supervisor, Burley, Idaho.
Juarez was a Wildland Fire Fighter before getting his ag degree from the University of Idaho, after which he served as an assistant farm manager for a 30,000-acre operation.
He started as a Coors Barley Breeding Program intern and has since moved into a brewing material agronomist and, today, a barely research farm supervisor.
Q: What does being Latino mean to you?
A: I don’t think about it. I just am. I would further add that as a first-generation American born from a Mexican family, I enjoy the best of array of cultures, traditions, foods and beers.
Q: Are you involved with Latino initiatives at Molson Coors or within your community? If so, how?
A: I recently discovered HOLA, Hispanic Organization for Leadership Advancement. I plan to become more active in promoting the identification and understanding of Hispanic culture with our company, our customers and consumers. I also support the local Knights of Columbus chapter, where you can find us Sunday mornings at the St. Nicolas church kitchen helping with breakfast and sharing a few laughs with our senior group.
Q: How do you celebrate your identity at Molson Coors?
A: I recently accepted the barley research farm supervisor role. Prior to this move, I was the Molson Coors Barley Agronomist. As an Agronomist, I provided farms with technical and agronomic expertise to ensure that our barley was produced and handled to our quality standards. Prior to heading to the field, I filled my cooler with our products. I celebrated my identity by sharing our brands as tokens of appreciation with the hard-working people in the field. It’s not every day that a Latino Moson Coors representative enjoys a cerveza with the people who produce the best ingredients for our brands.
Q: Do you have any tips for fostering an inclusive environment where everyone is valued and can bring their whole selves to work?
A: Just coming to work to get the work done is not enough. A sense of belonging and value is essential to inclusion. I promote a work environment where everyone has an opportunity be part of the team, and I encourage everyone to contribute.
Q: Who is someone who inspires you within the Latino community?
A: My parents. They came to the United States at age 16, broke, alone and with the dream of a better future. They taught me the value of an honest day’s work for a better tomorrow.