Persistence To Grow

Story By: Rosa Rodriguez
Photos By: Jesse Nogales

Industrial Engineer Gerardo Renteria has established his well-rounded reputation under GM. His willingness and dedication continue to take him through the ranks of one of the most globally prominent automotive manufacturer.

GERARDO RENTERIA

Age: 31

Hometown: Leon, Mexico

Colleges: La Salle University, Tecnológico de Monterrey

Career: Industrial Engineer

Why engineering? “Industrial engineering is so open so you can interact and play in so many areas throughout many things: manufacturing, engineering, design and quality,” he said.

Aha moment: As a child Renteria knew he wanted a career in engineering. He visited an assembly plant and saw robots interacting and became fascinated with their designs and how they worked in synchronization to build things.

It runs in the family: Renteria’s father is a chemical engineer

Many people fear math and science. Mathematical formulas, the periodic table, and the laws of physics that are sometimes difficult to memorize often drive students to pursue other careers, but Gerardo Renteria overcame the challenges and found a passion for math and science. Renteria is an industrial engineer at the General Motors plant in Arlington. He is a production control lead, a production-driven role in which he oversees that products are produced on-time and within specific expectations. His work line manages SUVs and trucks, specifically Chevy Tahoes and Suburbans. His role is the culmination of nine years with GM, dating back to his earlier years when he interned at the GM plant in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

“I was working with new products, new launches, traveling to all the plants and helping with implementations to new vehicles,” he said. Renteria, who left Mexico three years ago and has lived in Dallas for seven months, came to the United States through his internship. He worked at the GM headquarters in Michigan with the design and engineering team and demonstrated persistence and contributed to the success of his team, which eventually moved him to his current role near Dallas. He believes his determination as a Latino helped him rise in his career.

“We are open and willing to do things,” he said. “We are very creative and sometimes we try to do things differently.”

The early education he received growing up is what Renteria credits most in paving the way to his career. He thanks his teachers who helped him understand complex materials and items that require advanced analytical skills and problem solving thinking, allowing him to discover his strengths and talents live within math and science.

“I had very good teachers,” he said. “That’s the reason why I was never afraid.”