Conversations with Jose Moreno

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jose Moreno.

Hi Jose, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
I was raised in a neighborhood in Tucson, AZ, where most people never leave. I always aspired to work in sports and dreamed of what was outside my hometown. After attending my first Suns game from the top row of the nosebleeds, I was hooked, knew sports was a career path I wanted to take, and knew I would have to work harder than most to break into such an incredibly competitive industry. I attended CU Colorado Springs, where I played baseball and worked with kids at the YMCA as a part-time job. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and then a master’s degree in Business Leadership from Grand Canyon University. My first job was as a Community Relations Coordinator with the Phoenix Suns, where I was charged with fulfilling our community programming and events on and off the court. From there, I furthered my community relations experience at Grand Canyon University. I started and led the community outreach department, focused on creating events and programs that served the local and national communities in need. Eventually, I started my own events company, Mission Driven Events, which focused on nonprofit 5k/10k races around the Valley and in other states. I eventually sold the company after creating the first nighttime bubble run (Neon Bubble Dash). I went out to work for the Fiesta Bowl in 2015 as Director of Community Relations. I grew through various roles and responsibilities to my position as Chief Marketing Officer, overseeing all marketing, communications, community relations, advertising, corporate partnerships, and creative and local community events for the organization.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been fairly smooth?
A single mom raised me until I was a teenager, which presented many hurdles throughout my childhood. I always had a job and played sports simultaneously through school, so I had to grow up quicker than most. As a Hispanic minority in an underrepresented industry, I never saw other Hispanics in executive positions in sports growing up, so sometimes it was difficult to envision myself in such a role. Struggles are part of what builds us. My struggles are part of my story.

Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
My role now is the Chief Marketing Officer for the Fiesta Bowl. I am responsible for setting and executing the growth strategy for the Fiesta Bowl marketing efforts. I oversee all corporate partnerships, marketing, advertising, PR, community relations, and creative. I was hired as Director of Community Relations and Charitable Giving 8 years ago and grew within the organization to my current position. I’m most proud of the foundation for new programs that I’ve built since 2015, including the Wishes For Teachers program ($5.7 million back to AZ Classrooms), spearheading playground builds, sports courts, football field donations, and resource rooms, organizing 2x Guinness Book of World Records events in the community, and $25+ million distributed to local nonprofits.

What sets me apart from others is how I let my childhood struggles fuel me to push for success. My experiences also make me incredibly empathetic to anyone starting. I was that kid, and I can relate to the thousands of kids impacted by community programs. I grew up going to the Salvation Army and know first-hand the impact charitable giving can have on the trajectory of a child. Growing up, my mom didn’t sugarcoat our situation. She was honest about what we didn’t have, which made me work harder and appreciate the life I have built for my wife and son.

Do you have any advice for those just starting?
Work ethic will always shine through over any connection or level of intelligence in the space. Outwork everyone! My first opportunity to speak with a sports executive in college, I followed her outside after she spoke at my class and told her, “I know this is a who-you-know game. I don’t know anyone, but I will outwork everyone in that room, I’ll pick up trash until 2 am for free if it gets my foot in the door”. Fast forward a few months, I was allowed to volunteer for a professional MLS game (Colorado Rapids) with her and outworked everyone, eventually leading to a full-time internship with the Denver Nuggets. Looking back, I would tell myself to embrace adversity, embrace the challenges, and sometimes no; it just means “Next Opportunity”! As an athlete, I am naturally competitive, so I understand the frustration of facing adversity. Every experience and learning moment along the way has helped me prepare for my next endeavor. I’d tell myself to embrace it all, learn from it, grow from it, and when you fall, you fall forward.

Contact Info:

• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-moreno-b0389310