Jesse Lopez

Name: Jesse Lopez

Age: 29

Family: My wife Tiphanie and our 2-year-old son Bruno.

City of residence: Corning

Occupation: Currently, I am the assistant manager at Lodi Irrigation in Corning. I have been in sales for most of my adult life.

Favorite part of the job: The daily interaction with a wide variety of customers.

What part of your job would you gladly give up? The mopping and dusting, it is a never-ending task.

What do you like most about Corning? Since it is a small community, I like that you never feel alone. There is always someone you know or recognize. It is very rare to be out and not run into a familiar face.

What would you like to change in Corning? Our downtown area needs work. I would like to see it declared a special or historic district so if possible. Then maybe the city could pursue grant money to aide the building owners in revamping their investments.

What is the best advice you have ever received? I am not sure if this is advice, but I was once told, "The future is what we make of the present, otherwise it is only a continuation of the past."

Tell us about a life-changing experience: I actually have two experiences. The day I met my wife, June 21, 2003. We have been together ever since. And the birth of our son on Feb. 15, 2008.

If you were granted one wish, what would you wish for? I do not believe in wishing. I believe in setting realistic goals, making a plan as how to reach your goal and working towards it every day until you reach it.

Whom do you most admire and why? There are many people in my life who have helped guide me, but if I have to chose just one person, it would hands down be my wife. She works hard every day as a Special Education teacher at Willows High School. It takes an extraordinary person to do what she does day in and day out. She embraces each day with a smile knowing that she is going to make a difference in someone's life. Plus she puts up with me and all my quirks and aspirations, which is a challenge in its own right.

What are your favorite places to go in the area? I do not know if you consider this area, but I love going to Fort Bragg.

What was your first job? Growing up I worked here and there for my family's harvesting company, but my first real job was at the McDonalds here which lasted all of two weeks. I got tired of burning my fingers on the bun toaster so I left and went to work at Marco's Pizza. "Thanks Steve and Tracy."

If you were a superhero, what would your power be? My ability would be to turn a hot July day into a day that is 60 degrees and foggy.

What's something you can't live without? By the looks of my fit boyish figure, the answer to this would be food.

What's something about yourself that your friends might not know? Most people do not know that I'm involved in local government. I am the chairman of the city's planning commission and I am also planning to run for city council.

Do you have any pet peeves? Yes

Something unique about yourself: I am good at coming up with song parodies.

What kind of pets do you have? A black lab named "Drake."

Hobbies/interests: I am a big fan of professional football and baseball. Traveling is fun too.

Where do you get your news? CNN, local papers and news.

What's your favorite thing to do on a rainy day? To cook and watch the food network.

What are some of your fondest memories? Growing up in our small community, playing sports and spending time with family.

What are your favorite foods? I am a fan of all types of food.

Favorite musical group: Too many to list.

What quality in people do you most admire? The quality of friendliness and taking a person at face value.

What was your favorite toy as a child? My "Claws" truck.

Favorite television show: My favorite TV show of all time is "The Wonder Years."

Worst television show: "Real World"

Favorite movie: "Tombstone"

Worst movie ever made: "Good Night and Good Luck"

Contact Cindy Monroe at 824-5464 or cmonroe@tcnpress.com.