Life at Orca Security revolves around the Pod – the people who have joined Orca’s mission to make the cloud a safer place for all. The ‘Pod Spotlight’ is a Q&A series dedicated to showcasing all of the amazing talent along with their personal stories at Orca Security.
This month, we’re excited to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by turning our spotlight on the Hispanic and Latino members of our Pod. From September 15th to October 15th, we honor the cultures, contributions, and achievements of Hispanic Americans who have enriched our company and the broader tech community. In this special edition of Pod Spotlight, we’ll hear from Orca team members with roots in various Hispanic cultures. They’ll share their experiences, inspirations, and the unique perspectives they bring to our mission of cloud security.
What is your position at Orca and what are your Hispanic roots?
Manny Parron:
I’m an Enterprise Account Manager here at Orca. As for my roots, I’m Cuban and Spanish.
Carlos Sanz:
Strategic Accounts Manager, West. My parents were born in Camaguey, Cuba and my grandfather was born and raised in Barcelona, Spain.
Why did you join Orca Security?
Manny Parron:
When deciding to join Orca Security, I considered market needs and gaps in cloud security. Many point solutions are ineffective, while Orca offers a comprehensive approach for efficiency gains. Orca stands out with broad coverage, development, and ease of operationalization. I consulted practitioners, experts, and advisors, confirming my findings.
Speaking with Orca employees revealed the company’s culture, vision, and customer-first mindset, which made the decision for me. Ultimately, I put myself in the buyer’s position and chose to represent the solution I believed was best in the market. After four months with Orca, I continue to enjoy the mission and the daily challenges and growth opportunities it brings.
Carlos Sanz:
I joined Orca Security July 1st this year so I’m still relatively new. I came to Orca because we’re so well positioned in one of the largest and fastest growing segments in cybersecurity which is a good place to be when you’re in sales.
What advice do you have for people getting started in cloud security?
Manny Parron:
Do something you’re passionate about, where you can make a difference, and choose a path where you are confident that you are doing the right thing for your customers, prospects, coworkers, and yourself. If you try your best and give it your all,you can succeed anywhere. Do not be intimidated by the learning curve, just jump in and eventually you’ll build your knowledge base, lean on smarter people around you and always feed your curiosity. Focus on continuous improvement and that will take you where you need to go.
Carlos Sanz:
Go online, do your research and learn as much as you can about cybersecurity and cloud computing. There are a lot of selling and IT courses on LinkedIn Learning and other sites. You can also get cybersecurity and cloud technical certifications online through SANS.org.
How does your Hispanic Heritage influence your career?
Manny Parron:
My Hispanic Heritage has taught me the value of unity, family, work ethic, and always doing right by people. In addition to the strong family beliefs and cultural impact, I have been blessed to have strong role models and understanding that bias can be overcome if you are a good individual and serve a positive purpose. My father came from a communist country. The youngest of 8 children and the only one born in Cuba, helped me understand the value of opportunity and making the most of it. Others in many instances never got that chance. When given an opportunity, it is our obligation to do everything we can for our family, ourselves, and those that do not have the same privileges as we do.
Carlos Sanz:
My hispanic heritage definitely influences my career as it is a large part of who I am. I believe my work ethic comes from my upbringing. I’m a Cuban American born in the Bronx, NY. My mother and father fled Cuba in 1960 to escape Castro’s revolution. They went to NYC by themselves when they were each 17 years old, and recently married. They came to the States with absolutely nothing and got a tiny apartment in Spanish Harlem. They went on to be successful in their careers with my father retiring as General Motors executive after a 35 year career. I watched my parents work hard their whole lives, it’s in my DNA.
What is something you love most about your Hispanic heritage?
Manny Parron:
Above all, the culture is rooted in family, beliefs and making a difference. A deep sense of doing right by those who support you, as we all struggle at times but we need to pick each other up and be there for family, community, and every life we touch.
The food is great too! Within the Hispanic Culture, you can explore many differences depending on the country of origin, which again shows variance but appreciation for differences. My favorite is Seafood Paella, or Churrasco with white rice and black beans.
Carlos Sanz:
Food. I love Cuban food! Picadillo is classic Cuban comfort food made from ground meat mixed with olives, capers, and raisins that is served with rice. Love it!
What’s one thing you wish more people knew or understood about Hispanic culture or history?
Manny Parron:
While the Hispanic culture is incredibly diverse, Hispanic communities have many distinct cultures with unique traditions, dialects, and customs. Once again, showing that not all people are the same. That said, in general, the culture has a strong emphasis on family, community, and respect. Always treat others as you would want to be treated.
Carlos Sanz:
Regardless of the country of origin (Mexico, Spain, Chile,..) Latins are family centric. I understand it is not exclusive to Hispanics, but it’s definitely something that is embedded in Latin culture.
Thank you, Manny and Carlos, for taking the time to sit down,sharing more about your Hispanic roots, and letting us know what life is like working at Orca Security! We’re proud to have you swimming with the Pod and bringing your unique perspectives to our diverse team.
Interested in working at Orca Security? Explore open positions here.
