Remembering Phil Orland: A Life Dedicated To Service

Knowing Phil Orland was one of those experiences in life where you meet someone who has a positive impact on your future. He would always be cheerful and full with words from wisdom, leading up until his passing this year at age 75! It’s because he gave honest feedback when I felt discouraged that helped me emerge successfully- without the help from my support network this story wouldn’t even exist as it does now…and Phil was an impactful part of my network.

I’ll never forget the day I met Phil. He was a man with so much heart and spirit, always looking out for others before himself.

Phil Orland’s life was dedicated to serving others – a father, a husband, a friend, a dedicated civil servant, a community volunteer, a mentor, and a US Navy Vietnam veteran. He often spoke about his time as a U.S Navy seaman. During the Vietnam War, he served on one of our country’s destroyers named the USS Henderson. On top of that, Phil talked with excitement about his enriching experiences and career at the City of Los Angeles’ Recreation and Parks, where he managed recreation programs that covered all ages. He loved working for the City of LA, especially with the countless co-workers he met during his career journey. This resulted into an impressive network of friends and colleagues.

Phil Orland was a man of many hats, and his service to others will be remembered long after his passing. Phil was a man of great compassion and empathy, always looking out for others. He had strong opinions about politics, but it came from a good place in his heart because he wanted everyone to live their best lives possible. That’s why I’m so honored that this man considered me one such individual worthy enough for advice on how we could serve municipal Retirees together when he was a Board member for the Employees Club. That was the kind of man he was, always looking to help others.

May his legacy live on among the lives he touched. Rest in Peace, Phil.

Stop Impressing Others and Start Impressing Yourself

You could be forgiven for thinking that integrity is something you only need to worry about when other people are around. But the truth is, your integrity is just as important when you’re alone. After all, who are you really trying to impress with your actions? Other people, or yourself? If you’re only trying to impress others, then you’re not being genuine. But if you’re trying to live up to your own standards, then you’re being true to yourself.

There’s a lot of pressure to be perfect. We’re constantly surrounded by images and messages telling us that we need to look a certain way, act a certain way, and be a certain way. It can be hard to know who you are when you’re constantly being told what to do.

If you’re only trying to impress others, then you’re not being genuine. But if you’re trying to live up to your own standards, then you’re being true to yourself.

-Robert Larios

But it’s important to remember that you are not defined by what other people think of you. You are defined by who you are when no one is looking. Are you someone who stands up for what’s right, even if no one is watching? Are you someone who does the right thing, even when no one is there to see?

Your integrity is the most important thing in the world. You will make mistakes and poor choices along the way, but always make amends and follow your true self. It’s what makes you who you are, and it’s what sets you apart from everyone else. So don’t forget about it, even when nobody is watching.

Thanksgiving Is A Time To Give Thanks For All The People Who Have Helped Us Grow

Happy Thanksgiving Day! It’s a special day like today that I hope for all people that they have a wonderful day full of love, laughter, and good food. This is certainly a time to be thankful for all that we have in our lives. But it’s also a time to celebrate who we are and the journey that has brought us to this point.

For me, this Thanksgiving is extra special. It’s not only a time to reflect on all the good things that have happened this year, but also on all the people who have helped make me who I am today. I want to thank my parents for always supporting me, even when I’ve made mistakes. I want to thank my friends for always being there for me, no matter what. And I want to thank my wife Patricia for always making me feel loved and supported. I want to thank people like Verne and Joyce Maynard, Bud and Penny Bradford, Sherman and Susan Johnson, Don Smith, and so many others. Here is a more comprehensive list of the people who have contributed to my growth in life – https://bit.ly/3VqxHLm

I know that each of you has your own list of people to thank as well. So take some time today to remember those who have been important in your life journey. Give thanks because there are so many blessings coming your way!

Please honor the people on your list by naming them here.

Remembering Verne Maynard, An American Hero

On November 11, 2022, Veteran’s Day was observed in the U.S., honoring all those brave women and men who have served our country. We are grateful for their dedication and sacrifice, and we honor their commitment to protecting our freedoms.

We salute you, Veterans, for your bravery and courage in the face of danger. You are an inspiration to all of us, and we are proud to call you our friends and neighbors. Thank you for your service!

When I was a little boy, one of the first veterans that I met was Verne Maynard. He was my Dad’s employer shortly after we arrived from Mexico. It didn’t occur to me until much later on just how bravely this man had served his country during World War II. He was the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal. The Bronze Star Medal is a prestigious U.S military decoration that can be awarded for acts of valor or service to our country in combat zones with distinction.

Verne was a kind-hearted man. I didn’t grow up knowing my birth grandparents until returning to Mexico as an eleven year old boy, but Verne and Joyce treated me like their grandson. Verne would dress up as the Easter bunny and Santa Claus during Easter and the Christmas holidays, appearing from out of no where it seemed to bear gifts for my sisters and me. Of course, as a young boy then, I didn’t know it was Verne under the costumes. My adoration of the season stems from those memories of childhood happiness made possible because they were so kind-hearted people who loved coming together as family.

Verne was not only a wartime hero who helped preserve America’s future in World War II, but later in his life helped someone like me – an immigrant from Mexico who later became an American CEO.

Verne and Joyce were also a big part of my support network from kindergarten to graduating from the University of Southern California. Why is a support network important for success in life? It can provide stability during difficult times, help you stay motivated, and even provide new opportunities. It did for me. I look forward to writing more about this subject matter in future blog posts.

Why is a support network important for success in life? It can provide stability during difficult times, help you stay motivated, and even provide new opportunities.

Robert Larios

Can you share a story about how your support network played an important role in your success?

Stay Motivated When Others Try To Bring You Down

In 1989, I was elated when I received the American Legion Award at my 8th grade graduation at Pauma School. It was a great honor to be recognized for my academic achievements, especially after spending the year before recovering from scoliosis surgery, and despite that it would be a decade before I would be sworn in as an American citizen.

As people began to disperse after the graduation ceremony, I was approached by a neighborhood Mexican teen who was a sophomore at Fallbrook Union High School. He quietly said that none of this mattered and that my awards and recognition were nothing. My response to him was, “We will see…”

It can be tough to stay motivated when we’re faced with negativity from others. But it’s important to remember that these people are often looking for validation themselves. They may not understand what it means to achieve something great, so they try to bring others down.

It can be tough to stay motivated when we’re faced with negativity from others. But it’s important to remember that these people are often looking for validation themselves.

-Robert Larios

But don’t let them get you down! Use their words as motivation to prove them wrong. Let your success speak for itself and show them that your accomplishments are real and mean something.

Self-Advocacy: Why Head Down,Working Hard Is Not Enough

As an immigrant child, I remember seeing my parents working long hours and striving for the American dream. They sacrificed so much to give me and my siblings opportunities that we never would have had in México. They would say, “in this country, give it all that you have, and you will be rewarded.” Later in life, I discovered that it also meant that you need to be creative and engage with the world around you in order to find success. For example, once I started advocating for myself, higher levels of recognition and success followed.

The world is constantly changing, and what worked in the past may not work now. To be successful you need to have an adaptable attitude that’s willing try new things – so rather than keeping your head down to be recognized, look up more often!

Have you been advocating for yourself?

A Support Network is Essential for Success in Life

It’s been a little over a year since being appointed as President & CEO of the Employees Club of California and I have been reflecting on the journey that arrived to this point in my life. I cannot help but think of the all the people that supported me along the way.

In my experience, the people who have been most instrumental in my success story are not just supportive family, friends, and mentors but also those that give me honest feedback and encouragement when I am feeling discouraged. Without their help this is undoubtedly true for myself as well-I would never be able to do anything on any level of life without them.

Who are the people that you rely on for support and encouragement?

Who are the people that have helped you to be your best self?

From a Mexican Immigrant to an American CEO

I’m an immigrant person born in Pihuamo, México then raised on an avocado and citrus farming community in San Diego County. My parents risked everything to give me a better life. As a one-year-old, they carried me in their arms across the treacherous Mexican border into America, where new challenges waited for me the next 46 years. As a young immigrant boy, my journey in America started in 1976 in Pauma Valley, California where I dreamt of being successful and having a meaningful life. Education played a significant part in my journey; I earned a B.A. in Spanish Literature & Linguistics with a minor in Business Administration at the University of Southern California in 1997 and an executive M.B.A. from the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan in 2014. I set a goal to build a successful career that would result in achieving my childhood dream of leading an organization. Now, as President & CEO of the Employees Club of California, I lead a highly dedicated and talented team who work vigorously to celebrate the lives and work of city, county and state government employees by honoring, recognizing, thanking, and expressing gratitude for serving their American communities.

From a Mexican immigrant to an American CEO, I learned the power of overcoming struggle, and I want to share that with you in the hopes that the lessons I learned from my journey can help you find your inner strength, personal growth, and your definition of success.

Give It All That You Have, And You Will Be Rewarded

As an immigrant child, I remember seeing my parents working long hours and striving for the American dream. They sacrificed so much to give me and my siblings opportunities that we never would have had in México. They would say, “In this country, give it all that you have, and you will be rewarded.” Later in life, I discovered that it also meant that you need to be creative and engage with the world around you in order to find success. For example, once I started advocating for myself, higher levels of recognition and success followed.

Once I started advocating for myself, higher levels of recognition and success followed.

-Robert Lariós

The world is constantly changing, and what worked in the past may not work now. To be successful you need to have an adaptable attitude that’s willing try new things – so rather than keeping your head down to be recognized, look up more often!

The American Dream

My parents risked everything to give me a better life. As a one year old, they carried me in their arms across the treacherous Mexican border into America, where I was raised in an environment of opportunity – the American dream.

They were not born into privilege and had to work extremely hard to provide for our growing family. I am eternally grateful for their sacrifices and everything they have done for our family, community, and as impactful members of our American society.

As a Mexican American, I am proud to celebrate my heritage and culture. 𝙃𝙞𝙨𝙥𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙘 𝙃𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙖𝙜𝙚 𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙝 is the perfect time of year for us all (and of any ethnicity) to reflect on what makes us unique in this world while recognizing those who have gone before us so that they might continue their vision forward through our success stories today!

I encourage other first, second, and third generation Americans, employees, students, and immigrants of all ethnicities to do the same. Let’s continue working hard and achieving success. We can make a difference in our American communities and empower others along the way.