84 Lumber celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month began on Sunday, September 15 and ends Tuesday, October 15, 2024. The month celebrates the many contributions, diverse cultures and histories of people of Latin American heritage living in the United States.
In observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, 84 Lumber highlights perspectives from three of its associates: Luis Moscozo, outside sales coordinator at 84 Lumber’s Westminster, Maryland store; Outside Sales Representative Julio Chavez Jr. in Rockaway, New Jersey; and Jesus “Lucas” Ochoa, a store manager in Christiansburg, Virginia.
“I think it's important that we celebrate [the month] because you want kids to grow up being proud of being Latino – I feel like it's a beautiful yearly reminder that a lot of people have come before you who changed their narrative for you to be here,” said Chavez Jr. “I feel that we do have a responsibility, as a Latin community, to keep paving ways for those that are afraid to ask, to be that voice.”
For Moscozo, it’s important for him to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and remember how far he’s come.
“It makes you feel proud, remembering where you’ve come from. Siéntete orgulloso, nunca olvides de tus raíces. Feel proud, don’t forget about your roots. We need to remind our future kids where their family came from, that we have Hispanic blood, and teach them our language(s). Remembering this and how hard you’ve worked, how far you’ve come during this month is important to me.”
Hispanic Heritage Month is important to these associates, but their heritage also keeps them grounded.
“Diría que me mantiene humilde,” said Moscozo. “It keeps me humble. Those of us who’ve come from another country value this country more – we aspire to work harder for the things we know we couldn’t have in our home country.”
It’s also an opportunity to teach others about appreciating Hispanic Heritage Month.
“It’s a wonderful chance for everyone to see the rich culture that Hispanics offer,” said Ochoa. “Sharing our culture has always been important and its continued exploration is a beautiful part of it.” Ochoa also said speaking to people of Hispanic heritage helps give others better insight. “They have wonderful and interesting things to say. You can learn from their stories of struggle and triumph that many of them have – either experienced themselves or dealt with among family. We love to share our stories and history.”
“This country is built off of diversity, off of cultures, sometimes we lose track of that,” added Chavez Jr. “We have so much to offer – including bilingualism in the workforce.”
Building a career
“On the construction side, there will always be Hispanics in the workforce, and they’re always happy to learn from other people,” said Moscozo. “We have customers who are Spanish-speaking – and they get so excited and happy when they meet someone from 84 Lumber who speaks their language, who understands them and can help them get what they need. Our customers really appreciate when we have someone on hand who knows our culture and can help them out.”
On getting ahead in the workplace, Ochoa, Chavez Jr. and Moscozo offer words of advice and encouragement.
“Embrace the Hispanic work ethic and the ability to speak Spanish, both traits open opportunities and set you apart from the crowd,” said Ochoa. “There is a need for Spanish speakers – from the yard, sales, management, and installation. The ability to speak with Spanish-speaking contractors adds a whole new customer base that may not be well-serviced by anyone else in the market.”
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions, don’t be afraid to get a little uncomfortable,” said Chavez Jr. “Speak up – this company is going to build that career and lay it out for you. If you have the ambition, if you have the skillset and discipline to really change your narrative, this company is that platform to get you further than you expected.”
“Este trabajo es perfecto para empezar a crecer,” said Moscozo. “It’s a perfect place to start to grow. Don’t be intimidated if you don’t know anything about construction – 84 Lumber will teach you everything you need to know. Don’t be scared about what you can’t do – be scared about what you didn’t do.”
Luis Moscozo, outside sales coordinator, 84 Lumber, Westminster, Maryland
“I’ll be honest, when I first got here, it was hard – learning a new language and the culture,” said Moscozo. “You’ll hear my accent in the way I pronounce things, but I’m not going to hide that I’m not from here. I love my culture and where I came from. I love that I’m bilingual and can help some of our contractors who may not be excellent in English themselves.”
Moscozo moved to the United States from El Salvador at the age of 15. Moscozo said he was working two jobs after finishing high school when he heard about 84 Lumber during a news segment on TV. After asking around about the company, Moscozo applied for a yard person position. Instead, Moscozo’s qualifications and bilingualism got him a different job, and at the age of 23, he started at 84 Lumber in 2022 as a manager trainee in Annapolis, Maryland.
“This is the first time I’m working for a company that truly helps you learn,” said Moscozo. “It's not like other companies, [84 Lumber] has so many programs that will help you to grow and learn. They do lumber camp, sales camp – I was surprised, I couldn’t believe they offered all of that. They really take care of you.”
After working in a manager trainee position for nine months, Moscozo was promoted to co-manager in July 2023 and moved to the company’s store in Riverhead, New York.
“After being [at Riverhead] for the last year, I’d say thanks to 84 Lumber. I feel more confident, and I feel like I also grew up a little bit,” said Moscozo. “I’m more mature – bigger and bolder.”
With his newfound confidence and promotion, Moscozo shared that he’s buying his first house, something he thought he’d never be able to do – at least not this soon in life. “I'm just so happy and I can't believe where I am right now. I would not be where I am today without 84 Lumber.
Julio Chavez Jr, outside sales representative, 84 Lumber, Rockaway, New Jersey
For 84 Lumber outside sales representative Julio Chavez Jr., his parents decided to move their family to the U.S. from Ica, Peru, in search of a better life and opportunities for their children when he was 5 years old. It also meant learning English while still retaining his first language.
“Just like any other kid coming to America, English becomes the dominant language, and I soon became more comfortable speaking it,” said Chavez Jr. “I still spoke Spanish with my friends and family. It never occurred to me until I got older that Spanish would be so influential and empowering.”
After completing high school at Passaic County Technical Institute, Chavez Jr.’s father encouraged him to learn a trade if he wasn’t going to attend college. Chavez Jr. started working at a local New Jersey lumber yard, and after working at that company for 20 years, Chavez Jr.’s wife stepped in and pushed him in a different direction.
“My wife said to me, ‘Hey, there’s this company, 84 Lumber – I’m going to fill out your application, so expect to get phone calls for interviews.’ With the blessing of my wife’s perseverance, I got an interview shortly after,” explained Chavez Jr. “84 Lumber stood out from the others with their desire and ability to work with you, inspire your dreams, your ambitions, and your potential. I wanted to say yes from the start. I knew I wanted to work for with this company because it seemed like a dream.”
Chavez Jr. was hired in October 2022 as an outside sales representative at 84 Lumber’s store in Rockaway, New Jersey. Now, Chavez Jr. is focusing on the American dream.
“We’re currently expecting a baby in November, which is a blessing, and part of that whole American dream – buying a house, property, being financially set. It started when my family decided to move here, and I don’t want to take that for granted.”
Jesus “Lucas” Ochoa, general manager, 84 Lumber, Christiansburg, Virginia
From Ventura, California, Jesus “Lucas” Ochoa attended West Virginia University before starting at 84 Lumber in May 2019 as a yard person in Morgantown, West Virginia. Months later, Ochoa moved into a manager trainee position. By May 2020, Ochoa had moved into a co-manager position. In February 2021, Ochoa was named store manager.
“What you put in is what you get out,” said Ochoa, general manager at 84 Lumber’s Christiansburg, Virginia store. “This is a demanding yet rewarding job, career opportunities are available if you are ready to work and earn it.”
Ochoa is now growing his store’s customer base with the goal of one day managing a larger 84 Lumber store.
“I love the absolute strength of culture [at 84 Lumber], it allows stores to be a cohesive unit while also working in ways that serve their markets in a specialized way,” said Ochoa. “If you’re willing to grow and learn with 84 Lumber and work hard, you’re going to thrive with this company.”
