Sergio Cortes joined Underground in September of 1986. He started working, as a laborer, at Underground's Marin County Pacific Bell Maintenance Yard with Bob, Tom and Rod MacDonald; Ismael Lemus was the truck driver.

From the Marin Yard, Sergio moved on to the El Sobrante Yard, then the Union City Yard. In 1996, he began working in the Palo Alto Yard, supervising a crew of 6 workers. The work is extremely challenging, involving connections to live electrical duct structures. In spite of the hazards, Sergio supervises one of the safest crews at Underground.

In addition to enjoying his current job with the City of Palo Alto, Sergio has enjoyed working with Allan Lee, Tony Simi, Eric Wilson, as well as many other Underground employees. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family, restoring furniture, working with wood and deer hunting.

Sergio and Teodomira have been happily married for 26 years. He describes his wife as a beautiful woman and a very special person who enjoys cooking and taking care of their family. As Sergio says, "She's not just my wife, she's also my best friend." They have two sons, Sergio Jr. and Daniel.

Sergio Jr., his eldest, is a Sergeant in the Air Force working at the Pentagon and was present on that catastrophic date of September 11th. Fortunately Sergio Jr. survived that day. Daniel is a student and loves working with computers. He was recently named "Student of the Year." Needless to say, Sergio and Teodomira are very proud of their sons.

We asked Sergio what is the one thing he would like to say to all other Underground employees. His reply was, "If you take care of Underground, then Underground will take care of you!"

THANK YOU, Sergio, for all the good work you have done for Underground.