Dublin graduate Arturo Reyes is always setting new goals for himself. “Once I start feeling comfortable, that’s when I feel like maybe it’s time for a new goal,” he said. “Once you get comfortable with something, you’re okay with what you have right now, [even though] you know you can do better…I have dreams. I’m living them right now, and I have more dreams to go.”
When Reyes was growing up in Dublin, his father worked on the Leyendekker Dairy. Reyes spent much of his childhood there, and enjoyed helping out around the farm.
Reyes graduated from Dublin High School in 2015, and went on to Texas State Technical College. Because of his experience working on the dairy, “I was more inclined to hands-on type of work,” he said.
At TSTC he focused on welding, and once he finished school he started working in Brownwood for Solaris Energy Infrastructure, where he built and welded machinery for the oilfield. He stayed there for a little over a year, then moved back to Dublin where he took a job at Prime Buildings for a year and a half.
Reyes found himself wanting to experience the city life, and in 2020, right before the pandemic, he decided to move to Dallas and work for his uncle, a construction subcontractor. The move ended up being a great decision. “[My uncle] pretty much showed me everything I know now, and so it’s thanks to him I am where I’m at right now.”
Reyes now works as a lead installer for the construction company Chatham Worth Specialties. The company works on commercial buildings, and as an installer, Reyes specializes in putting in steel structures ahead of the rest of construction. He’s worked on hospitals, schools, high-security buildings, police departments and jails.
In the future, Reyes hopes to start his own business. “I’m starting to look into getting my LLC to become a subcontractor as well, and right now I’m just making some capital so I can get my own fleet going, get my insurance, workers comp, and all — just getting everything ready for the future.”
Reyes’ job right now offers him a flexible schedule and generous time off. Each year he gets around a month of vacation days, and he loves to travel. Later this year he will be traveling to China, visiting Shanghai and the island of Sanya. “There’s so much out there to discover,” he said.
Reyes also enjoys riding motorcycles. “I’m more into the slower pace, like choppers, Harleys,” he said. “I used to compete in motocross during high school, so I have dirt bikes as well, and I sometimes head out to the track here and there around the DFW area.”
Reyes’ parents, Guadalupe and Dionicio “Nicho”Reyes, moved to Dublin from Zacatecas, Mexico. Once he graduated from high school, they moved back to Mexico, and Reyes goes to visit them once a year.
His parents have been Reyes’ greatest source of inspiration in life. His father, especially, passed on his strong work ethic. “Without him, I wouldn’t have the mentality [I have], and wouldn’t be where I am today,” says Reyes. “Because of him I’m here in the United States, and I’m living out dreams that maybe he would have loved to live out when he was young, and he never could, because of poverty and everything else. I owe everything to him, honestly. And of course, my mother — she gave me life, and I am thankful for that.”
Throughout his life, Reyes has struggled on and off with mental health, and had to make changes in his life to help himself. “I’m doing good now,” he said. “Depression was definitely something I had to overcome.”
Reyes’ advice to Dublin graduates is to follow their dreams, keep pushing themselves out of their comfort zone, and don’t forget to take care of themselves.
“Many people, they focus more on the building of capital — making money — and that’s it. But it’s not all about money; it’s taking care of yourself, too,” he said.” Treat yourself. Buy yourself that car, that motorcycle. I mean, we’re here for a little while, and you gotta enjoy life while you’re here, and you gotta take risks, get out of your comfort zone and try new things. Even if you fail, at least you tried, you know?”
— Where Are They Now chronicles what Dublin graduates have done since high school. If you have any suggestions for other grads, email publisher@dublincitizen.com.