AJ grew up in East Side San Jose, CA. He recently graduated from Sacramento State University with a B.A. in Sociology. During his undergrad schooling, he participated in the California College Corps Program where he was an Education Intern at Soil Boil Farms, an urban agriculture and education project. As an Education Intern, he taught children from grades K-5 about the fundamentals of gardening and food systems at two school sites, worked with students to cultivate and maintain gardens to promote hands-on learning, and supported youth education activities on the farm on the weekends. He was also a Data Analyst at the California Homebuilding Foundation-Construction Industry Research Board (CIRB). AJ is coming into this work with a passion for sustainability and equitable access to agriculture, food, housing, and data. In his spare time, he enjoys playing video games.