K of C Council 6031 – Knight of the Month – June 2021
Alberto Aldrete
Born and Raised in: Born in Tijuana, Mexico, but have lived in San Diego since the age of four.
Married to: Diana Aldrete for how long? 22 years
Kids? Twins, Nicholas and Christian (16)
Occupation: Healthcare Executive
Major Jobs: After getting my Bachelor’s Degree from San Diego State University, I completed my Medical Degree from Guadalajara, Mexico.
After moving back to San Diego, I worked as a Regional Clinic Director for about 16 years for a local organization. I most recently took a Chief Program Officer role for a Social Service organization, but needed to go back into healthcare and now am happily employed at a healthcare organization that caters to the elderly.
Why you decided to join the Knights? My grandfathers were both Knights and as the story goes, my parent met each other many years ago when my grandfathers went to a mutual KoC family event and the rest is history. There are no other Knights in the family, but I was drawn to the idea. After meeting several of the Knights and speaking to John Heinen at a men’s retreat, I was sold!
What is one thing that your friends probably don’t know about you? I am a talker, so my friends know much about me, but one thing they may not know…until now of course is; I am a data geek. I track everything in excel spreadsheets. I like to know where I am and where I want to be and track it and determine if I’m on track. I mean everything, finances, sure, but weight loss, steps taken, poker wins/losses, NFL games, etc. I know, I know, a bit much.
Favorite Hobby: I dabble with a few things. I enjoy throwing the ball around, or shooting hoops, but it I were to pick one that I do the most, I like to put in some mileage. I challenge myself to reach certain goals. This year, my goal is to hit 3 million steps in the year, not an easy task, when I spend eight hours a day behind a computer.
If you got to start over again after graduating school, what would you change? I would change nothing. Not everything worked out the way I plan or hoped, but you either succeed or you grow as they say. I’ve enjoyed the journey!
Did you travel much? Aside from the back and forth to Guadalajara during my medical school days, not much. My last job (pre-covid) I hit 19 cities in the first three months on the job, that was a bit much. Short of that, our family vacations is pretty much all the traveling I do.
How long have you been a Parishioner of St. Gabriel? My family and I moved down from San Marcos about seven or eight years ago. We spent a year or so at St. Rafael and then settled into the Poway are and St. Gabriel’s about seven years ago. We met and fell in love with the parish and the parishioners. I’m of course heavily involved with the Knights, my wife is a lecture and involved with Be My Witness and my boys have alter served and ushered for a few years. It is a family affair.