Born in Nicaragua, Dorian Dominguez’s early life was filled with both the hope of becoming an Olympic boxer and the harsh reality of political unrest. At just 16, he was faced with a decision no young person should have to make — either stay and be forced into war or leave everything behind in search of a safer life. The transition was tough, he says, “When I left my country, I didn’t come on a plane. My mom gave me $50 and said, ‘Go and find a better life.'"

That journey took him two months of walking on foot, swimming through rivers, surviving on instinct and willpower. Throughout the long, grueling ordeal, he kept his mother’s unwavering strength close to him. He reflects, “My mother was one of the greatest fighters I’ve ever known. When I was afraid, I’d just think of her.”  

In 1984, a national boxing championship in Nicaragua called ‘Futura Promesas’ (“Future Promises”) selected athletes for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Dorian beat out everyone in the 132-pound weight class and became the national boxing champion.  

Though he never made it to the 1984 Olympics, where he was slated to compete alongside the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Dorian brought the fighter's mindset into everything he’s done since. These are the lessons learned from his uncle and three-time world boxing champion, Alexis Arguello. “I learned discipline and to be a good listener – he was a good man. He took his job seriously. I remember at the gym when I was looking at him, he came to me and said you don’t have to love this, you have to enjoy it. Everything you do in life you need to enjoy it."

Today, that same grit fuels his work at the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC), where he plays a vital role in maintaining and replacing aged streetlight poles across San Francisco.

Lighting the Way for San Francisco

Dorian joined the SFPUC in 2023 as an electrical helper, a role that requires hands-on problem solving, safety awareness, and teamwork. He supports electricians and line workers by helping assess and repair city light poles, many of which are decades old and deteriorating from the inside out. He explains, “Bolt covers look fine from the outside, but underneath, there’s rust, dirt, even needles. A screwdriver can go straight through. That’s where I come in.” 

His team evaluates pole integrity, removing bolt covers, and mapping pole numbers to coordinate with the city’s infrastructure systems. The work is often fast-paced and high-risk, especially when poles are knocked down by cars or damaged by weather. He emphasizes the safety measures they must take, “You can put cones down, but they won’t protect you from a car coming through. Safety is everything, and our training makes sure we all go home at the end of the day.” 

For Dorian, the SFPUC is more than just a job, it’s a community that has welcomed and uplifted him.

“It’s the people behind us at work – the people in the office, our supervisors, and our mentors – who should take center stage. Because of them, we are happy doing what we do,” he said. “I've worked in so many places, and it’s rare to find coworkers willing to share knowledge and get down in the dirt with you. Here, they do. It’s like a family.”

A Legacy of Strength

Dorian often reflects on how far he’s come, from the jungles of Nicaragua to the busy streets of San Francisco. A father of three and a new grandfather, he openly discusses his upbringing with his children, not for sympathy, but for inspiration. Dorian says, “My daughters ask me to tell the story again and again. My little one told me, ‘When you say it, it makes us stronger.’”

Though he no longer boxes competitively, Dorian still carries the spirit of a champion. That legacy lives on, less in the ring, and more in the resilience he brings to his work, his family, and his community. Dorian says, “I left everything. But sacrifice is part of the game. You have to go through something to understand value.”

Looking Ahead

Dorian remains deeply grateful for the opportunities he’s found at the SFPUC, and even more grateful for his colleagues and mentors. “I’m thankful for them. The way they treat you here… it’s beautiful. They believe in you. That’s something you don’t see every day.”

Dorian recently welcomed his first grandchild and is over the moon. His mission is simple: to keep showing up, working hard, and honoring the memory of his mother. He remembers what ultimately pushed him when he arrived in the US: “My goal has always been to make sure my mom is proud. That’s why I’m here.”