In observance of Veterans Day on November 11, the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) honors those who are currently, and/or who have been, connected to military service or military families. We are honored to spotlight Marvin Aranas, who works on the SFPUC's Information Technology Services (ITS) team and a member of the Air Force Reserve.
For as long as he can remember, Marvin has always wanted to be part of something greater than himself. He felt this urge to connect to a larger purpose when he was in high school and first considered joining the Marines. Life took him on a different path, but in 2012, he was working at Chevron and met a colleague active in the Air Force Reserve. That sparked his interest again and he soon signed up.
A Calling to Serve
By day, Marvin is a lead in SFPUC’s ITS team and liaises between its customer service and cybersecurity teams. In his off time, he’s working on Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California, where he serves as a Master Sergeant in the Air Force Reserve. For one weekend a month and two weeks during the year, Marvin helps ensure that the IT equipment supporting the 60th Air Mobility Wing is ready to be deployed at a moment’s notice.
“My daughter was only five or six years old when I enlisted,” said Marvin. “But my family was understanding – they knew that serving in the military has been an item on my bucket list. It represents a selfless calling, and I have always been motivated by the chance to make a meaningful impact beyond my individual contributions.”
Support from his family has been crucial in Marvin’s career as a reservist, particularly as it involves time away from home. He has traveled to Niger, Peru, and Japan with the Air Force. This past spring, Marvin’s unit was activated and sent to Israel. For five months, he managed a team of 10-15 airmen in setting up satellite service and server infrastructure, so that flight crews in the air and on the ground could communicate with each other.
“I was called up on a Sunday and given a few weeks to get organized. I’m grateful for the SFPUC for making that a seamless process, so that I could focus on saying good-bye to my family. My manager in ITS helped with transitioning my projects, and Human Resources was very responsive in answering my questions about taking leave,” said Marvin.
A Shared Mission of Service
Although traveling to far-flung places can be exciting, Marvin has found the “wingmanship” of being an airman to be the most fulfilling. This commitment between colleagues to look out for each other is part of the culture he enjoys at the SFPUC as well. “Whether leading teams, supporting colleagues, or contributing to organizational goals, I strive to lead by example and communicate transparently,” Marvin said. “I believe in taking care of the people I serve, fostering collaboration, and creating an environment where individuals feel valued and empowered to contribute.”
Both the SFPUC and the Air Force are mission-oriented organizations, and Marvin notes that his work complements each other. “The leadership, technical expertise, and problem-solving skills I develop through military service strengthen my effectiveness at the SFPUC, while the opportunities and experiences I gain at the SFPUC enhance what I bring back to the military," Marvin said. "Both organizations are committed to serving others, developing people, and making a positive impact in our communities.”