My name is Ramiro Navarro Jr. but most call me “R.J.” for short. I’m the proud son of a migrant Farm Worker and a Tejana School Teacher. I’m an Oregonian born and raised and have lived in Keizer all my life. I was a 63B, Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic, in the Army for 3 years. Did one combat deployment to Iraq in 2009 and experienced the traumas of war for many years after. After starting on my recovery journey from substance abuse and addiction, I decided to return to school for Business Management. I eventually worked at Chemeketa Community College as the Veterans Representative on the Student Council and used that experience to gain employment at a local nonprofit as the Veterans Program Coordinator. There, I designed and managed a program which provided mental health services to Veterans who struggled to return home as I did. Now, I've put my education and experience to the test by starting my own automotive business specializing in restoring older vehicles with modern upgrades. I continue to serve my community as a volunteer, be it wrapping presents for low-income families or advocating for public transportation as Director of Subdistrict 2 (Keizer) on the Cherriots board. When I was 18, I took an oath to serve the people of the United States and my oath is one that never expires.