As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage month, we had the opportunity to speak to Alfonso Nava, manager, relay and protection engineering at Atlantic City Electric.

Born in Mexico City and raised in South Jersey, Alfonso has always had an interest in engineering. When he started his studies at Drexel University in 2002, he noticed that he was always one of very few Latinos in his classes. In some classes, he was the only person of Mexican descent. Alfonso identified a need for greater inclusion of Latinos in engineering. Two decades later, he continues to work to ensure that people who look like him have access to opportunities in the STEM fields. Alfonso is committed to helping create a brighter future for individuals of Hispanic heritage by volunteering with local youth groups, colleges, and workforce development programs. He also serves as board member of the Hispanic Alliance of Atlantic County.

Shortly after graduation, Alfonso started his career in energy with Delmarva Power where he was responsible for developing protective relay specifications for substation equipment upgrades and new substations. Later, he took a position at Atlantic City Electric as a field engineer. Alfonso is committed to helping create a brighter future for individuals of Hispanic heritage by volunteering with local youth groups, colleges, and workforce development programs. He told us, “I am there to show them it is possible, and to expose them to the different career options so they can be more informed about choosing their own path.” Most recently, Alfonso accepted a management position. He credits continuous support from his supervisors and colleagues and strong corporate resources with his long tenure with the company.

One of the resources that Alfonso appreciates most is Atlantic City Electric’s Employee Resource Groups (ERG). He currently serves as the president of the Delmarva Power chapter of the Organization of Latinos at Exelon (OLE) ERG. In honor Hispanic heritage month, Atlantic City Electric OLE has planned a variety of events that will benefit employees and the public. This year, he looks forward to enjoying an internal lunch where the team will host an open forum to discuss issues impacting Hispanic communities in South Jersey. OLE will also volunteer at the Atlantic City Latino Festival on Saturday, September 17. Outside of work, Alfonso is a soccer enthusiast and enjoys traveling internationally.