Once a Pre-Med student, Paula Izquierdo joined TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico in 2007 and put her study skills to work on the transportation industry.
By Hilary Reeves
Growing up in Dominican Republic, Paula Izquierdo wanted to be an anesthesiologist.
“My Dad disapproved,” she said. “That’s his line of work, and he didn’t want me working as many hours as he did. I ended up in transportation, and I work just as many hours. We’re always joking about it.”
Izquierdo, a Terminal Lead at TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico, was born in Puerto Rico, the eldest of eight siblings. She learned early on to give thanks for the things she had.
“I learned to give and share with those around me who were not of the same economic status as my family,” she said. “My stepfather taught me the simplicity of empathy and accepting everything around us as-is. We can only change ourselves, not our surroundings.”
Izquierdo attended a total of five schools growing up because the family was constantly moving.
“I think that’s the reason I like change so much, and I don’t feel the stress of it,” she said. “I love meeting new people and having diversity in my life. My greatest influence growing up was my grandmother, Aida Negron. She had this positive personality and was very sweet. Even though she was fighting breast cancer and had had a double mastectomy, I always remember her with a big smile on her face and a positive comment for any situation. She really taught me that we do make our days by how we react to them.”
Izquierdo began her college career as a Pre-Med student, but six months after school started, her grandfather died and her grandmother had a stroke that left her bedridden. Izquierdo had to work full time to help pay the family’s expenses. She changed her major to Microbiology, took classes at night, and worked as a cashier in a hospital during the day.
“After two years, I was approached by a good friend who wanted me to work for this freight-forwarding company as a messenger. That was the beginning of the journey that would change my life for a second time. I loved that company. I worked there for almost 11 years, starting as a messenger. I drove myself to absorb everything I could about the transportation business: import/export, air, ocean, domestic, international, customs entry, ITs, Hacienda Releases, billing, customer service, logistics, and even distribution and warehousing.”
Izquierdo said she loved the work, but the hours were overtaking her personal life. She started looking for a new job and landed at TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico’s San Juan office in August of 2007. Her first position was Quality Process Supervisor.
“I was able to reach the core of the business; seeing the operation of the vessels and the port was like a daydream,” she said.
In 2009, she was offered a position in the Operation Department as a supervisor.
“I was the first women to fill that position, and my direct co-workers were all men,” she explained. “I can’t say it wasn’t tough, because it was. Being a woman in a man’s world has been among my greatest challenges. I had to shift the way they saw me, but most of all convey that I was yet another person at the terminal doing my job the best way I could.”
“I love my job. I honestly know a lot of people that don’t enjoy or even like what they do for a living. But for me, it’s not work, it’s a family that together is trying to build a better future for our children and our island. I can’t wait to see the terminal finished, the new vessels arriving, and to be able to say that I was a part of the history of transportation in Puerto Rico.”
Izquierdo started doing auto inspections, monitoring that the lashing was done correctly, and learning to maneuver all the different equipment used at the terminal. She said she soon gained the respect of the stevedores and her peers. After six months, she was placed in charge of the island’s Feeder Vessel. In 2010, she added Vessel Planning and Invoice Coding to her list of responsibilities, and in 2011 her title changed to Terminal Administrative Assistant. Her current title is Terminal Administrative Project Lead.
“I was given the opportunity last year to be a part of the team spearheading the new Terminal Operating System (Tideworks) for the BIT Terminal in JAX this July, and the SJU Terminal next year. I have to say that my understanding of the terminal has helped me better understand the system as a whole, and our requirements. I am really enjoying the team and everything we have accomplished working together.”
Izquierdo has been happily married for the past 10 years to her husband, Luis Ayala, and has three sons: Omar Antonio, 15; Sebastian Alejandro, 12; and Fabian Andres, who is 6 years old. Izquierdo describes Fabian as her “miracle baby.”
“Fabian was born with a condition called ACC – Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum – and since he was born our life as a family has changed,” she said. “Having a child with special needs changed my perception of quality time with the family and taught me how fragile life really is. Fabian also teaches me every day that there is no boundary to what we can achieve as individuals. The special recipe is having family support and a loving environment. My kids are the blessing in my life and the engine that keeps me working hard.”
Izquierdo said she is most proud of finishing her work and coming home to her family.
“I’m proud when I reach my set goals for the week. I like to achieve in every aspect of my life.”
Her next goal, she said, is to earn her bachelor’s degree in Finance, a dream she hopes to achieve before her oldest son Omar enrolls in college.
“Just imagine the two of us on the same campus – I don’t think so,” she laughed. “Long term, I’d like to become a certified yoga teacher and write a book, but the goal is to set some free time aside to do so. As far as my plans for TOTE Maritime Puerto Rico, I see a very bright future and many more new endeavors. I am open to any role in this company that helps me be better every day. I love my job. I honestly know a lot of people that don’t enjoy or even like what they do for a living. But for me, it’s not work, it’s a family that together is trying to build a better future for our children and our island. I can’t wait to see the terminal finished, the new vessels arriving, and to be able to say that I was a part of the history of transportation in Puerto Rico.”