Raul Rodriguez has joined OSFM as our new Application Developer, working on software programming essential to our agency staff – such as the Firehouse program used by the Prevention Division.
Raul, who was born in Cuba and whose parents left that country with absolutely nothing after declining to join the Communist Party, lived in Madrid, Spain through the 2nd Grade before his father moved to Winfield, Kansas to be a doctor at Winfield State Hospital. His father’s medical career took him to Cherokee, Oklahoma, Kiowa, Kansas, and finally Topeka where he worked at Topeka State Hospital until he retired.
Raul was 19 when he arrived in Topeka, and he studied computer programming at Topeka Technical Institute. His first computer programming position was with the Kansas Association of School Boards, followed by a 22-year career with MC Industries. For the past two years, Raul worked for the Kansas Turnpike Authority. He recently decided to continue his education and expand his knowledge of new computer languages through courses at Allen County Community College.
Raul has been married to his wife, Misty, for 26 years and they have two children. Daughter Alexus is returning soon from an internship with Disney to attend Washburn University. Their son, Jaden, is a student at Shawnee Heights Middle School. His hobbies include photography, tennis, jogging and snowboarding.
“After spending the past two years working in a remote office from the rest of my KTA co-workers – who are based in Wichita – I’m really looking forward to working in person with those in the Office of the State Fire Marshal,” Raul says. “The agency has a great mission and I’m happy to be given this opportunity to be a part of it.”