Whether serving as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, mentoring and developing employees in the private sector, or earning an MBA at UHD in May 2025, Ever Alvarado sees leadership as the driving force behind every step of his journey. 

“What the world needs right now isn’t more government or more money—it’s more pure leadership,” Alvarado said. “I pursued my MBA to inspire, lead by example, and help others develop and elevate their goals.” 

The child of Hispanic immigrants, Alvarado credits his parents for instilling in him strong morals, a strong work ethic, and grit. Starting at age 13, he worked for his uncle every summer in the construction business, where he learned teamwork, dependability, and survival—especially in Houston’s summer heat. Six months after high school, Alvarado enlisted in the Marines, and the traits he gained from his parents and construction work helped him graduate from boot camp and rise to the rank of sergeant in just two-and-a-half years. 

“I served two tours of duty in Iraq and Kuwait,” Alvarado says. “It was difficult, but I did the best I could every day.” 

After earning an honorable discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps, Alvarado went back to college to earn an undergraduate degree in accounting from UHD. The transition wasn’t easy; he faced many academic challenges and spent countless hours with tutors trying to catch up. But through determination, the support of his wife, and hard work, he turned those struggles into a lesson in resilience and leadership. 

“I had to get back to basics and relearn how to study, read, and take notes,” Alvarado says. “I was working full-time while supporting a family, but I was determined to succeed and become a role model for my kids. I also knew that advancing in my career would give me a greater voice and impact in the lives of others.” 

Today, he is the Senior Operations and Finance Manager for a Houston distribution and trading company in the plastics industry, where his leadership principles and practices have helped the company increase sales and revenue by 40% over the previous year. He also takes great pride in mentoring his direct reports, and customers often reach out to him for leadership advice or even ask him to provide training.   

“In my life, I’ve watched people with so much potential see it go to waste,” Alvarado said. “They were misled, misguided, or too scared to try—and too often, I wanted to help but couldn’t, whether because of corporate boundaries, different departments, separate companies, or simply being an outside observer with no authority to intervene. That’s why I care so deeply about leadership: I want to help others find their potential, believe in it, and achieve things they never thought possible.” 

“In a world filled with so much negativity, doubt, and distraction, I want to become a shining light of hope, belief, and optimism for individuals, and help guard their dreams, goals, and confidence so they can rise to lead and achieve whatever they see as success.” 

Alvarado added: “Lastly, I want to thank UHD for believing in me and never giving up on me. I’ll forever be grateful.”