Karel’s Barranco Story: From Technician to Leader by Example

When Karel joined Barranco in 2020 as a Food and Beverage Installation Technician III, he knew how to handle tools — but not necessarily people. What he didn’t know then was that he was stepping into more than a job. He was stepping into a brotherhood that would challenge him, grow him, and ultimately help him become the man he is today.

“I travel the country installing beverage systems in places like QT and Murphy USA,” Karel explains. “That’s the job. But what really happened at Barranco? That’s personal.”

Karel came in with grit, drive, and technical skill — but says his people skills were “rough around the edges.” Early on, he clashed with customers and coworkers. “If someone talked sideways to me, I’d give it right back. That was my mindset. But Dave and Matt didn’t give up on me. They saw something deeper — and they pushed me to grow into it.”

That push wasn’t about pressure. It was about belief.

Mentors like Gary and Chandler stepped in, not just to correct Karel — but to invest in him. “Gary sat me down and shared his experience. He taught me that when you walk into a room, you don’t need to be noticed — you need to notice others. That changed the way I move.”

Karel leaned into the challenge. Slowly but surely, he learned to lead with humility, respect, and purpose.

Today, Karel isn’t just a technician — he’s a standard bearer.

He lives out the Barranco core value of Serving Others with conviction. “When you make someone else feel good — and you expect nothing in return — that’s real. That’s where fulfillment comes from.”

What motivates him now? “I want to show Karel what Karel is capable of. That’s what drives me every day.”