Pete Montero:
CLASS OF 1981
Bullard High SchoolClass of 1981
Fresno, CA
Art Center College of DesignClass of 1987
Pasadena, CA
Saint John SchoolClass of 1977
Wasco, CA
Pete's Story
Life
2002: Living in Ann Arbor, Michigan with my beautiful wife, Jane, and kids, Jordan (5yrs old) and Kate (4 1/2yrs old).
-----
Moved to Michigan from SoCal in October, 2000. Thank God for quattro AWD! 45 inches of snow in December, 2000!
-----
Jane and I went through real trials and tribulations to start a family, adopting our two angels in 1998. If anybody needs to know what to do and what NOT to do (we've been there, as well, with two failed adoptions), I'd be happy to assist/ listen.
-----
Our Dog is Molson (Golden/ Collie mix), a truly sweet 13 year old with the spirit and complex personality of any human.
-----
I've moved around a bit professionally: I'm currently a Manager in Industrial Design Strategy for Johnson Controls Automotive Systems Group in Plymouth, Michigan; I'm in the Advanced Design Studio, developing strategies that will drive concepts for future Auto Interiors. Previously, I was Product Planning Manager at American Isuzu Motors Inc.; Before that, Product Planner for ACURA Integra, CL, TL, NSX (where I was responsible for the introduction of the Integra Type R and NSX Type S-Zero/Zanardi Edition to the U.S.) and Color & Trim at American Honda Motors Inc.; Before that, Advanced Product Planner at Mazda R&D North America; Before all of that, I was an Advanced Designer for Mazda Motor Corp. in Hiroshima, Japan. I worked on the 1992 MAZDA 929 and MX3 as well as other projects. I was in Japan for 1 1/2 years. Great experience; As you can see, I have been very lucky to have the opportunity to experience lots of new things.
EDITED from Above, updated again in 10-2008:
Well, last year was a doozie... After 5 years of lay-offs all around me, I finally got the bad news in March, 2004. Then, our sweet dog (Molson) passed away at the age of 15. The GOOD news is that I now work for Hyundai Technical Center in Advanced Product Planning (back out of Design, unfortunately) and we have a really amazing 5 year old Golden Retriever (Meghan); Molson's not forgotten but Meghan is a great addition to the family. We've also just moved into a beautiful contemporary home in a hilly, heavily wooded area of Ann Arbor.
EDITED AGAIN from Above, in 11-2018:
Still in the same house and, though I'm with Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center (same as in the 2008 update), I actually went away for 3 1/2 years (to FIAT-Chrysler Automobiles, where I was North...Expand for more
American vehicle planner for the Jeep Renegade & FIAT 500x). I was asked to come back and, so here I am... kind of felt like the final episode of the "last" Bob Newhart Show, where he wakes up in his darkened bedroom convinced that he had dreamt this whole series, and when he mentions his blonde wife, the light comes on and it's Suzanne Pleshette in bed next to him... the FCA years sure seemed to be an odd sidetrip, almost surreal, though enriching (many trips to Italy will do that).
Last year (2017), we also bid our sweet Meghan good bye, while also welcoming into our hearts, Marley (another Golden puppy)... Not enough love to give these sweet animals.
Our kids are taking those steps into adulthood, with some mistakes along the way. All we can do is try to be there to help them back up when they fall, though it has proven to be heartbreaking in some cases... but, that's what we signed up for, and we certainly didn't have any misconceptions of how difficult it could be.
As a race car driver friend of mine always advises me, "Keep a light touch on the controls"... my life is proof of the wisdom of this advice.
Take care- Keep the wind at your back.
Pete
School
Mrs. Oak was the teacher that influenced me most... It was most likely her Humanities classes (Period "0", my senior year) that opened my eyes to Philosophy and Logic, two interests that I carried with me as I went on to college to study in a field (Design) that isn't always considered "logical" but, in reality, relies heavily on critical thought.
It was, in fact, in her Logic class that I recognized my Liberal leanings, even as (as I did on one occasion) I challenged myself to tackle decidedly-Conservative views for logical debate. In at least one case, I know I was misunderstood (too convincing?)- Sorry, Abby; we probably had more in common than you know.
As for crushes, all I can say is that I was amazingly inept and clumsy with females until after graduating (what a shame!). I'm amazed that I was ever able to find my way to meet, romance & marry such a beautiful woman as my "long-suffering" wife, Jane. I'm a lucky guy and, though I'm sure that I will not accomplish a fraction of what I always wished to, what I HAVE accomplished (& am confident I will yet accomplish) turns out to be those things that really matter in the end. Best wishes that we all have this sense of accomplishment.
Register for Free to view all details!
Reunions
Photos
Register for Free to view all photos!