Daniel Villao
Master of Business Administration
Daniel Villao’s parents risked everything to immigrate to the United States from Ecuador in 1963. They succeeded despite limited opportunities for Spanish-speaking immigrants.
Villao, a first generation American, benefited from his parent’s strong work ethic. For 12 years he labored as an electrician, but grew tired of superiors receiving raises for the work that he and his team provided. He decided it was time to get an education.
He enrolled in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at University of Phoenix. “About a year into my studies, I was approached by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers about a position … of those [who applied] I was the only one with an advanced degree.” He got the job.
Villao then enrolled in the MBA program with University of Phoenix and received another offer. “Halfway through my MBA program I was approached by the Building Trades Council … They were looking for someone to take over the representation of public sector workers for all the unionized trades in Los Angeles and Orange County.” Not only was he awarded the job, but he received a valuable pay increase. Today he represents nearly 140,000 unionized construction workers in the largest Building Trades Council in the country.
To support Latino business people, Villao serves on the Board of Directors for the National Hispanic Business Association.
