Born in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of Chamisal, New Mexico, John Jaramillo grew up in a large family shaped by resilience, discipline, and deep cultural pride. After moving to Colorado at a young age, he entered the U.S. Navy straight out of high school and spent two decades serving around the world, building the leadership foundation that still defines his work today.
After retiring from the Navy, John earned a master's degree in Organizational Leadership from Chapman University and focused his energy on building a future for the next generation. Alongside Selene Nestor, he co-founded the Hispanic Restaurant Association in 2021 to create real pathways for Hispanic restaurateurs, chefs, and culinary workers through education, advocacy, and business support.
Under John's leadership, HRA helped launch the nation's first Hispanic Restaurant Week, supported the creation of the Hispanic Chefs Association, and advanced major initiatives designed to increase visibility and opportunity for Hispanic culinary talent across the country.
