When Ali Shirkhodaei immigrated to the United States from Iran at 28 in 2006, he didn’t know how difficult it’d be to get a job, even with his molecular biology degree. He job hunted for a year, with no idea he’d eventually run a successful dry-cleaning business in Campbell. Shirkhodaei did know he wanted to infuse...
Welcome to In the Spotlight.
This monthly feature spotlights the people who make San José an incredible place to call home. From unsung heroes to former city leaders and politicians who’ve disappeared from the public eye, we catch up with San Joseans who are doing amazing things — and we share the awe inspiring stories behind their struggles and successes.
We are telling the unique, ever-changing, diverse story of San José. One person at a time.
Who should we feature next? To nominate someone for our next In the Spotlight profile, email [email protected].
San Jose addiction counselor’s family struggles inspired her work
Mary Crocker Cook turned her addiction into empowering others, bringing dignity and purpose to people who’ve experienced alcohol or drug addiction. As the daughter of a military father, Crocker Cook’s family moved frequently. Stability was hard to come by and disruption was constant. It was tough for the family, including her mother, who turned to...
John Kouretas invites San Jose to be Greek for a day
If John Kouretas could wave a magic wand, he’d transport any San Jose resident in love with Greece back to his beloved ancestral country for a visit. But since he can’t, Kouretas brings the food, music and culture to San Jose. Kouretas said the joy of having the community come together to celebrate the three-day...
Sarina Soriano reps East San Jose on Super Bowl Sunday
When the San Francisco 49ers take the field on Sunday for Super Bowl 58, Sarina Soriano will be nearby catching the action with a camera. Soriano, 29, is the first female senior producer for the 49ers and one of the first Latina cinematographers in the NFL. At 49ers Studios she creates content for its website...
San Jose’s Trash Punx brings new twist to garbage removal
One man is working to make San Jose and the world cleaner, one piece of trash at a time. All his life, San Jose resident Justin Imamura has been motivated to give back to the community and care for the environment. He leads The Trash Punx, a San Jose nonprofit dedicated to both. It hosts waterway...
Bay Area sports exec redefines boys’ club culture
As a child, Zaileen Janmohamed didn’t gravitate toward ballet or gymnastics. What excited her involved kicking, dribbling or spiking a ball. She was passionate about team sports, which taught her far more than the emotions that come from a win or a loss. It taught her life skills that helped build confidence, critical thinking and...
Reggie Roberts: the mail maestro of San Jose City Hall
Every morning for the last quarter of a century, Reggie Roberts ensures Silicon Valley’s most powerful politicos have their mail. Roberts, a city employee, has been delivering letters to offices in San Jose City Hall since its North First Street location decades ago. He’s the one colleagues come to for a little laughter, a warm...
Helen Chapman fights to save San Jose’s open space
Growing up, Helen Chapman was surrounded by acres of nature in Orinda. That’s when her passion for preserving open space began. And now, as the chair of the Santa Clara Valley Open Space Authority, Chapman is its steward and Coyote Valley is her crown jewel. Being in harmony with the land is in her blood....
Former San Jose pub owners put community first
For John McKay, owning a pub is in his Scottish blood. For Englishman Michael North, it’s his calling. Together, the two former owners of Britannia Arms of Almaden Valley built a business that focused on giving back and treating every customer like family. For North, 60, who grew up poor in England, doing things for...
One woman’s quest to transform East San Jose
Maritza Maldonado was raised in East San Jose by parents who immigrated from Mexico. They worked in the fields before her father found employment as a custodian and her mother as a cannery worker. She grew up with parents who wanted a better life for their daughter and she didn’t let them down. “Our immigrant...