Born in Lubbock, Texas and the oldest of five children, Erick Alonso describes himself as being a social butterfly from an early age – always making friends and finding ways to connect with people. His childhood was marked by major transitions between Texas and Mexico, experiences that shaped his adaptability, resilience, and love for community.
When his family moved back to Lubbock while he was in second grade, Erick faced the challenge of starting school with only two English words in his vocabulary — yes and no. The language barrier made school difficult, and eventually, Erick chose to return to Mexico to live with his mother, grandmother, and extended family. His grandmother’s home became the family’s gathering place, where Erick thrived surrounded by love, laughter, and cousins, playing escondidas, bote loco, soccer, and football.
In eighth grade, Erick moved once again — this time to El Paso, Texas, where his mother began a new job. The transition was smoother thanks to bilingual teachers and the familiar presence of family in both El Paso and nearby Juárez, Chihuahua. Erick quickly adjusted, found community through high school football as a running back, and built lifelong friendships.
After high school, Erick took on various construction and painting jobs, but a turning point came when his father, recently back in his life, bought a bar for the two of them to renovate and run together. Erick eventually took ownership, but over time realized the lifestyle wasn’t fulfilling. Seeking purpose and change, he made a spontaneous — yet life-changing — decision: he walked into a local Army recruitment office and enlisted.
Service and Sacrifice
Erick served proudly in the US Army, completing three deployments to Afghanistan. During his second deployment, in 2008, he was injured by an IED blast, sustaining shrapnel wounds after narrowly escaping a similar incident hours earlier. Despite the dangers and challenges, Erick looks back on his Army years with gratitude — for the lessons learned, the lifelong bonds formed, and the growth that came from adversity.
Coming home was both joyful and difficult. Erick and his wife were raising three (eventually five) children, and he was determined to be present as a husband and father while providing financial stability. Work opportunities in El Paso were often limited to contract positions at Fort Bliss or the local refinery, leaving Erick juggling multiple jobs with little rest. Exhausted but driven, he made another pivotal decision: to use his GI Bill benefits and earn a degree in Business Management.
Finding his Path at Ethos
After earning his degree, Erick sought stable local work — a challenge without a long employment history outside contract jobs. His cousin Manny, who worked for Ethos Distributed Solutions, encouraged him to apply. Erick initially declined, citing a fear of heights, which Manny found ironic given Erick’s past experiences rappelling out of helicopters in the Army. Eventually, Erick took the leap.
He joined Ethos, completed orientation (including climbing training — “it wasn’t that high,” he jokes), and set off for his first telecom project in Washington State. Standing at the base of a 150-foot tower, Erick admitted his fear and volunteered to climb first. Each step upward became symbolic — a climb toward growth, courage, and providing for his family.
Over the years, Erick has risen through the ranks at Ethos, bringing his leadership, curiosity, and people-first attitude to every role. Today, as Director of Renewables, he works from his hometown of El Paso, balancing his commitments to his family and to the mission of Ethos.
Living The Ethos Way
Erick embodies The Ethos Way: integrity, action, and a relentless commitment to doing what’s right. From his early days as a “social butterfly” to his service in the Army, to climbing the ladder at Ethos (literally and figuratively), Erick has built his life around resilience, hard work, and connection.
Known for his warmth, communication skills, and ability to solve problems under pressure, Erick continues to mentor others and lead by example. Whether in the field or the office, he puts people first, embraces challenges, and delivers results. His journey — from Lubbock to Afghanistan to El Paso — is a story of perseverance, growth, and unwavering dedication.
Ethos is proud to have Erick Alonso as part of our leadership team — a true example of grit, heart, and The Ethos Way.