Jefferson is a communications and outreach intern for El Monte’s Clean Mobility Nexus program. This program is a multimodal initiative that involves bus electrification, affordable long-term e-bike rentals, and electric car share, all in the city of El Monte.
He joined ActiveSGV at the beginning of 2026 and is excited to explore the wide range of issues that ActiveSGV tackles, including access to green spaces, walking/biking infrastructure improvements, climate change, food equity, etc. He spent most of his life in the San Gabriel Valley after immigrating to the United States with his family at the age of 10. When not at work, you can probably find him on LA region's rail, bus, and bike network, exploring what the region has to offer in terms of food, culture, and sights. Learn more about Jefferson in his own words!
How did you get started working at ActiveSGV?
The projects that inspired me to join ActiveSGV were mainly the Active Streets events and the e-bike programs at GoSGV. While the SGV has seen transit improvements over the years, the sheer size of the San Gabriel Valley makes transit less accessible to many people, and I think active transportation options like bikes are a good way to solve the first/last mile problem. The Active Streets events are a way to build community, and a great way to show what the streets can look like with less focus on cars.
What do you like most about working with ActiveSGV?
The people are the best part of the job, be it my colleagues or community members. The SGV is such a diverse area with many different cultures, and working at ActiveSGV really accentuated that fact. It is an honor to learn from a variety of people full of differing experiences and expertise. I think it’s also just cool seeing people being proactive about their own well-being and the community’s well-being, and that is what makes the job rewarding and fulfilling to me.
Favorite and memorable ActiveSGV experience:
It would have to be the first bike ride I participated in as a staff member. We expected 70 people and planned everything around that, but close to 100 showed up. It was certainly a challenge, but everyone on the team handled it swimmingly. The happy faces at the end really make the effort worth it, and I was impressed with everyone’s tenacity and flexibility to successfully host an event!
If a friend from out of town were to visit, which place in the SGV would you take them to and why?
If they are a foodie, I will take them to restaurants across many different cuisines in the SGV, since our cultural diversity makes it possible. If they are more of a museum type, the Huntington Gardens or the Norton Simon Museum are must visits. Folks also don’t realize that public transit in the LA region is often a valid way to get around to the major sights (and avoid the pain of traffic and parking!), so I will make sure to let them know that as well!
What are you currently listening to, reading, watching, or digging?
Listening: Hikaru Utada. Also shoutout to nandert on youtube for keeping people updated on what is happening to public transit in LA county.
Reading: Jacob Geller’s How A Game Lives. He has been a video essayist that I’ve followed for a long time, and it’s great to get a revised, annotated form of some of his works.
Digging: Final Fantasy Tactics.
