Fresno, California · Central Valley

AlexGutiérrez

policy advocate · engineer · founder

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Where it starts

Born and raised in the Central Valley.

I'm the son of immigrant parents, and I grew up working in the fields alongside farmworkers in California's Central Valley. That early experience laid the foundation for who I would become.

It sent me to study how communities and governments work, and into years of pushing for change on the ground. From there I found technology, a new way to build what communities need. Since then I've mentored the next generation of engineers, led products, founded a company, and taken up coaching high school soccer.

It's all been one story, and it started here.

A rural Central Valley road at duskCentral California
2011 → 2013
Fresno State

A Master of Public Administration.

My college path started in the social sciences, studying society and the systems of government. It led to a Master of Public Administration in 2013, where I gained a deeper understanding of public policy, organizational management and civic systems.

Bachelor of ArtsHistory · 2011
Master of Public AdministrationPublic Administration · 2013
Alex on the day he received his master's degreeMaster's graduation day
Impact
Sons and Brothers

Where my story met my training.

I led the Sons and Brothers program, working alongside young men to improve living conditions in their own communities by bringing their voices to local and state policymakers.

It was the first time my experience growing up as a young Latino in a rural community and my policy background came together. They've been part of the same work ever since.

An elder blessing Alex with a feather during a Sons and Brothers ceremonySons and Brothers ceremony
2015
Bitwise Industries

Taking the mission into technology.

In 2015 I joined Bitwise Industries in Fresno and found a new way to do the same work. I built software with government agencies, healthcare providers, nonprofits and growing companies, translating what people and communities actually needed into something that worked.

I came to technology through policy, and that has never stopped shaping how I build.

Same mission.
New tools.
Mentor
Growing others

Lifting people into the industry.

As a senior engineer I mentored more than 30 apprentices, and over 20 of them went on to become junior engineers. I wanted people from communities like mine to see a career in tech as something within reach.

Alex presenting to a community audience
Voice
Keynotes & advocacy

Different rooms, one message.

I've given keynotes at youth programming events, spoken to rooms of government and nonprofit leaders and policymakers, and stood in front of tech leaders to talk about access to technology for Latino communities.

The rooms change. The message doesn't: our communities belong in these conversations.

Alex giving a keynote at the Chicano Latino Youth Leadership ProjectYouth leadership keynote
2022
Product Leadership

Owning the whole picture.

When Bitwise acquired Listing Alert, my role changed. I wasn't only building anymore. I was accountable for the entire product: where it was headed, who we needed on the team to get there, and whether the thousands of people relying on it every day were better off for it.

It's where I learned to hold the full picture, the technology, the people, and the promise to the customer.

Accountable for
where it goes.
Coach
Sanger High School

Section champions. State champions.

I've always used sport as a way to develop young men into future leaders. I built the Sanger Apaches boys program into a multi-time section champion and a California state champion, with a culture built on discipline, belonging and showing kids what they're capable of.

I also founded a youth club soccer program in Southeast Fresno, giving young athletes a competitive pathway to develop, compete and pursue higher education.

Sanger Apaches soccer team holding a CIF championship plaqueCIF champions, Sanger Apaches
2023
Founder

Founding Oranj Technologies.

In 2023 I started Oranj to do this work on my own terms. I partner with organizations in agriculture, construction, nonprofits, government and startups, helping turn their ideas into products and staying alongside them as they grow.

The work travels mostly by referral, because the relationships matter as much as the code.

Oranj Consulting & Technologies logo
Mission

Technology should serve the people it's built for.

I build systems, teams and opportunities that open doors for the communities that raised me. I lead with heart, with intention, and with the belief that the work only matters if people are better off for it.

what I believe.

Community first

The people closest to a challenge should help shape the solution. I build with communities, not only for them.

Lift as you climb

Every door that opened for me is one I want to hold open for the next person.

Develop leaders

On a field, in a classroom or on a team, the goal is the same: grow the next generation of leaders.

Lead with heart

Intention, honesty and a belief in bringing out the best in others.

let's connect.

If something in this story resonated with you, whether you're building something for your community, have an idea worth exploring together, or just want to trade stories, I'd love to hear from you.

Alex speaking at a public meeting

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