Celebrating 75 Years of J.M. Rodgers: Employee Spotlight on Diego Vargas
As part of J.M. Rodgers’ 75th anniversary celebration, we’re highlighting the employees who have helped shape our company over the years. In this employee spotlight, President Diego Vargas reflects on his journey from joining JMR in an IT role to leading the company nearly 25 years later.
As J.M. Rodgers celebrates 75 years in business, we’re taking the opportunity to recognize the people who have helped shape our company along the way. Few stories reflect that journey quite like Diego Vargas’.
Today, Diego serves as President of J.M. Rodgers, but when he first joined the company nearly 25 years ago, his role looked very different.
After graduating and beginning his career in Boston, Diego was looking for an opportunity that would allow him to build his future in the United States. Through his brother-in-law, who was already working at JMR, he learned about an opening with the company.
At the time, he wasn’t necessarily planning to leave Boston.
“I was actually looking for a job in Boston,” Diego recalled. “But once I met the team, I realized there was an opportunity here.”
What began as a practical career move quickly became something much more.
Starting in IT
Diego joined J.M. Rodgers in an IT role, providing technical support and helping the company strengthen its systems and infrastructure.
“I came in as the computer guy that could solve anything,” he said.
In those early years, his work touched nearly every part of the organization. From troubleshooting day-to-day technology issues to implementing new systems and improving connectivity between offices, Diego developed a unique perspective on how the business operated.
That visibility proved invaluable.
Working across departments gave him insight into the challenges employees faced, the processes that drove results, and the opportunities for improvement throughout the organization.
“That gave me a good view of what people were working on and what made a difference.”
Growing Alongside the Company
As JMR continued to evolve, so did Diego’s responsibilities.
His technical background, combined with a growing understanding of operations, led him into broader leadership roles. He became involved in process improvement initiatives, including efforts related to ISO standards and Six Sigma, helping the company create more efficient and scalable processes.
Over time, his focus expanded beyond technology and into operations, strategy, and business leadership.
His willingness to take on new challenges mirrored one of the qualities he believes has always been part of JMR’s culture: a commitment to doing whatever it takes to move the company forward.
A Career-Defining Moment
One of Diego’s most memorable moments at JMR came during an ordinary conversation on his 10-year anniversary with the company.
“I mentioned it was my 10-year anniversary, and Jamie ( JMR’s CEO) got up, shook my hand, and said, ‘Congratulations, Mr. President.’ That’s when I became President of the company.”
The promotion marked a major milestone in a career that had already seen tremendous growth.
“That was a big change for me because I was the Vice President of Operations and running the entire company, but once I became President, the pressure was on.”
With that new title came greater responsibility for guiding the company, supporting employees, and helping position JMR for future success.
The People Behind JMR
When asked what has kept him at J.M. Rodgers for nearly 25 years, Diego points to the people.
Throughout his career, he has seen firsthand the dedication and commitment of the JMR team.
“They are willing to go that extra mile.”
That culture of teamwork, accountability, and commitment continues to be one of the company’s defining characteristics and a key reason why many employees build long-term careers here.
Looking Ahead
As J.M. Rodgers celebrates 75 years of serving clients and growing its business, leaders like Diego Vargas remind us that our success is built on the contributions of dedicated people who embrace opportunity, adapt to change, and help others succeed.
And when asked about his favorite part of working at JMR after nearly a quarter century, Diego’s answer was simple:
“Every day is special to me.”
We thank Diego for his leadership, dedication, and nearly 25 years of contributions to J.M. Rodgers. His story is an important part of our history, and our future.