THE HEART OF A KING

HOMERO BAYARENA (’86, ’88 M.B.A.)

When Homero Bayarena puts his mind to something, he puts his whole heart into it.

Growing up, Bayarena was told he wasn’t going to succeed in life because of his Mexican American background. But he didn’t listen and continued his education at UNT where he took advantage of all the opportunities presented to him to create the life he always wanted for himself.

He became active in several student organizations, and in 1984, he became the frst ofcial Homecoming king as well as the frst Latino Homecoming king. Bayarena now works for FranklinCovey as a senior consultant specializing in diversity.

“My involvement in so many organizations with diferent kinds of people led me into the world of diversity in business,” he says. “I was able to learn to recognize the value of the human being and have been able to surround myself with people who value each other.”

He also is the founder of one of Maryland’s largest and premier community theaters, which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Bayarena was able to create his own path in life and, ultimately, the impact he has on people and his community has been immensely positive.

“My success stories aren’t about me,” he says. “They are about the people I’ve had a chance to possibly infuence on their journey.”

— Alicia Zartman

"“My success stories aren’t about me. They are about the people I had a chance to possibly infuence on their journey.”