Both men and women book weeks in advance for an appointment with Mauricio Rivero to get the latest and trendiest bobs, pixies or faded barber cuts. But once upon a time, they were lining up to see him on stage as the drummer for Crash Boom Bang. Hair and music have always seemed to fit together naturally, but becoming a hairstylist wasn’t exactly the career Mauricio envisioned when he was jamming out on stage. He was a musician for a decade, touring as a drummer with The Army of Freshmen, before taking his first trip overseas to the UK with the band Bowling for Soup. He has also toured with The Plain White T’s and the Gin Blossoms.
His love for hair began at a show in London. The guys in the band asked him to clean up the back of their hair before a show. Soon after, he was introduced to the apprenticeship program with PR@Partners. “My experience with being a musician and stage performer is what kick started my passion for trendy designer men’s cuts. Now I get to be the stylist I always wanted to go to.” Don’t let Mauricio’s new career fool you into thinking he has stepped out of the spotlight. He now participates in famous hair shows, including London Fashion Week, and enjoys mentoring other young, future stylists as a Cutting Director at PR@Partner’s Academy. Melding his two passions together with style, you’ll never know if Mauricio just walked out of the salon or off stage after a great drum solo.
FAVORITE MUPPET: FOZZIE THE BEAR
RICK MYLLENBECK INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT ADVISOR | NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY CO-OWNER | SONOMA CELLAR
Silicon Valley was in its infancy when Rick Myllenbeck joined the scene, working for tech firms in the early 1980s after serving in the Navy. “Working for Apple in the 80s was epic – no other company I’ve worked for since has come close to that experience. There were innovations being announced every day, the environment for employees was superb, and the energy level was second to none.” After a successful 30+ year career, the Pentagon asked Rick to relocate on a Navy Reserve assignment from California to the East Coast. Three days before leaving, he met his wife while picking up wine. The two knew long distance wasn’t for them, but they remained in close contact and eventually realized they wanted to be together. While living in Alexandria, the couple continued to bond over their love for Sonoma wine tastings and yearned to create a California-inspired wine tasting experience here. This led to the opening of Sonoma Cellar on King Street five years ago. Now, they have the opportunity to share their passion for “New World” wines with Alexandria through their restaurant. But Rick’s desire to bring a bit of California to our local streets
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did not stop at wine. He is also the mastermind behind the Old Town Festival of Speed & Style - a single day event filled with vintage cars, fashion & fun. The part: it all benefits the community. In addition to owning Sonoma Cellar, Rick has “the honor of continuing to serve,” working as the Industry Engagement Advisor for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency where he applies his tech industry background to the benefit of the agency.
