20 Years, 20 Stories – Hector Padilla: Happy to be Behind the Scenes
For Hector Padilla, a lot of dominoes lined up perfectly that led to career and volunteer decisions that have formed the pattern of his life.
He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin (UT) in 1998 with a degree in physical geography. A few months later, the Honduran native was monitoring aid and relief efforts in the news after Category 5 Hurricane Mitch had torn through Central America. “I realized then that I knew what I wanted to do with my degree.” It inspired not only a career path in geospatial technology, but a spirit of volunteerism as well.
“I saw the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and other agencies using GIS (Geographic Information Systems), aerial mapping, LiDAR and other geospatial technologies to help with recovery and mitigation efforts. I decided to pursue my career and volunteer opportunities where I could use my education,” Hector said. 
In 2006, he received his master’s degree in GIS from Texas State University-San Marcos and completed his Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training program with the City of Austin. The seminal organization that became TEXSAR offered training in 2007 for which Hector signed up, and he has been involved with TEXSAR ever since.
The bridge between working with computers and his involvement with search-and-rescue (SAR) work was, for Hector, the same as for many others in the field: “I loved the outdoors,” he said. “I love being outside and that got me started, but most of my work now is with computer software, using my technical skills. It is an honor when the team asks for my help with maps and geospatial analysis for searches.”
He maintains that whatever skillset someone has, TEXSAR has a way to use it for the benefit of others. “Our work is definitely a team effort, a combination of talents and knowledge that makes a valuable contribution to whatever agency requests our services.” He said that everyone also learns from each other which expands the capabilities of the team and helps bring the members closer together as a unit.
“A lot of what I do now is mapping of search zones and deployment areas. I’ve been told that what I contribute is important to the team and to the missions, and that is all I need. I want to make a difference. I think every TEXSAR member would say that.”
Hector maintains his membership because he appreciates being part of a team that, as a group, helps others. “I realized this was serious work as soon as I joined TEXSAR and saw its relationships with law enforcement agencies and other groups.” Seeing the Texas Rangers’ appreciation and respect for TEXSAR’s help in a criminal investigation in North Texas impressed upon Hector how serious TEXSAR’s work was and how important it was to so many.
“Even when I was not able to help for long periods of time, I always felt welcome when I was able to return. TEXSAR members are there for each other. It is hard to leave an organization with people like that. There is so much talent there, too. TEXSAR provides the ability for people to bring their knowledge and skills to the mission, to help others. These people are absolutely dedicated to helping others.”
Learn more about TEXSAR at www.TEXSAR.org.
TEXSAR: 20 Years, 20 Stories, is a series of people-centric stories that celebrate the history of TEXSAR’s heroics and humanity as its volunteers continue their mission of ‘Texans helping Texans’ with Service above Self. The sequence of stories and profiles will come together in 2024 and 2025, celebrating the nonprofit’s 20th anniversary. To read more, click here.
