Our People: Event manager's living the dream

Ruby Santos was born and raised in Sacramento, California. She graduated in 2016 after completing her studies at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. There, she also met her husband, Colin Swanson, who is active duty Air Force. The two married in September 2016 in Sacramento.

Santos started her first job in Clovis at the Clovis Civic Center in a part-time position early this year and within a month was promoted to event manager. She has been described on social media as an event manager by day and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighter by night.

Santos competed in her first MMA fight in Albuquerque in 2014. But she has been an active wrestler for years. She wrestled three years on her high school wrestling team. She has planned, and fought in, her first Clovis MMA in the course of her eight months of employment at the center.

Santos said a lot has happened in her personal and professional life in the past year and it's all been worth it. From the looks of things, she's not slowing down.

What do you like about your job?

I love the team I work with. We're a tight knit group. I get to meet and know a lot of people in the community by working on weddings down to small rotary meetings. I tell people all the time it's my dream job.

What don't you like about your job?

The hardest thing is that I'm always dealing with all types of personalities.

What's your idea of a perfect day?

I'd say it's spending time with family. I don't get to see them as often as I'd like. My mom, dad and aunt are in California and it would be sweet to get to see them a lot more, especially for the holidays, which I love.

How did you end up choosing to go to school in New Mexico?

I went to a Catholic school. I had a very structured upbringing in California. Going to school in Albuquerque wasn't my first choice but I always tell people the small choices you make sometimes have a big impact on your life.

Tell us a story about your childhood.

My grandmother is from Brazil so English was a second language. I spent a lot of time with her growing up and I learned that a lot of the words she said weren't real words. It's funny now, because my husband is an English major and he'll ask me about a word I said, so I'm always explaining. It's a cool childhood memory.

When you were a kid, what did you think you'd be doing as an adult?

I always told my mom I wanted to be a Supreme Court Justice that did hair and nails on the side. She wanted me to be a lawyer, so that was my great compromise at the time.

What's so great about your favorite sport?

So MMA is my favorite sport and I like it because I can access it at any time. I can go to the gym, I can talk to my friends about it and I can watch UFC online. I like that I get to enjoy it everyday.

What's your favorite taste?

I'll have to go with green chile. It used to be Italian food, but now it's green chile with everything.

What's your favorite smell?

Dolce and Gabbana by Dolce and Gabbana.

Who's invited to your fantasy dinner party and why?

My whole family. Johnny Depp will sit next to me and my husband will be on the other side. I'd want Urijah Faber there (retired MMA fighter). I've met him a few times, so he'd know me. Also, my extended family overseas that I rarely get to see.

What's your greatest individual accomplishment?

I volunteered at a crisis center in college. I did over 200 hours on the phone with them and it was one of the most challenging yet rewarding things I've ever done in my life. I got a tattoo to pay homage because the experience made an impact on my life.

— Compiled by CMI Correspondent D'Nieka Hartsfield