Team Spotlight: Moises Rocha

Moises Rocha has been a union laborer for 24 years, but the Obama Presidential Center project still represents a number of firsts in his career — including his first-ever project from the “ground up.” He is one of only a few team members who has been on the job since day one.

Originally born in Mexico, Moises has been a Chicago resident since he was six months old. He cherishes opportunities to expose his children to his work on the Center through Lakeside Alliance’s Learning with Lakeside Alliance and Who Builds the World? GIRLS! programming.

Read on to learn about Moises’ work on site, his advice for those considering a career in the trades and more!

What work do you perform on the Obama Presidential Center project?

I’m responsible for helping maintain the job site so the trades can do their work. Whether it’s managing water maintenance when it’s raining, removing snow during a winter storm or cleaning up rubbish on the ground, we keep everything nice and tidy. We are also tasked with general site safety, including fall protection and ensuring everyone is wearing proper PPE. Everyone on the staff is great and supports our work. They call me the MacGyver onsite because I’m always coming up with ideas to make things easier, faster and better!

What advice would you give someone who is seeking a career in the trades?

Be open-minded and try not to take everything to heart. Not everyone communicates in the same way – some people have filters, and some don’t. I’ve seen some good people leave great opportunities because they thought their way was the only way, and they weren’t open to trying something new and evolving.

Tell us about how you got your children involved in this project.

It’s typically hard to bring your kids to work with you if you’re in the trades, but on this project, they have had the opportunity to see the site and what my work means. My son, who is now 20, participated in the picnic table event with the carpenters in 2022. My two girls, who are now 11 and 9, took part in the Who Builds the World? GIRLS! day in 2023. They loved all the activities, and they still wear those shirts!

What does it mean to you to be a part of the Obama Presidential Center project?

We’re helping build part of President Obama’s legacy, and I’m also having the opportunity to leave a legacy in my kids’ hearts. They will get to visit the Center one day, bring their kids there and say, “Oh, my dad helped build that! My dad took me there!”

What is something special about Lakeside Alliance and #TeamOPC?

Everyone really cares. In the end, we’ve turned into a big, blended family.