Alejandro "Hondo" Gonzalez, MSc, EIT, is set to embark on a new journey with Disney after six impactful years at UCR’s Facilities Services. His last day as an associate energy engineer in the Energy & Engineering unit is December 5, 2025.
Gonzalez began his career at UCR in June 2019 as an intern and rose to a full-time role while completing both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in mechanical engineering at the university. His passion for engineering and technology has led him to fulfill a lifelong dream of joining Disney. He recently accepted the position of control system engineer for their facilities unit, where he will work on electrical smart metering initiatives.
"I’ve always wanted to be a Disney Imagineer," Hondo said, reflecting on his new opportunity. "Getting my foot in the door is an exciting step toward that dream."
During his time at UCR, Gonzalez’s responsibilities have spanned a wide range of tasks, from field assessments with vendors and our maintenance shops to data analysis for the finance team. His primary focus has been on general metering programming, where he oversees over 80 smart meters.
One of Gonzalez’s significant accomplishments includes expanding UCR’s monitoring capabilities from nearly no connected meters to comprehensive coverage for over 25 buildings. This progress has allowed for effective electric monitoring, enabling the university to manage energy consumption and identify infrastructure needs. He stated, “You can’t manage what you don’t monitor. This data has become instrumental in fiscal recovery and planning for future projects.”
Gonzalez valued collaborating with various teams across campus. "The best part about working at UCR is the incredible team and the variety of departments I got to work with," Hondo shared. "I learned so much from my colleagues, especially those in the shops, and exploring solutions together."
Outside of work, Gonzalez shares a love for Disneyland, often enjoying time there with family and friends. He likes video games, particularly "Kingdom Hearts," which resonates with his Disney interests. He and his family are also proud dog owners of three chocolate labs and one corgi.
As he prepares to leave UCR, Gonzalez expresses his gratitude to those who supported him during his journey. "I want to give a shoutout to everyone who helped me learn along the way and to prepare me for this new challenge,” Hondo said.
The Facilities Services team wishes Alejandro "Hondo" Gonzalez the best as he takes on this exciting new role at Disney, following his dreams into the world of magic, engineering, and beyond.
