Home: Dallas, TX. Age: 49. Birthplace: Brooklyn, NY. Profession: Attorney. Significant other: My wife, Mia Harris Lopez. Alma mater: Seton Hall University (BA); Rutgers University Law School (JD). Languages spoken: English and Spanish (native).
Latest accomplishment: Participant in the Hispanic National Bar Association’s Puente Leadership Institute for 2026. Latest contribution to others: Hispanic Bar Association’s Annual Gala Event planning committee. What’s been your big (or biggest leap)? Returning to the private sector after thirteen years in the public sector. Hobbies: Running, martial arts, movies. Recent travel or adventure: Morocco and staying overnight in the Sahara Desert. Last book read: Beneath a Ruthless Sun, by Gilbert King. Recently viewed and recommended: Peaky Blinders.
Personality profile: Accountable, charismatic, compassionate, hopeful, loyal, pragmatic, optimistic. Moral compass: Do to others what you would have them do to you. How do you define a perfect friendship? Unconditional support, trust, honesty, loyalty, and acceptance while challenging you to be better. What is your greatest joy? Adventures or experiences with my family. What is your greatest fear? Disappointing my family and friends. What is your guilty pleasure? Television, a movie or scrolling through YouTube videos late at night. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Journalists. What is at the top of your bucket list? African safari, viewing icebergs and the wildlife in Argentina or Chile, Galapagos Islands.
What was your first paying job? Designer Greetings, a family-owned greeting card company. What was your favorite childhood toy or game? He-Man and the Masters of the Universe collection. What movie have you repeatedly watched? The Godfather. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? Ronald B. Malone, my Kenpo Karate instructor. What is your go-to source of news and information? The New York Times. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Being awarded the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship at Seton Hall University.
What change would you like to see in the world?
Empathetic towards one another and see the perspective that the other side has.
What widely held belief do you reject? That people achieve success through meritocracy. What mega-trend most excites you? Artificial intelligence. What mega-trend most concerns you? Extreme weather acceleration and resource scarcity.
What title would you choose for the movie about your life? Crossing the Desert. What actor would you choose to play you in the movie about your life? Diego Luna in modern time; Brice Gonzalez as my younger self. Who would you like to spend an evening with, in heaven? My paternal grandfather. As a kid, what did you first want to be when you grew up? A firefighter. How would you choose to spend tomorrow, if you knew it was your last day on earth? With my son, at the beach in El Salvador. What advice would you give your younger self? Stop worrying about what others think and don’t chase things for the money or prestige. What period in your life would you do differently, if you could? My thirties.
Personal mission: Being a good Christian, son, brother, husband, father, and friend. Personal motto: Get busy living or get busy dying. Favorite quote: “Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail” (Ralph Waldo Emerson). Desired epitaph (title): Carlos’s Greatest Hits: A List of His Best Days, Days that took his Breath Away.
