Alumni Spotlight: Edgar Ortega | Chick-fil-A

From team member to owner 
Edgar Ortega (BBA, ’07) began his Chick-fil-A journey in 2000 as a team member at the Sunland Park Mall location. By 2009, he became the Operator of that same restaurant — the start of a leadership path that today includes Chick-fil-A Mesa Street and Chick-fil-A Desert Blvd. 

A proud UTEP graduate with a double major in business and marketing, Ortega balanced full-time work with a full course load. “The connection between what I learned in class and what I applied at Chick-fil-A prepared me most for leadership,” he said. 

Lessons from UTEP 

• Serving as president of the UTEP American Marketing Association taught him how to lead with clarity and purpose. 

• Ortega credits faculty like Robin Grambling for pushing to see himself as a leader. “She believed in me in a way I had never experienced before — and that still shapes how I lead today,” Ortega said. 

Leadership values 
At the heart of his philosophy is his SHINE framework: 

• Strive for Excellence 

• Heart to Serve 

• Inspire Others 

• Nurture Dreams 

• Exceed Expectations 

“Business success isn’t about systems alone — it’s about people. When your team feels valued, empowered, and supported, they deliver extraordinary results,” he said. 

Advice to students 
“Stop making excuses for what others do or don’t do — own your actions. Every setback is a setup for growth. Progress, not perfection, is the goal.” 

Why giving back matters 
To Ortega, being a Hunt alum means carrying a responsibility to uplift others. “UTEP gave me the foundation to help people SHINE. Giving back is a way to create space for the next generation to discover their potential.”