User:Rafaeldagnesses/sandbox

Born in communist Cuba in 1965, Initially arriving in Miami in 1970 and soon there after moving to Los Angeles, Rafael was raised in the area commonly known as Rampart. This of course, by anyone's account is the inner city. He was witness to what gang and drug violence does to communities and families, the removal of the human spirit by government handouts, the excuses created by poverty to continue in poverty. However, he also learned and was inspired by hard working immigrants - that we lived in a amazing country with the freedoms to push forward and succeed in life despite your origins. Never to be envy of those who have achieved success and to push forward with your own dreams and objectives. That here, in this great nation, anything was possible if you are willing to work hard and stay the course. Rafael's life story can be written in a book, however, we have provided you with short bullet points of his path in life.

◾Joined the United States Marine Corps in 1983-last rank E-7 Gunnery Sergeant. ◾Graduated from the Navy-Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center Dam-neck Virginia. ◾Attended California State University Northridge and University of Phoenix. ◾Graduated from the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Academy (Reserve Program) in 1986 ◾Graduated from the Los Angeles Police Academy in 1988. While a Police Officer with the LAPD he worked uniformed patrol at Hollywood, Rampart, Southwest & Northeast Divisions, 3 tours with Narcotics two of them as a under cover narcotics officer and 1 posing as a high-school student. During his tenure with the LAPD he also received approximately 50 commendations from acts of bravery to letters of appreciation from citizens. ◾In 1996 he married Natalie Dagnesses, he has 3 sons. ◾Life long Entrepreneur. ◾Broker - Owner of Quantum Realtors (www.QuantumRealtors.com) a boutique real estate firm. On his second term sitting on the Broker Advisory Board of a Major International Bank, and recently a 2013 recipient of the Top 250 Hispanic Agents Award by the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals. Rafael was part of the top 10 and was number #2 in the nation. ◾Police Technical Advisor on the Emmy Winning Season of "The Shield" ◾Member of the President Ronald Reagan Detachment 597 of the Marine Corps League. ◾Philanthropy: Wounded Warrior, St. Jude's Children's Cancer Research, Operation Smile, Make a Wish Foundation and Boys and Girls Club.