On Veteran’s Day, we honor the brave men and women who have served our nation. At Ware Malcomb, we are fortunate to have numerous veterans throughout our company who have transitioned from serving our country to helping transform the world around them through architecture, engineering and design. Francisco Arias, Director, Design in our Los Angeles office, shares his inspiring story of growth, transformation, and perseverance.
Early Life and Motivations for Joining the Military
Born in Mexico, Francisco immigrated to the United States at age five. He grew up in South Los Angeles with limited resources and mentorship. At 16, Francisco was no longer living with his parents. Instead, he was living in his own apartment – an attempt by his parents to get him off the streets – attending high school, and not knowing what was to come after school ended. Francisco dreamed of attending college but lacked the resources to do so. He sought a way to access education benefits and joined the U.S. Marine Corps.
Military Experience
Francisco enlisted in September 1995, serving four years on active duty and four years in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) before being fully discharged in 2003. His last duty station was the School of Infantry in Camp Pendleton, where he was responsible for separating Marines from active duty, mentoring Marines, monitoring MIL communication, transporting military prisoners, and providing burial honors.
Interesting cases and complex situations marked Francisco’s military experience. He navigated involuntary separations due to personal, medical, or criminal issues, developing a deeper understanding of people’s stories. Francisco’s experience in the military taught him valuable lessons on honor, courage, commitment, teamwork, and leadership. His separations work taught him the importance of understanding different perspectives and recognizing multiple sides to a story. He applies this in his thought processes in architecture and leadership.
Lessons Learned in the Military
Francisco credits the military with teaching him essential skills that he uses today with his team at Ware Malcomb:
Transition to Architecture
During his time in the military, Francisco realized he wanted to create something positive and give back to his community. After being in the Marines and seeing varying levels of critical infrastructure suffer in war-torn areas of the globe, he realized he wanted to help build future cities. Architecture was the first thing that came to mind, thinking back to childhood and helping his father expand their small home with nothing but determination, wood, and nails. He applied to the University of Southern California (USC) despite being told it wasn’t for someone like him. Francisco proved doubters wrong, graduating valedictorian and beginning his career in architecture.
Passion for Architecture & Giving Back
As Francisco immersed himself in the world of architecture, his passion for construction and design deepened. His drive to enhance and uplift communities became central to his work, with a focus on creating spaces that do more than serve—they engage and enrich the lives of those around them. Today, his work is driven by a commitment to building spaces that not only serve but engage with local communities. An active volunteer with the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Francisco provides architectural guidance to low-income families and mentors young designers, with a special focus on minority students. His goal is to create opportunities for those who, like him, come from underrepresented backgrounds, helping them envision a future in the profession.
Meaning of Veteran’s Day
For Francisco, Veteran’s Day stirs a complex mix of emotions—celebration, joy, sadness, and immense pride in having served and defended his country. It’s a day of reflection, honoring the sacrifices made by himself and his fellow service members. It’s also a time to reconnect with old comrades, sharing memories of brotherhood and the challenges they faced together. Above all, Veteran’s Day is a time of pride—pride in having stood up to serve, in protecting the freedoms we all enjoy, in committing to something greater than oneself, and in carrying forward the values of loyalty, resilience, and service long after leaving the military.
During Francisco’s time in the Marines, Paramount reached out for military liaisons to help the extras in the movie, Rules of Engagement.
Conclusion
Francisco’s journey from Marine to Director of Design is a powerful testament to the resilience, dedication, and capacity for transformation that define so many veterans. His story reminds us that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off—it evolves, often leading to new ways of impacting communities. This Veteran’s Day, we honor not only Francisco’s military service but also the lessons of perseverance and passion that he brings to his work today. His remarkable journey inspires us to recognize the diverse ways veterans continue to serve and shape the world around them. We extend our deepest gratitude to Francisco and all veterans for their unwavering commitment, both to our country and to the communities they continue to uplift.
