Abdon “AJ” Orrostieta - Consultant

Abdon “AJ” Orrostieta is known for quickly getting up to speed on complex projects and his lightning-fast turnaround of deliverables. When he’s not supporting the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Care Network (CCN), you can probably find the Orlando resident at – where else? – one of the Disney theme parks! He also participates in a book club centered on financial literacy.

How do you find purpose in your role?

I find purpose in making a difference both on my team and at the national level. I am on a great team that supports the CCN, which gives veterans access to healthcare outside VA. Our work impacts the lives of millions of veterans. While attending the Orlando VA Healthcare System’s 14th Annual VA Pride Month Celebration in June, I got to meet veterans who told me they are thankful for the work that Tria does in support of VA.

I also find it fulfilling to mentor team members and help Tria’s recruiters identify new talent whenever possible. I want to continue being someone who my peers can go to for help and questions they may have to help them be better consultants. I want everyone around me to succeed.

How do you collaborate with coworkers?

We communicate with each other and anticipate each other’s needs. We lean on one another’s strengths and back each other up to fill in the gaps whenever possible. Additionally, we practice active listening and inclusion to make sure everyone is heard. We also celebrate each other’s wins, giving kudos to each other for hard-earned achievements.

Tell us a bit about your doctoral program?

I’m entering the final stretch of a fully remote doctoral program at California Intercontinental University. I’m studying business administration with a focus on healthcare administration. The knowledge I’ve gained in school has helped make me a better consultant for our clients, and I’ve been able to apply concepts from areas such as risk management and change management to my role.

What do you do in your free time?

I like to go out and enjoy the hot Florida weather and sit by the pool or go to one of the Disney parks! I used to dislike them; rollercoasters are not my thing. But at a friend’s urging, I gave it a chance, and now I am a season pass holder. Every time I go, I feel happy, excited and nostalgic. It is so fun to watch the fireworks at night. I met Cinderella, and I was like, how am I getting teary-eyed? I am 32 years old. But they create moments like that.

Also, some friends and I formed a book club centered on personal finance. We meet up every weekend and discuss what we’ve learned over tea. The group consists of very successful people, including a pilot, a physician and a lawyer. But we didn’t grow up in homes with financial literacy, so we are taking it upon ourselves to learn about how to improve our credit scores, save for retirement and save up to buy homes. We don’t want to have to work into our 70s due to poor financial decisions.

Is there anything that people might be surprised to learn about you?

I grew up speaking three languages at home: English, Arabic and Spanish. I also took courses in French, German, and Portuguese!

I am an advocate for the prevention of infectious diseases in minority communities. I occasionally give talks around the country on strategies to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases.