By International Union of Painters and Allied Trades
Twenty-six years ago, Hugo Gutierrez stepped onto a jobsite to cover for a friend visiting his family for two months. Little did Hugo know he would find a career, a brotherhood and a lifelong passion for the floor covering trade.
Today, Hugo is a project manager and foreman for Golden State Contract Flooring and serves on the executive board of District Council 16/Local 12 as a trustee. This position allows him to provide leadership, technician skills and a commitment to mentoring the next generation of installers, all supported by the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades’ (IUPAT) strong community.
“It was supposed to be temporary, but the work hooked me. Two decades later, I’m still here,” Hugo says. Through his work on the jobsite, he learned about the IUPAT and good union jobs through a local representative, and soon after began his apprenticeship. Walking into the training center for the first time, Hugo was immediately struck by the professionalism, emphasis on growth and opportunities to advance. “Our instructor at the time, Dave Marshall, was instrumental in shaping my knowledge in flooring and motivating me to grow.”
Joining the program as a “second period” apprentice, Hugo surpassed the first year and began the second year of his training, receiving more advanced instruction. He quickly completed the program in full. After graduating, he’s watched the curriculum adapt to meet modern demands by incorporating new equipment, technology and teaching. During his time as an apprentice, the most valuable lesson Hugo learned was “Knowing the products you work with, mastering patterns and intricate designs, and tackling custom work with precision.”
The rigorous apprenticeship program prepared Hugo to develop his career even further as he:
- Competed in back-to-back years on the national stage at The International Surface Event (TISE)
- Was hired by flooring tools manufacturer Roberts as a content creator and spokesperson
- Led major projects as foreman/project manager, from residential and commercial spaces to high-profile jobs like Apple Park and Kaiser Oakland
Hugo is fulfilled by his career milestones, such as completing his first project as a third-period apprentice up to becoming a project manager, because he shifted a job opportunity into his lifelong profession. Hugo dedicated his career to our union because he recognizes how IUPAT values and cares for him on and off the jobsite. “The training, the wages, the benefits, the peace of mind knowing my family has healthcare and the security of a good retirement plan–it makes all the difference.”
Many of our members have similar stories to Hugo and join the IUPAT to grow personally and professionally. “Being part of the IUPAT brings pride in belonging to a group of professional tradespeople who want the best for our families,” he says.
Hugo is equally proud of seeing the success of those he has trained, excited to foster the careers and personal growth of his apprentices in just the same way he experienced. “Watching the apprentices I’ve mentored grow into high-quality installers is one of the most rewarding parts.”
Hugo offers advice for the next generation of IUPAT floor coverers:
- Take full advantage of the hands-on training
- Earn every certification you can
- Develop strong work habits
- Be ready to work hard, and never stop learning
Hugo’s career continues to prosper as he leads major projects and gives back to our community by guiding and supporting younger tradesworkers. He also still has his sights set on winning the National Installer of the Year competition at the upcoming TISE event.
From being a short-term fill-in to a respected leader in the floor covering industry, Hugo Gutierrez’s story is a clear example of what happens when skill, mentorship and opportunity align. As he says, “I came for two months—and stayed a lifetime.”
