Students Learn Skills From Experienced Engineer

Students at Los Fresnos United and Los Fresnos High School have an opportunity to learn engineering from one of the best in the field.

After 39 years in the engineering industry, Los Fresnos native Gil Gomez has returned to share his knowledge with the younger generation.

“There are so many things I want to do,” Gomez said. “I tell the student that I’m here to give you all my knowledge and expertise, and it’s here for you to take. I can help you be successful. That’s my philosophy.”

He worked four years at Union Carbide at the Port of Brownsville as an equipment engineer before a 35-year career at Kemet Corp, one of the world’s leading global supplier of electronic components.

At Kemet, which operates a maquiladora plant in Matamoros, Gomez worked in manufacturing operations, and was involved in maintenance, facilities and project management.

He was a Global Project Manager at Kemet, and supervised a complete manufacturing project construction in the Republic of Macedonia in southeastern Europe. He has traveled around the world, including 30 trips to China.

But after retiring in 2014, he realized he could give back to the community that raised him by shaping the lives of students.

Gomez teaches an elective engineering class at Los Fresnos High School, and two at Los Fresnos United Ninth Grade campus.
Engineering is part of an endorsement at LFU.

During the 83rd legislation session in 2013, House Bill 5 made significant changes to high school graduation requirements. Los Fresnos CISD students who entered the ninth grade in 2014-2015 will graduate under the new Foundation High School Program with one or more endorsements and/or the distinguished level of achievement.

In a recent project, Gomez wanted students to be creative about the concept of making a prothesis using ordinary household materials.
“The students had to make it functionally right, and also aesthetically right to make their design marketable in the field,” Gomez said.

Freshman Adrian Espinoza used cardboard, wood, string, and wire to make the prosthetic claw that would pick up marbles. His claw was more successful than his classmates.

“I want to become an engineer in the auto industry and auto mechanics,” Espinoza said. “I am taking Engineering courses with Mr. Gomez to prepare myself for college.”