Interviewer
Samantha Garcia
Project
Stories from the Chamizal Library
Summary of Interview
Carlos Sierra was born in Juarez, Chihuahua in 1958 and moved to El Paso, Texas when he was in the seventh grade. After mastering English in his ESL courses and completing his high school education at Bowie, he continued his education at EPCC and UTEP in business, gaining the knowledge to help his brother effectively run Sierra manufacturing. He has come to value education, continuing personal development outside of formal education and encouraging his own children to pursue bachelors degrees and beyond. Most of the discussion focuses on manufacturing in the Chamizal area, including the work study programs at local high schools Bowie and El Paso high, shifts in company culture regarding the treatment of employees, work processes, the integration of computers into Sierra manufacturing, and small loan programs. The closing of the factory and the programs which supported former employees were also discussed. Sierra also discussed his current endeavor in selling homemade jerky and his thoughts around generative AI in business. Other topics such as sports, homelessness, intergenerational homes, the Joe Rogan podcast, political disillusionment.
Date of Interview
4-22-2026
Length of Interview
1:51:35
Transcript Number
1845
Length of Transcript
35 pages
Transcriber
Samantha Garcia
Interview Number
1845
Terms of Use
Unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Interview with Carlos Sierra by Samantha Garcia, 2026, "Interview No. 1845," Institute of Oral History, University of Texas at El Paso.