Carlos Urbina proudly served in the U.S. Navy, completing two deployments to Afghanistan (2009-2010, 2011-2012). He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal for saving the life of an Afghan Border Policeman under challenging circumstances, where his interpreter fainted and Carlos had to communicate without assistance during an emergency medical evacuation.
After his time in the Navy, Carlos pursued further education and discovered an opportunity to become a Wildland Firefighter. This role allowed him to experience the raw and beautiful landscapes of California, while also utilizing his trauma medical skills on the front lines of wildland fires.
Carlos’s journey in wildland firefighting eventually led him to the mortgage industry. His curiosity about home mortgages evolved into a passion, guiding him into a professional career in the field. Now, he has the pleasure of helping people across California find their dream homes at the best deals and rates.
About Carlos Urbina
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
My parents are immigrants from Nicaragua.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
My current passion and career is in real estate as a mortgage broker. I transitioned into this role after my back was severely injured, making it impossible to continue as a hotshot firefighter. I started in the mortgage industry in 2021. I am currently working on scaling to the next level by hiring another loan officer to handle all the loan structuring, allowing me to focus on sales and relationship building. What I truly love is helping people secure loans they thought were impossible due to misconceptions or bad information.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
To learn something from everyone you meet, everyday rookie mindset.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
In 5 to 10 years, I see myself running a non-profit boxing gym, operated through whichever police academy allows me to use their facilities. My goal is to provide a free gym for children, leveraging police academy resources. Why? Because there are many sad, misguided children out there. I see it every day when I drop off my daughter at school and through conversations with teachers about children who don’t eat dinner and lack a parent to smile at them and show them love. I am determined to have this operation up and running within 10 years.
Carlos Urbina & Our Community
Q: What are a few of your favorite restaurants in our community?
There are so many great places! I can usually answer most questions quickly and without much hesitation, but this is a tough one. After a couple of minutes of thought, here are my top picks: The Crack Shack, Hodad’s, OB Noodle House, Peterson’s Donuts, and The Lighthouse Ice Cream.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I was first stationed in San Diego in 2011 and have never left. I was picked up by the US Forest Service as a wildland firefighter, protecting California’s beautiful national forests and sometimes serving nationwide.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Wow, I can’t answer that; you’re incriminating me, lol! Just kidding. Everyone has stood out individually in their own element. Everyone is succeeding in mastering and owning their craft, relentlessly pursuing perfection. In reality, what truly defines someone as interesting is a tough question.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Apache Mortgage Inc
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
The absolute passion for helping not just one specific community, but every community within reach, regardless of color, race, or gender, without a moment’s hesitation, is truly unique. In a world so focused on differences, this approach stands out, especially when we face a homelessness crisis and cuts to teachers’ budgets.
Q: If you could choose anyone alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would you meet for this lunch?
I can’t name one, my deepest apologies, but If I were to have lunch with people some very interesting people, I would choose, Epictitus and Fredrick Douglass. I would take them to Marisco’s German Sea Food off of 47th St.
For Fun
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
The Office and Parks and Reacreation.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I was a band geek.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Perfection with no room for error, whether achieved through sheer strategy or exploiting competitor mistakes, is something most people chase endlessly.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My daughter, I want her to be a good person. If I am not striving to be the best version of myself, how can I ask her to do the same? My daughter is my why.
Q: What community organizations and/or local nonprofits do you admire/support?
Young Black & N’ Business relentlessly showed support and demonstrated a business practice that is completely admirable and unmatched.
Q: What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
To look at others through their eyes and not just my own.
Q: What Neighborhood do you live in?
Escondido
What I love about my Neighborhood:
The beauty of San Diego is that almost every neighborhood is interconnected in one way or another. Although we are in tough times, at heart, every San Diegan will extend a helping hand, which is what makes San Diego truly special.
Please describe your ideal San Diego weekend:
Hodad’s on a Friday night, followed by a walk to Lighthouse Ice Cream for a vanilla ice cream waffle sandwich, and ending with some good live music in the Gaslamp.
Q: Finally, what three words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Love, Friendship, Legacy
