Meet Roger Fuentes | Co – Founder

We had the good fortune of connecting with Roger Fuentes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Roger, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Alta Vista Master Builders was founded as a kingdom-driven business. My wife, brother in law and I are firm believers in Jesus Christ, and from the very beginning, our mission has been to build something that ultimately glorifies Him.

We understand that construction is more than building homes — it’s building relationships. Through every project, we have the opportunity to serve our clients with integrity, excellence, and transparency. But beyond that, our business allows us to positively impact everyone involved in the process — subcontractors, designers, architects, engineers, vendors, and even families connected to the projects.

We view our company as a platform for influence. It’s a mission field in its own way — an opportunity to lead with character, treat people fairly, create economic opportunity, and operate with values that reflect faith, stewardship, and service.

At the end of the day, we believe nothing we’ve built would be possible without God’s guidance and provision. We strive to honor Him in how we lead, how we serve, and how we build.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What sets us apart isn’t just what we build — it’s why we build.

Alta Vista Master Builders is driven by faith. At the core of our company is the belief that fear should not dictate your life. Entrepreneurship is risky. Construction is risky. Building something from nothing is risky. And many people never start because they’re afraid to fail.

For me, faith removed that fear.

Through my relationship with Jesus Christ, I’ve learned that when you move in obedience and take steps forward, even when you don’t see the full path, God meets you there. Our business is an example of that. We want our company to be a light — to show others that you can operate with faith, integrity, courage, and excellence at the same time.

Business-wise, my path wasn’t traditional. I didn’t grow up planning to be in construction. I started in the corporate world wearing suits and ties, thinking that was the dream. But something felt capped. I felt like I could see the ceiling of my future, and it didn’t sit well with me.

An opportunity came through my uncle to enter construction. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve made. I didn’t want to leave stability. I didn’t want to start over. But my wife encouraged me to take the leap. I started in the field doing labor. At first, I hated it. I thought I had made a massive mistake.

But I stayed.

Over time, I grew to love the industry — the creativity, the problem-solving, the tangible results of hard work. It’s not easy. Construction is demanding, and entrepreneurship is even more so. But challenges are where growth happens.

I overcame obstacles through faith, prayer, and the right team. My wife and my business partner, Mike, are the people I lean on when decisions are heavy. We make decisions prayerfully, strategically, and together.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is this: don’t say yes to everything. When we started, I didn’t chase every opportunity. I chose direction over desperation. We focused on the type of projects we wanted, the brand we wanted to build, and the level of excellence we wanted to deliver. That discipline shaped our trajectory.

What I want the world to know about our brand and our story is simple:

If a dream is placed in your heart, it’s there for a reason. Don’t let fear stop you from pursuing it. Take the risk. Pray about your decisions. Surround yourself with the right people. And build something meaningful.

At the end of the day, the greatest stories are written when risk is involved. And for me, faith has been the foundation of every chapter.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
At this stage of my life, I’m a husband and a father first. So if my best friend came into town, they’d experience Los Angeles the way my family and I do — centered around food, faith, and the outdoors.

We’re big foodies, so we’d definitely start there. One of our favorite spots is Din Tai Fung — their dumplings are hard to beat. For breakfast, we love Lady Cece’s Café (formerly Cece’s Café) and More Than Waffles in Encino. Breakfast is serious in our house.

If we wanted to dress it up for a top-tier dinner, we’d go to a classic steakhouse like Mastro’s or Ruth’s Chris for a great steak and conversation.

I don’t drink or do nightlife, so you won’t find me at clubs or bars. I’m more of an outdoors person. Ideally, we’d carve out a few days to head up to Yosemite National Park. Renting a cabin, unplugging, hiking, and resetting in nature is one of our favorite ways to recharge as a family.

And of course, if they were visiting over a Saturday, they’d come to church with us. We’re Seventh-day Adventists and observe the Sabbath on Saturday. Our church community is incredibly important to us — it’s full of people who support and encourage one another, and I’d want my friend to experience that.

If you spent a week with me, you’d quickly realize my life revolves around faith, family, good food, and meaningful connection. That’s my version of the best time ever.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, I give all the glory to Jesus Christ. He is the source of my strength, wisdom, and opportunity. Everything we’ve built is only possible because of the life and ability He has given me. My faith is the foundation of both my personal life and our business.

I also want to recognize my wife, Irene. She is truly the foundation of our home and one of the owners of Alta Vista Master Builders. Her strength, wisdom, and steady leadership have been an immense blessing in my life. I couldn’t imagine building this company — or this life — without her.

My brother-in-law and business partner, Mike Serrano, also deserves tremendous credit. He is a co-founder of the company and plays a critical role in our operations. His construction knowledge is deep — I often say his mind is like an encyclopedia when it comes to building. Beyond his expertise, we hold each other accountable in our faith and leadership. It truly takes the three of us working together to make Alta Vista what it is.

Lastly, I’m grateful for my family — my mom, stepdad, aunts, and uncles — who have supported, guided, and encouraged me throughout my life. Their influence has shaped who I am today.

Success is never built alone. It’s built on faith, family, partnership, and the people who pour into you along the way.

Website: https://www.altavistamasterbuilders.com

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