University of Guam graduate, Joseph ‘Jay’ Leon Guerrero received a degree in business with international hospitality and a concentration in tourism. 

He gives credit to his advisor and mentor, John Salas, saying that Salas had everything to do with the success that Leon Guerrero has accomplished since graduating from UOG. 

Salas was a major influence in Leon Guerrero’s decision to choose the hospitality management route 

“When I got into the hospitality management division, I kicked it into full gear. I moved quickly and I got my degree. I was on the Dean’s List towards the end.”

Leon Guerrero has been working with United Airlines since 1996, back when it was known as Continental Airlines. He has since worked his way up the ranks and is now a system operations representative. “As the ‘middleman’ between everyone within the airlines, this line of work can be demanding, especially during peak hours of traffic within the airport.”

Outside of his main line of work at United, Leon Guerrero also takes time to do freelance writing for Guam Sports Network. He says that continuing to work for GSPN is his outlet for fun. 

His reasoning for choosing this specific line of work is that he wants to help the community and finds great satisfaction in uplifting the athletes on the island. “Sports has always been an avenue…an alternative for not going out and committing crime or doing drugs. Sports is that thing that they do to combat that,” Leon Guerrero shares. 

With GSPN, he has assisted in throwing events such as pre-season tournaments and all-star games, and he has gone overseas to cover local athletes in their respective sports.

Leon Guerrero is part of Guam’s national team for the sport and has gone overseas to compete in international tournaments. In 2019, he earned the title of the highest ranking Guamanian to participate in the Bowling World Cup, placing tenth. He continues to compete in the sport and is planning on attending the Philippine International Open in May.

Driven by his want to elevate young athletes combined with his experience with bowling, Leon Guerrero has proven to be a vital part in the development of a bowling league for the Independent Interscholastic Athletic Association of Guam. 

The IIAAG bowling league is a project that Leon Guerrero is spending a lot of time with. All of the coaching is free and he ensures himself moments with most schools involved to provide as much assistance as he can to young bowlers in the league. 

Many of the athletes are completely new to sports. “They’re finding out that this sport of bowling is something that they can challenge themselves with – mentally and physically.”

To current students at UOG that are interested in his career path or are following a similar degree program to him, Leon Guerrero wants to let you know that there are jobs out there for you! He has continuously seen more jobs opening up and is confident that UOG students have the education to excel in the field.