Join Big Rich Klein in an engaging conversation with Roger Salazar, a dynamic figure in the off-road community and a member of the California Off Highway Motor Vehicle Commission. In this episode, Roger shares his journey from a small town in California to the bustling political scene of Washington, D.C., and how his love for off-roading has intertwined with his professional life.
Background & Early Life: Roger talks about growing up in Lodi, California, in a blue-collar family with a passion for cars and off-roading. He reflects on his education and how he skipped third grade due to his early academic prowess.
Political Career: Roger outlines his path into politics, including his time as an intern and press secretary at the White House under President Clinton and his role in Al Gore’s presidential campaign.
Off-Road Passion: Roger delves into his deep-rooted love for off-roading, tracing back to his family’s legacy with Jeeps. He shares stories from his adventures on the Rubicon Trail and his involvement with the Sierra Treasure Hunters Off Road Club.
OHV Commission Goals: Roger discusses his ambitions for expanding off-road trails in California and his vision for a continuous trail from the Mexican to the Oregon border. He also mentions the importance of preserving access to iconic off-road areas like Oceano Dunes.
Final Thoughts: Rich and Roger explore the intersection of politics and off-roading, emphasizing the need for thoughtful advocacy and community involvement to ensure future access to public lands. Roger leaves listeners with his commitment to fostering off-road opportunities and preserving the adventurous spirit of the community.
TRANSCRIPT
[00:01:13.270] – Big Rich Klein
My guest this week grew up in a blue collar, hard working family that loved off road. He eventually found his way into politics and now sits on the California Off Highway Motor Vehicle Commission and has lofty goals of opening more trails in California. My guest is Roger Salazar. Hello Roger Salazar. So good to have you on the podcast. I’m really looking forward to this. Known you for a couple of years now and I think we got some good things to talk about.
[00:01:43.010] – Roger Salazar
Well, I appreciate you having me on and it’s always a pleasure to be on and talking to your listeners is going to be, it’s new for me but, but I hopefully we, I can share some stuff that, that is interesting enough for them to keep, to keep listening to me at least on your, on your podcast.
[00:01:59.900] – Big Rich Klein
Yeah, I think so. You know, I really am intrigued by your background and your rise to where you’re at now and then how that ties into the your off road career as well. So.
[00:02:13.020] – Roger Salazar
Sure.
[00:02:13.740] – Big Rich Klein
Let’s get started with the first question question, which is the easiest one for me to ask because I ask everybody where were you born and raised?
[00:02:22.050] – Roger Salazar
Yeah, I was born and raised in the Central Valley in California. Lodi, California is my hometown and you know, the entire Salazar clan moved to the Central Valley in California in the early to mid-50s. They were originally from South Texas. My grandfather on my dad’s side came to this country in the early 19 teens, you know, from Monterrey, Mexico. Settled in, I all settled in the Rio Grande Valley before, you know, eventually moving out to California to, to work in agriculture out here.
[00:02:56.690] – Big Rich Klein
Right. So you’re, you were born in, in Lodi. They came from Texas. And what, what time frame did they come from? From Texas?
[00:03:07.410] – Roger Salazar
Yeah, they came, they came, they moved from Texas, sorry, in the, in the mid, early to mid-1950s. So they’ve been, you know, they’ve settled in the Center Valley, you know, right around 55 or so. I had an uncle who came out earlier and you know, said there’s great opportunity out in California. And it was interestingly, you know, they all started in farm work, but as they sort of, you know, got settled in California, they all, most of my uncles really moved into, into trucking or mechanicking. My dad, you know, was a forklift mechanic. And first of all, he started off as a truck driver and then was a forklift mechanic and then ran his own forklift repair business, you know, up until he retired. So, you know, these were, these were folks who, you know, you know, as young guys in the, in the, in the, in the 50s and 60s, really loved to drag race, really loved cars, really loved off road vehicles and you know, really got into, you know, the, the, the mechanicing and tinkering aspect of it. I think it’s just something that fascinated them. READ MORE
