Alumnus Andrew Baca thought he was destined to become a manager at his father’s car dealership in Belen. But once he began taking computer classes he developed an interest in computers and earned a college degree that led him to become the president and CEO of Abba Technologies, an IT consultant company.

Baca began working at Abba in 1997, where after four years he led an employee buy-out and became the majority owner. Baca’s goal is to continue the growth of Abba and have it become a regional IT company.

In 2006, he was named the Minority Male Entrepreneur of the Year by the U.S. Department of Commerce. He enjoyed the attention it brought not only to him, but also to his company.

“It was great exposure for myself and the company,” Baca said. “And it’s that kind of exposure that will help Abba Technologies grow.”

It was the reputation of the school that drew Baca to New Mexico State University to begin his successful business career.

“It was a good place to go because it would be away from home, but still in the state,” he said.

In 1984, Baca graduated from New Mexico State University with a bachelor’s degree in business computer systems and began to work for IBM in San Jose, Calif., after a successful interview at an engineer recruiting day on campus. He went to the interview in a business suit while many other students wore shorts and sandals.

“Working for IBM was a good experience. My first job was as a computer programmer at the plant site in San Jose. I remember sharing an office with a student who was from Stanford and he didn’t even know where New Mexico was.”

Baca eventually moved to Denver, Colo., and began working for IBM’s sales and marketing. In 1995, he resigned and moved to Albuquerque, where he got his first manager position at a company called Anixter. Two years later he began his career at Abba Technologies.

Baca graduated from Belen High School, and he has a strong private business heritage in which both of his grandfathers owned and operated their own businesses. His father, brother and sister all currently operate Baca Auto Sales in Belen. He credits his success to his parents as they raised him with strong business values and an appreciation for what it takes to be successful in life.

Baca has been married to Celina Trujillo Baca for 22 years and has two children, Pilar, 8, and Roman, 5.