Jordan Pacheco is a Business Program Manager for a defense contractor in San Diego, CA, where he leads a team that helps manage program data and supports coordination between internal teams and international customers. His role sits at the intersection of operations, compliance, and collaboration, supporting high-visibility programs by keeping complex deliverables organized and on track. He works closely with both internal stakeholders and external clients to ensure alignment, accountability, and consistent results.
“I’ve learned that showing up with consistency and care often makes more impact than having all the answers,” he says.
Jordan earned both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Point Loma Nazarene University. He studied Management and Entrepreneurship with a marketing minor, and later completed his MBA in Project Management. College had always been a major goal in his family. As the first to attend, it held deep significance. But it was a high school youth event at PLNU that turned that goal into something personal. “As soon as I visited, I knew this was where I wanted to be,” he says. “I only applied to one school. I knew I’d found the right place.”
His undergrad experience was full of community, connection, and moments that made a lasting impact. From awkwardly learning to surf freshman year (as one does), to living in the dorms with lifelong friends, to playing intramural soccer and ultimate frisbee, Jordan says it was the people who made PLNU special. “The small class sizes meant professors knew your name, and more than that, they genuinely cared,” he says. He still remembers walking to class one day and running into the Dean, sharing how stressed he was about job hunting. “Next thing I know, I’m in his office and he’s calling an alum who happened to be hiring. That conversation ended up landing me my first job. Looking back, it really set everything else in motion.”
“The small class sizes meant professors knew your name, and more than that, they genuinely cared.”
Jordan pursued his MBA to deepen his leadership skills and broaden his understanding of project management. But just like before, what drew him in was the people. “I wasn’t just looking for another credential. I came back because I knew I’d be surrounded by professors who cared about helping me grow in every area, not just academically.” That experience shaped how he now leads with curiosity, humility, and a focus on developing others. His current work involves leading a team that supports international customers while also providing functional support across multiple departments.
“It might not always look exciting from the outside, but we know it matters. And that’s enough to take it seriously,” he says.
Faith has always played an important role in Jordan’s journey. “It’s what grounds me. It’s why I try to lead with integrity, serve my team well, and keep perspective when things get hard.” He says those values were lived out by his professors, peers, and mentors throughout his time at PLNU, and they continue to influence how he shows up in his career and community today.
Now serving as President of the Fermanian School of Business Alumni Board, Jordan is focused on creating opportunities for alumni to reconnect, collaborate, and give back. When he was first asked to take on the role, he hesitated. “I didn’t have it all figured out. Still don’t,” he admits. “But after some prayer and a conversation with a mentor, I realized this was a chance to give back to the place that’s given so much to me.” He’s quick to acknowledge that building something meaningful takes a team. “We’ve got an incredible group of alumni on the board who have dedicated their time, energy, and ideas to help launch this new chapter. I’m really grateful to work alongside them.” His vision for the alumni community is simple: create space for connection, whether that’s finding a mentor, sharing ideas, building businesses, or trying to learn from other alumni experts in the same field.
“The degree opened doors, but the people opened my eyes to what community, purpose, and calling really look like. That’s the kind of legacy I want to help carry forward.”
The degree opened doors, but the people opened my eyes to what community, purpose, and calling really look like. That’s the kind of legacy I want to help carry forward.”