Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month With Daves Vargas

September 15 marks Costa Rica’s Independence Day, and it also kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month in the U.S. For us at Power Design, it’s the perfect time to spotlight one of our own whose story comes full circle, from growing up on a coffee farm in Costa Rica, to building his career here in the U.S., and now helping lead PDI’s expansion back into his home country. 

Meet Senior Manager of Global Services Daves Vargas. After almost a decade in the #PDIFamily, he’s found himself at the center of one of our most exciting milestones: helping bridge the gap between the company he’s grown with here in the United States and the community he still calls home in Costa Rica with Power Design Global!  

Growing Up in Costa Rica 

Daves was born and raised in Naranjo, Costa Rica, a small town in the mountains known for its coffee farms and volcanic soil. His family’s farm has been producing coffee for over 50 years, even earning the prestigious Cup of Excellence award for having some of the best beans in the country!  

Taking the Leap to the USA

Thanks to its political stability, strong education system, and highly skilled, bilingual workforce, Costa Rica has long been recognized as a great location for international companies to grow and invest. Those global connections opened doors for Daves early in his career, giving him the chance to work with major organizations before being offered a role in the United States. Taking the leap, he and his wife moved to California to continue his career and grow their family, before eventually finding their way to Tampa.

It was here that Daves discovered Power Design. In 2016, he joined as an IT Field Engineer. Over the years, he advanced through several roles, from supporting field teams in Maryland, to leading digital adoption efforts, and building connections across the company. He didn’t know it at the time, but each step was preparing him for a moment he never expected: helping Power Design expand into his home country.

Coming Full Circle 

When the conversation of growing Power Design internationally was brought to the table, dozens of countries were considered, but Costa Rica quickly rose to the top of the list as the ideal choice for our next chapter.

For Daves, the move couldn’t have been more meaningful. “It wasn’t something I planned,” he said. “But it worked out perfectly. I’m proud to share the opportunities I’ve had here with people back home, and to help build a strong connection between the U.S. and Costa Rica.”

A Story of Proud Heritage and Growth

For Daves, Costa Rica’s Independence Day isn’t just a date on the calendar; it’s a reminder of the pride that comes with freedom, the value of education, and the opportunity to shape your own future. That same spirit is what Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates in the U.S., highlighting the traditions, resilience, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities across the country.

 Independence in Costa Rica is a day about remembering what freedom means and the opportunity to make your own decisions, participate in democracy, and keep growing.

 Being at Power Design, I see now that life prepares you for moments like this. As a believer in God, I know there’s always a purpose, and the sacrifices you make along the way eventually pay off.” 

Daves Vargas | Senior Manager of Global Services

As Power Design Global continues to grow, Daves is proud to honor where he came from, while helping pave the way for what’s next!