Growing up in Fort Myers, FL, Truman Alfaro never anticipated that he would one day be working on hit movies like “High School Musical,” “Descendants,” and “Hocus Pocus” in Los Angeles. After spending 13 years in Hollywood as a producer and production manager, Alfaro has joined the Corporate Training and Professional Education team at USF.
While Alfaro cherished his time in Los Angeles, he and his wife decided to return to Florida to be closer to family. Now, as a corporate and community relations coordinator, Alfaro is bringing his unique perspective and talents to the creative side of sales and marketing projects. His new role includes everything from enhancing the website and managing social media accounts to networking with high-level executives, making him a valuable addition to the team.
“There’s so much that I’m learning and picking up, and there’s no better people to learn from than David Hill, George Boumrad, and the entire CTPE team,” Alfaro said. “Everyone has been incredibly welcoming and so knowledgeable in their roles.”
His favorite project so far has been auditing the CTPE website to evaluate which areas are working well, and which have room for improvement. Alfaro gained experience building websites in high school, continued with it as a hobby in college, and has since consulted with many small businesses.
“I enjoy tweaking, editing, and looking at a problem to see how we can adjust things to fix an issue,” he said.
Educational Background
Alfaro attended the University of Central Florida, where he earned degrees in psychology and mass communication.
“I’ve always been interested in psychology and the human brain, and why people behave the way they do,” he said. “Soft skills are necessary and help you see things from others’ perspectives.”
After graduating with both degrees, he spent a few years working in Fort Myers and then made the cross-country move to Los Angeles.
Working in Entertainment
In Los Angeles, Alfaro secured roles as a producer and production manager with award-winning choreographer and director Kenny Ortega.
Working in production, he spent his days pitching television and film, maintaining a development slate, managing relationships with studios, writers, and creatives, and creatively advising on scripts and projects.
During his time in Hollywood, Alfaro learned to wear many hats and quickly adapt to various projects and skill sets. From coordinating and executing the ceremony for Ortega’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to producing the 25th anniversary special for “Hocus Pocus,” Alfaro knows how to manage complex projects and ensure everything runs smoothly.
Alongside his day job, he also served on the Imagen Foundation board, an organization that supports the inclusion of Latino talent in all aspects of the entertainment industry. In 2022, he was honored as one of Imagen’s Influential Latinos in Media.
Transition to Higher Education
“Due to my experience wearing every possible hat at a production company from being a production assistant to managing the company, I have been in every position,” Alfaro said.
This versatility makes him an excellent addition to the CTPE team.
“I’m someone who can learn a skill quickly and put it into use, which I’ve learned to do daily in this role and my previous positions,” he said.
Alfaro was drawn to USF due to its dedication to innovation and commitment to high-quality education.
“USF has such a focus on the future and technology and where we’re heading as a society, so being on a team that recognizes that benefits everyone,” he said.
Alfaro is excited about the opportunities that lie ahead at USF. As he settles into his new role, there’s no doubt that his unique blend of creativity, technical skills, and adaptability will make a long-lasting impact on USF CTPE, its goals, and the people it serves.