ABOUT EARL ROGERS

Earl grew up working on his family's tobacco farm and neighboring small farms, often alongside immigrant workers from Mexico and Central America. Although language barriers existed—Earl spoke no Spanish, and the workers spoke little English—this experience sparked his desire to become fluent in Spanish. He began his language journey in high school, practicing whenever possible, and was encouraged by his Spanish 2 teacher. After earning an Associate's Degree in Agricultural Business Management, Earl worked on a hog farm and became a finishing floor serviceman overseeing multiple farms. His love for Spanish persisted, and he became the go-to serviceman for farms with Spanish-speaking crews, continuously learning from the workers.
At 27, as a farm manager with an all-Hispanic team, Earl committed to becoming fluent in Spanish. With his team’s support, he immersed himself in the language, studying every night and speaking only Spanish on the farm. After a year of dedicated practice, Earl transitioned to work as an Interpreter/Parent Liaison for an elementary school, where he completed all four levels of the state's Healthcare Interpreter Training. He then began to contract as an interpreter for different companies and agencies when school was out, which led to him starting his own company Don Rogelio’s Servicios Latinos, Inc., which he still runs today. 
Earl served as the Migrant Education Recruiter for his county, which connected him with others in the program, including Melissa Bailey, the Migrant Recruiter for a neighboring county and his current Executive Director, Yesenia Cuello at that time a migrant youth. Their continuous collaboration led to years of partnership.
After 23 years as an interpreter and translator, Earl continues to find fulfillment in his work, including serving as the Lead Contract Interpreter for NCFIELD Sembrando Salud. 
While working in Mexico, Earl was affectionately renamed "Rogelio" by locals, a name his clients still use today.