Off The Clock – Adrian Rodriquez, BMET, CBET, Intelas
Adrian Rodriguez’s journey reflects a life shaped by music, resilience, and a deep commitment to helping others. A seasoned Tejano musician, Rodriguez spent decades performing alongside renowned artists, including a long-standing collaboration with Shelly Lares that began in 1996. His music career took him across the globe—to Japan, Korea, Guam, China, and throughout the United States—and included contributions to two Grammy Award-nominated recordings. Along the way, he connected with notable musicians from bands like Los Lobos and George Strait’s Ace in the Hole Band. Despite these accomplishments, Rodriguez remains grounded, describing his success as a blessing that exceeded his expectations.
The trajectory of his life shifted through personal tragedy. After marrying his wife Kara in 2013, Rodriguez faced profound loss when she fell ill in 2016 and passed away in 2019. Her illness became a turning point, prompting him to pursue a more stable career path. He returned to school and earned a degree in biomedical engineering, entering the healthcare field just as he was navigating grief and rebuilding his life.
Today, Rodriguez serves as a Team Lead and CBET-certified biomedical equipment technician (BMET) with Intelas. His role allows him to fulfill a purpose rooted in service—maintaining critical medical equipment to support patient care. Inspired by his mother’s example of compassion and service, he sees his work in healthcare as a meaningful way to contribute to humanity.
While his professional focus has shifted, music remains an important part of Rodriguez’s life. Now a “side hustle,” he continues to perform locally with San Antonio-area artists and contributes to recording projects, driven by a passion for connecting with audiences. Though the music industry has evolved dramatically—with declining physical sales and greater reliance on live performances—Rodriguez finds fulfillment in the personal impact of his art. For him, a simple expression of appreciation from a listener is a powerful reminder of music’s ability to uplift and connect people.
In recent years, Rodriguez has also found renewed happiness. He is now engaged to Shari, a speech therapist who has brought new perspective and purpose into his life. Together with their blended family, he embraces a future grounded in faith, love, and service—continuing to balance his dual passions for music and healthcare while honoring the experiences that shaped him.
To read the full spotlight as originally featured in TechNation, click here.
