ACC Alumni Spotlight: Daniel Girolamo

Arapahoe Community College (ACC) alumnus Daniel Girolamo served as a keynote speaker at the Colorado Space Institute at ACC's “Towards an Aerospace Workforce Strategy” event in February 2026 at the ACC Littleton Campus, providing insight on his personal career path and the importance of preparing today's students to become tomorrow's aerospace workforce.

We spoke with Daniel - a Littleton native - about his progression from ACC student, to master automotive technician, to aerospace systems integration test engineer, and how the Colorado Space Institute at ACC is leveraging collaboration with industry partners to provide innovative aerospace education programs.

Tell us a little bit about yourself

I’ve always had a predisposition for machinery and space. As a kid, I loved taking things apart and putting them back together. By age 10, I was building components for use in construction projects. My passion for machinery continued to develop throughout my high school years at Mullen, and I enrolled in some general education classes at ACC in the fall of 2011. I began ACC's Automotive Service Technology Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program in the spring of 2012 and graduated 2 years later in May 2014.

Tell us about your experience in ACC's Auto Tech program

The automotive program really helped sculpt me into the driven and goal-oriented person I am today. It was incredibly fast paced and held my feet close to the fire. Having teachers like Mr. Tipsword, Mr. Daves, Mr. Yanzito, and most of all, Mr. Viola, was incredibly eye-opening and with every interaction. They all helped me on my path as I grew and figured out what I wanted to do in life. They never steered me wrong and I have the pleasure of joining their ranks and calling them my colleagues and friends.

Outside of Auto Tech, what did you enjoy most about your time as a student at ACC?

With the opportunities that ACC and especially the Auto Tech program offered, I was able to attend student events throughout my time there. I was also able to help other students build a racecar for the automotive department, join in on weekends to learn manufacture training with Honda, play sports with friends and other students.

You received tuition assistance from the Colorado Opportunity Fund (COF; stipends for eligible in-state undergraduate students). How did that help put you in a position to complete your studies at ACC?

COF enabled me to pay for college while I went to school at night and worked at Groove Toyota as a lube tech during the day so that I did not need to take any student loans out. It made it tremendously easier and less stressful once I graduated. Not worrying about making student loan payments let me focus on building my toolsets for my career with Toyota.

Groove Toyota

I was hired as a lube tech at Groove Toyota during my first semester in the Auto Tech program. After I graduated, I became an apprentice and worked my way up through the ranks at Groove, eventually becoming a Toyota Master Diagnostic Technician. I worked at Groove until 2020.

Tell us about your transition from Groove Toyota into the aerospace sector with Lockheed Martin

It was no easy decision to make, I was at the top of my field at Toyota as a Master Diagnostic Tech, and there wasn’t room to keep moving up. My wife really helped me make the choice to decide to branch out. I love space and wanted to work in the aerospace industry but thought I needed to get an engineering degree to do so. My wife and family helped me realize that there were opportunities within aerospace without having to go back to school and wait to apply. My wife is my #1 fan and partner in all of this. She was there for me during the 13 applications that did not pan out, and she was the first to celebrate my 14th application where I was accepted as a technician.

It was a tough transition from Toyota to Lockheed Martin, I took a significant pay decrease which was stressful but stayed focused and determined knowing that it was an initial decrease to move to Lockheed Martin, but that I had the ability to move up with no ceiling in sight. And I have been incredibly happy with how far I have come so far within the company and can’t wait to see where I can keep climbing with dedication and my wife’s support.

You've advanced from Technician Specialist to Senior Systems Integration / Test Engineer with Lockheed. Tell us how programs like the Colorado Space Institute position ACC and other Colorado Community College System (CCCS) institutions to become leaders in developing the next generation of Colorado’s aerospace workforce?

Programs like you're describing (the Colorado Space Institute) can help students streamline their career to the aerospace industry. It took me a long time to get to where I am and it was a lot of hard work that helped me, especially while I was figuring out what I wanted to do. But for those who already have a good idea of their career or where they want to be this can help them get into the industry much faster.

You also hold Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Master Certification, so let's not forget about your current connection to the ACC Auto Tech program as an adjunct instructor. When did you begin teaching at ACC, and what is the most rewarding aspect of working with ACC Auto Tech students?

I started as a tool room attendant 11 years ago to make a little extra during the evenings. I helped build the computers and harnesses for the LS engines the students use for Engine Rebuild class and was offered an adjunct teaching position for the night classes after 2 years of being a toolroom attendant. I was incredibly nervous to teach my first class but luckily had great mentors to help me prepare as much as I could. Nine years later I still find myself loving what I do at night with the other adjunct instructors; helping the new era of experts in the automotive industry. It can be long days and a bit grueling at times going from Lockheed during the day to ACC at night, but I truly enjoy being able to work with the students and help them build their careers.

What's the biggest difference between today's ACC Auto Tech program and the program from which you graduated a dozen years ago?

Today’s Automotive Program is quite different compared to when I was going through it. During my interview with the director of the program at the time, I was told that I needed to have a job in the automotive industry by the end of my first semester, and not trying to date myself but we also had to turn in homework every evening. Class was also Monday through Friday instead of now where it’s Monday through Wednesday for 2nd year evening students and Monday through Thursday for 1st year evening students. With today’s updates in the school system, we are able to accommodate with asynchronous work for the students to work on outside of class while still being able to maintain credit hours and give them more hands-on experience in the labs when they are at the school. Students are now also able to turn in homework, assignments, and take their tests online which makes it a bit easier for both the students and the teachers.

What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time when you're not busy with electrical system diagnostics, mechanical engineering, and hypersonic technology?

I really love cooking for my wife and family, I also love working on my project cars when the weather is nice, and spending quality time with my wife and our pets. 

I always loved to cook, and I would watch my dad and help as much as I could when I was little but wasn’t very good at it for a long time. After my wife and I got married we went to visit my family in Italy where we spent a lot of time helping my Padrina Lucia and Padrino Cosimo on the farm and in the kitchen, where I was able to watch and learn from my Padrina Lucia. Once we got back from Italy, I started trying to recreate my Padrina’s recipes and I have just started to bring my love of cooking and making new things more and more every day, and I love seeing my wife’s reaction to my food when I try new things and I see how much she likes it! I even enjoy cooking for my students at the end of the semester as a little gift for them if they have been good and done well with their work and in labs.

What advice might you provide for aspiring aerospace professionals?

Never let any doubts stand in the way of what you want to do and where you want to go. I faced many hurdles, obstacles, and doubts getting into the aerospace and defense industry. I still face stigmas of not having a “4 year degree” occasionally, and I remain steadfast in showing that I have earned where I am and where I want to go in my future.

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