SAN JOSE, Calif. – Mary Quintanar has been hired as the Associate Athletics Director for Human Resources at San Jose State Athletics.
Quintanar brings over 20 years of experience in a variety of roles with increasing scope and responsibility. She most recently served as the director of human resources at the San Jose Marriott, a role she held since 2017. Prior to the Marriott, she spent three years working with Team San Jose, a non-profit management corporation launched in 2004 that operates in the San Jose Convention Center and cultural venues. After a year of serving as a human resources generalist and administration manager, she was named the Associate Director, Human Resources and Leadership Services in June 2016.
Quintanar started her professional career at Hilton San Jose and spent 11 years working in various capacities with the hotel beginning in 2003 as the manager of human resources. She was promoted to Director of Human Resources/Risk Management in 2004 and held the role for 10 years until 2014.
"I've actually been applying to San Jose State since 2014, and I got regret email after regret email, but I kept thinking that if I keep trying I will eventually get in," Quintanar said. "I had the interview and then came in to meet the team, and I am very excited to be working in athletics. I shared the news with my family and everyone has been really supportive. I've been in another industry for 20-plus years, so this is completely different and is a change. My baby graduated high school and now I have all the time in the world to just focus on me, which I'm really excited about and I'm going to start here at San Jose State."
Quintanar, who attended the University of Arizona for two years and finished her career at San Jose State, is a certified Train the Trainer through Hilton Corporation, has a GHS and OSHA Hazardous Communication Certificate and is OSHA 10 and 30 Certified.
GET TO KNOW MARY
Favorite San Jose State Athletics moment or former athlete…
"Jeff Garcia is my favorite Spartan. I have a personal relationship with him and his family, because we are both from Gilroy, a small community. I partnered up with him in high school to help him with curriculum and other things, and once he became a student-athlete here we attended all the games, traveled to the games and kept up with him throughout his career into Canada and into the NFL."
Describe San Jose State in three words or phrases…
"Culturally Aware, Diverse and Inclusive."
Favorite San Jose restaurant…
"Original Joes, always. Chicken piccata every time."
Did you play any sports at the high school or college level?
"I was a swimmer in high school and for two years in college in Arizona. I swam the backstroke. That's my stroke."