An astounding Alcatraz journey, shaped by family history and decades of service

Introducing “Notes from the Field,” a series where we highlight stories from our incredible staff members in their unique roles at the Parks Conservancy. This week, we’re featuring Edwin Sera, Alcatraz Cell House Tour Manager and Parks Conservancy staff member for over 30 years. Stories like Edwin's are part of the rich intersection of identities that make up Parks Conservancy's exceptional employees. Here's Edwin's story in his own words:

I am a third generation (Sansei) Japanese American, born and raised in Japan, with a life shaped by both American and Japanese cultures. My parents are both second-generation (Nisei) Japanese Americans born in the United States. My mother was born and raised in Hawaii, and my father was born and raised in Visalia, California, one of six siblings. My grandparents immigrated to the United States in 1920.

I grew up on U.S. military bases in Japan and attended Department of Defense schools at Tachikawa Air Force Base and Yokota Air Force Base. After graduating high school, I moved to California to live with my uncle in Sunnyvale and my aunt in San Francisco. Even though I had visited the United States before, living here was very different and came with a real sense of cultural adjustment.

In 1942, my father and his family were among the more than 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry who were forcibly removed from their homes and placed in 10 U.S. incarceration camps during World War II. Despite that injustice, my father went on to work for the U.S. Air Force Civil Service. My parents met in Japan while working at the same U.S. Air Force base in Haneda AFB, Japan, beginning a partnership rooted in shared history and cross-cultural experiences.

I attended Sierra College in Rocklin, California, where I studied Biology, and later transferred to San Francisco State University. Like many young adults, my path was not a straight line. I enjoyed my independence a little too much, worked various jobs, and school eventually took a back seat. Over the years, I held many different positions, from working in a liquor store to jobs in the corporate world in downtown San Francisco. Each experience taught me something about responsibility, people, and adaptability.

In 1995, I saw a newspaper advertisement for a Visitor Services Representative position with the Conservancy on Alcatraz Island. I applied, interviewed, and that decision marked the beginning of the most meaningful chapter of my professional life. Over the years, I worked my way up from Visitor Services Representative to Supervisor, Assistant Manager, and eventually Manager. I’ve worked with many supervisors, managers, and team members along the way, learning how to lead, taking on new responsibilities, and manage the challenges that come with working with diverse teams and personalities. 

Alcatraz also became personally significant to me because it’s where I met my wife, who was working in the bookstore. What started as a job turned into a long career, a community, and the place where I built lasting relationships and memories.

I consider my work with the Conservancy the most rewarding of my career. There have been ups and downs, and I’ve faced the challenges that come with leadership and managing difficult situations, but those experiences helped me grow both professionally and personally. My journey—shaped by family history, cross-cultural experiences, and decades of service—reflects resilience, growth, and gratitude for the path my life has taken.