Brian Reynoso grew up just down the road, off of Oak Grove Road and in the neighborhood next to The Woodlands. He attended The Palmer School and De La Salle High School, where he was part of the school’s first rugby team. His plan was to become a firefighter. “I loved the idea of serving my community and tackling challenges head on,” says Brian. When he started at St. Mary’s College in Moraga, the weight of student loan debt forced him to rethink his career choice. “I realized I needed a career that offered stability, especially early on, financially, if I wanted to put down roots and build a family in the Bay Area.”
So, he shifted to San Francisco State as a finance major. “I discovered that finance is not just about numbers; it’s about problem-solving, planning for the future, and creating security. Those skills became part of my toolkit in life.”
Brian was motivated to dig himself out of student loan debt so he could give his children the kind of childhood that was not bogged down with worry about paying bills, but instead, which adventure to tackle next. “Every late-night study session, internship, and every role I’ve taken since has been about that goal,” adds Brian. He now works at Cash App, building the life he worked for, and raising his two small children.
Brian Henry is four and loves marble mazes and building domino structures. “Brian is a tiny superstar; he’s memorized multiple Selena songs and the dance moves to go with them. Picture a preschooler belting “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom’ with full dramatic flair…” He can also be found chasing their 5-year-old Labrador Lima with water balloons.
Two-year-old Natalie is a class clown that is always smiling and dancing. She loves her stuffed animals. Brian adds, “She’s fierce, already showing off her athletic genius on the soccer field. And the best part is her determined look that says, “Move over Dad – I’ve got this.’”
Brian is grateful to have his parents nearby who help out with the kids and spend quality time together. He also has a brother and sister who live nearby with lots of cousins for the kids to play with. A deeply meaningful thing the Reynosos do together is cooking. For each holiday they have a special dish like tamales or mole. “What I love most is how it connects different generations of the family together, from grandparent to grandchild. It keeps our history alive.”
Bay Area Sports balance out Brian’s life; he’s a die-hard 49ers and Warriors fan. A fun fact Brian likes to share is that in college he interned for the Raiders and made sure they knew his heart belonged to the red and gold. He also enjoys recreational basketball with friends, trash talk included, of course! And backyard barbeques and games with his family are a summer staple. Brian believes in giving back to the community that “gave me so much” through coaching youth basketball and football.
The Northgate neighborhood attracted Brian for the safety, the schools, and how family-oriented it is. He especially loves seeing all the neighbors getting into the Halloween spirit and looks forward to meeting more neighbors and building connections with the Walnut Acres community.
Brian’s family motto is “Los Reynosos no se rajan – The Reynosos don’t give up.” He is building a life of curiosity and resilience for his kids. “I want to fill their childhood with adventures that teach them to embrace the world boldly – whether it’s playing outdoors, exploring new cities, or simply baking messy cookies on a rainy Sunday. I want them to remember how we lived, not just what we had…the laughter, the ‘let’s figure this out’ moments, and the quiet talks before bed. Long-term, I want them to carry forward the idea that family isn’t about perfection, it’s about showing up, messes and all, and creating joy even when life surprises you.”