The son of Cuban immigrants, Robert Sanchez grew up in Miami. In addition to having a knack for technical skills, Mr. Sanchez had an entrepreneurial streak. As a young man, he and friends started a small computer company.

After graduate school, Mr. Sanchez joined truck leasing and rental giant Ryder System, but it wasn’t by design. At the time, his wife wanted to return to Miami, and Ryder, which is based here, happened to be recruiting employees.

“My thoughts when I began were that I’ll go work at Ryder for a few years and then find something else,” he said, “but what I found here was completely different. It’s been a great company.”

Mr. Sanchez rose through the company to his current position – Ryder’s No. 2 executive behind CEO and Chairman Gregory Swienton.

Mr. Sanchez used his experience to help Ryder navigate through tough times once the recession hit in late 2008. Today, he said, Ryder is seeing better times.

Mr. Sanchez spoke about his career and the company he helps run with Miami Today staff writer Scott Blake at his office at Ryder’s corporate headquarters in Medley.