Val Romero's life journey is more than simply an open book; its pages are filled with stories of love, laughter and lessons learned. He is not the stereotypical 'politician.' And Tucson is better for it.
Family & Upbringing
The oldest of three siblings, Orlando Valencia (Aka Val) Romero, II was born in 1971 to native Tucsonan Orlando Valencia Romero and Heather Devine. As the first born, Val jokes he was the 'Experiment' for their parental inexperience. Wanting their children to have Christian educations, Val's parents enrolled him at Redeemer Lutheran School, and then at Salpointe Catholic High School, where he graduated in 1989. Says Val of his parents' faith, "They gave me a great God-based education, which has helped me on my spiritual journey, and they empowered me to think for myself, be strong in my beliefs, and be loving and kind to people." Val also learned independent thinking and valuable problem-solving skills, and acknowledges his mom and grandfather as being major influencers in his life. Ever gregarious as a young man and convinced he wanted to become a DJ, Val enrolled in the Phoenix Academy-Radio Broadcasting School in 1993, where he concurrently a worked as a Lounge Host at the Black Angus in Tempe and a mobile DJ for Rockin' Robin's DJ Service. When he moved back home to Tucson a year later, he continued to DJ at the Black Angus, then The Bum Steer and worked live broadcast mobile events for the radio station KWFM. After his parents' eventual divorce, Val went to Hawaii where his father was remarried, and came face to face with the Spirit of Aloha. Its literal meaning, 'Presence of breath' or 'Breath of life,' Aloha is a way of living and treating each other with kindness, love and respect. For Val, it is living in harmony, sending and receiving positive energy, and creating positive feelings and thoughts. Val has been single dad to daughter Megan since 2003; herself the proud parent of an adorable 5 year old daughter named Penni, who loves to talk, giggle and draw Crayon pictures for 'Grampa.'
Business
Val began his BBQ journey at Dick's Gas Grills and Lights, first in retail sales and then doing installs and servicing. When Dick sold the business in 2003 and it became Flame Connection, Val realized that the new owner's business vision and his own were not the same. At that point Val decided to go out on his own and eventually began Arizona Grill and Hearth in 2005 based on the foundation of the Philosophy of the Spirit of Aloha, To become a Small Business owner in Tucson and Serve his Communiy. And, one garage, one 400 square foot office, one rented building and Fourteen years later, Arizona Grill and Hearth found its home in 2019, where daughter Megan runs the business while granddaughter Penni keeps Val entertained. Val is often seen at various events around town sporting his well-known, custom-made Elvis outfit. Some may wonder, "Why?" Well, that's another Life story. Ask him about it next time you see Him, he is Happy to tell the Story. From that event, Val is also nationally known as "THE KING" of BBQ" and has the National Trademark.
Giving back to the community
Tucson Back the Blue During a Critical time where there was an obvious division within our Community, Val Supported and was passionate about supporting the Tucson and Surrounding area Law enforcement, and attended many Back the Blue Rallies and in many instances he supplied the food (Free of charge) for the supporters of our Law Enforcement as well as the Law Enforcement that were able to partake in the Festivities. Real Men Wear Pink At just 15 years old, Val's Daughter Megan was diagnosed with a rare cancer called Atypical Fibrous Histio-cytoma in 2008. As a single father, Val was thrust into the world of the unknown as he became Megan's full-time caretaker. When the Real Men Wear Pink organization was looking for community leaders to help raise awareness for their cause, they naturally reached out to Val. He readily jumped on board and has increased his fundraising for them the last 3 years in a row.