USD Magazine Fall 2021

as a student and an athlete. I worked hard to get to where I was, and I knew that hard work, along with the relationships that I would develop, would get me where I needed to go.” As student-athletes, both Morgan and Rogan were com- mitted to maximizing their potential. As engaged, socially minded citizens, they are also committed to helping others maximize theirs. To that end, they — along with fellow former Torero teammate Brandon Espy ’10 (BA) — co-founded the Aqua Equity Water Co., a nonprofit organization that creates locally sourced mountain spring water and mineral-enriched, electro- lyte-enhanced water products. Their company mantra, “drink good … do good” is more than just a catchphrase; it encapsulates their efforts to create a premium product that directly serves the community it comes from — in this particular case, South Central Los Angeles’ Watts neighbor- hood. A portion of the sale of each Aqua Equity product is channeled to a range of Watts community improvement, em- powerment and entrepreneurship programs. The long-term goal is to create a self-sufficient water bottling plant within the commu- nity so that the entire process of product development is sourced by, and benefits directly, the Watts community and its citizens. “When Ryan came to me with this idea, I loved it and couldn’t wait to support it however I could,” says Espy, who manages the company’s marketing and communications area. “To be a part of something that means so much to the community and something that does good for

Advance Your Career

WITH CONTINUING EDUCATION Always Move Forward. HUNDREDS OF ONLINE COURSES TO CHOOSE FROM pce.sandiego.edu

everyone who buys it … it’s a win-win across the board.”

Aqua Equity co-founders Ryan Morgan ’08 (BBA), Brandon Espy ’10 (BA) and J.T. Rogan ’08 (BBA).

29

Fall 2021