From Midland College graduate to corporate leaderNovember 20, 2023

In a story that is as inspiring as it is remarkable, John Alcala, a Midland native known for his charismatic personality and leadership skills, has risen to the pinnacle of corporate success. As of January 2023, John Alcala was appointed CEO of IT WORKS!, a thriving health and wellness company that reaches 19 countries. IT WORKS! is a privately owned, faith-based company powered by a young, successful group of social media influencers and affiliate marketers. Based in Palmetto, Florida (not far from Sarasota), the IT WORKS! Corporate headquarters overlooks the beautiful Manatee River.

"I was just your typical Midland boy," Alcala said. "I went to Santa Rita Elementary School, Goddard Junior High and then graduated from Midland High School in 2002. I played basketball for the Bulldogs and was honored to be the Homecoming King for our senior class. My favorite places to eat were Jumburrito, Martinez Bakery and Cancun Grill. I wouldn't have traded growing up in Midland for anything!"

After graduating from Midland High School, Alcala continued his education at Midland College earning an associate degree in 2004. He then pursued and obtained a bachelor's degree in Science and Mathematics from the University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB) in 2006. Alcala always thought his path would be to coach basketball and teach math. In 2006, he married his wife of 17 years, Sherilynn. The couple remained in Midland for three years, and John worked for Sprint Nextel, now T-Mobile®.  

In 2009 when John was 25, an investment firm in downtown Dallas hired him, and the couple moved to the Dallas-Ft Worth metroplex. For the next 13 years, John worked his way up the corporate ladder to become a VP, Senior Equity Trader at the firm. He and Sherilynn started their family in Frisco, Texas, and now have a 12-year-old daughter, Josselyn, a 10-year-old daughter, Julianna, and a 5-year-old son, John "JJ" Judah.  

In 2014, a single event would eventually change John's career.

"My wife found this company called IT WORKS! and their premium products on social media," Alcala explained. "Sherilynn became an independent distributor with the company simply to earn more income working from home. It was something she could do while Josselyn was at preschool and Julianna was taking naps. Sherilynn had tremendous success and eventually became one of IT WORKS! top 10 distributors globally!"

Over the next nine years, John said that he traveled with Sherilynn to various sales conferences and met the founder of the company, "Coach" Mark B. Pentecost. 

"We had a lot in common; we both loved basketball; we were both competitive; and we shared our faith in God," Alcala said. 

Pentecost, a former teacher, and basketball coach, worked hard to grow IT WORKS!. That hard work garnered him a massive success and a legend in the industry. In 2022, he decided it was time to step back and look for the next person to lead the company so he could spend more time with his family. Recognizing Alcala's potential and shared values, Pentecost saw in him the perfect candidate to lead IT WORKS! into its next chapter.  In January 2023, Pentecost appointed John as IT WORKS! CEO. 

"Having been around the company for many years, understanding the culture and aligning with its bigger vision of making an impact on people's lives, along with the experience of working with Sherilynn for the previous 9 years, I jumped at the chance to assume the role and bring my skillset and talents to the management side of the company," Alcala explained.

Following the tradition of a family-owned and operated company, Sherilynn Alcala became Head of Field Strategy. Sherilynn is also a former Midland College student who graduated from UTPB in 2008. She is the author of You Can Do Hard Things and a speaker who inspires women to take on challenges and live out their God-given potential. 

Along with John's wife, Alcala's brother Joey, also a former Midlander, was named Vice President of Leadership Development & Gives Back, and Joey's wife Stacey is now Senior Vice President of Field Development.

"It is a great company," John said. "The average age of 80% of our distributors is between 26-30 years of age, and they are from all walks of life. Most utilize IT WORKS! as a side gig to earn extra income for spending, gain some financial breathing room, pay off student loans, etc.  This business is a vehicle to change their lives and the lives of others.

“Faith and family are a massive part of our corporate culture.  When the company began to grow, Mark and his family wholeheartedly believed that we are blessed to be a blessing.  This idea of 'paying it forward' is one of the major reasons I accepted the offer to become CEO. IT WORKS! has given millions to charities that include helping veterans via the Gary Sinise Foundation, anti-human trafficking through Selah Freedom, humanitarian aid with Children's Cup, international crisis response with Samaritan's Purse, pediatric cancer research through the V Foundation and many others that align with the heart of the company."

Alcala said that his family is adjusting to his weekly commute from Texas to Florida, and it also has taught him to be "all-in" at home with his family and be more intentional with his family time.

"My brother and I commute to Florida weekly, and we work there Tuesdays through Thursdays,” he explained “Then we go back to Texas, and I get to enjoy family life, which includes date nights with Sherilynn, coaching Josselyn's 6th-grade basketball team, watching Julianna, who is a competitive gymnast, watching JJ play soccer, and participating in church activities. I love to play pickleball and golf, although there have been fewer hours this year."

As Alcala takes the helm at IT WORKS!, he brings the lessons learned on the hardwood of Midland High School and Chap Center, the classrooms of Midland College and UTPB and the trading floors of Dallas. His story is a testament to the power of hard work, perseverance and the endless possibilities that await those who dare to dream big.

"Midland will always hold a special place in my heart,” he said. “Although I don't visit often anymore, when I do, it still feels like home, especially when I stop at T&T Donuts for a large Dr. Pepper and their awesome ice!"