Ted Ortiz
Dancer
Look up “local boy” in any dictionary, and you’ll see a picture of Ted Ortiz. Born in Loma Linda and raised in Redlands, Ted has lived here all his life. Ted is a third-generation Redlander, with more than 100 immediate first cousins living in Redlands or close by. With all that support, Ted has an inside track at being successful as one of this year’s DWTS local dancers.
Ted has been a Customer Service Officer at Community Bank in downtown Redlands for 15 years. Before that, he worked at Wells Fargo Bank and started his career working at the San Manuel Indian Bing & Casino.
Prodded by his boss at the bank, Cheryl Mosley, to become one of this year’s dancers, Ted says he’s looking forward to having a good time and raising money to help kids learn about music through the Redlands Symphony’s music education programs. “My biggest hope is to make it through the entire dance routine without falling on my face,” says Ted. “And being challenged to find just the right spot for the mirror ball trophy.”
Ted is a newlywed, having recently married his husband, Tim, about eight months again. They live in Redlands and have a spoiled dog named “Sandy.”
Ted enjoys being outdoors; loves the wilderness, camping, road trips and Yellowstone. He is currently in his fifth year of fundraising for the YMCA’s Annual Sustaining Campaign.