 Barrales identifies as a Mexican American and is recognized as the first Latino person to serve on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors.Barrales has also appeared in the Hispanic Business Magazine's "100 Most Influential Hispanics" list on three occasions within the last ten years

Barrales is the son of Mexican immigrants from Mexico City, Mexico, and was raised in Redwood City, California.His father owned a roofing company.