Board of Directors

Juan Vallejos

President

Owner at Bay Hauling LLC

Office: (707) 712-4430

Work Email: juan@bayhauling.net

Email: president@solanohcc.com

Bio

Juan Vallejos

Bio

Leo Callejas

Vice President: Benicia-Vallejo

Owner at DigitalTrack Digital Marketing

Cell: 707-410-0307

Email: info@digitaltrack.co

Bilingual English and Spanish

Bio

Leo Callejas

Leo Callejas was born in Nicaragua and migrated to the United States in 2001. He joined the Army as an infantryman shortly after arriving and did a year-long deployment to Iraq. After coming back, he separated from the military and decided to go to school and join the corporate world.

Leo holds a Bachelor's degree in Computer Network Management and has over 10 years of experience managing technical implementations and projects for financial institutions.

In 2017, he decided to start his own business, DigitalTrack Digital Marketing, a Solano based digital marketing agency. The agency helps locally owned restaurants increase their online presence and attract more customers.

After starting his business, Leo joined the Solano Hispanic Chamber because he saw the potential it had to help him expand his professional network. Leo joined the SHCC board in 2017 and has served multiple roles including president of the board.

Additionally, Leo currently serves as Regional Director for the Northern Region of the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (CHCC).

Francisco Marin

Vice President: Fairfield-Suisun-Rio Vista

Agent, New York Life Insurance Company
CA Insurance License #0M98473

9280 W. Stockton Blvd. Suite 200
Elk Grove Ca, 95758

707-592-5922

Email: fmarin01@ft.newyorklife.com

Bilingual English and Spanish

Bio

Francisco Marin

Bio

Jerry Gonzales

Vice-President Vacaville-Dixon

Business Advocate with PayComapss.

Bilingual English and Spanish

Cell: (510) 725- 2749

Email: jgonzales@paycompass.com

Bio

Jerry Gonzales

As a Business Advocate for Get Beyond, I service Solano, Napa, & Contra Costa Counties with Business Services. Get Beyond focuses on community growth by supporting SMB Markets. We help children with Scholarships with your Partnership.
Our services are: Payroll, Business Lending, POS solutions, Credit card process, Inventory Management, Gateways, Online sales, and Marketing.

As a Board member for Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, My goal is to Advocate for local businesses and local communities to support growth and education. Providing assistance for basic business questions or concerns is one way I support and contribute. Volunteering to raise funds and awareness to causes that need support is my purpose. My reward is the relationships I build.

Kim Castaneda

Treasurer

VP of Development & Communications at Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano.

Bio

Kim Castaneda

Kim Castaneda has lived in Vacaville for over 20 years and has a deep passion for community. Over her 20+ years in Solano, Kim has owned two small businesses, helped bring the first Boys & Girls Club to her town, and sat on different nonprofit Boards, from the Downtown Business Association to small social services nonprofits.

She currently works for the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano as their VP of Development & Communications. Kim’s team creates strategies and builds relationships that advance all aspects of the Food Bank’s resource development work to support the mission of ending hunger in our community. Kim is passionate about giving back to her community, and through resource development, she sees opportunities to inspire and enable others to give back as well.

Kim is a Certified Fundraising Executive, a San Jose State University graduate, and holds a certificate from the University of Notre Dame-Mendoza College of Business Executive Leadership Program.

Marbeya Ellis

Secretary

Family Resources Manager with Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (FSUSD)

Bilingual English and Spanish

Bio

Marbeya Ellis

Marbeya Ellis was raised in Napa, California and later moved to Vacaville, California in the 5th grade where she attended Fairmont Elementary, Vaca Peña Middle School, and Will C. Wood High School.

Marbeya has dedicated the last 11 years working in different capacities in the educational field; acquiring a variety of skills. As a result of her passion, drive, and dedication to service; she has spent
most of her eleven years working directly with families and organizations in the community. Currently, overseeing the Family Resource Centers in Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District. Marbeya strives to continue to provide a safe, accessible place for families and youth to connect with comprehensive and coordinated services that help empower individuals. Services at each center are tailored to the specific needs of the community they serve and support is focused on building upon the strengths of each family and/or individual.

Marbeya serves on numerous committees, including the Equity Steering Committee, with the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District. Marbeya’s goals are to continue to see progress in community services gaps and access to equal opportunities for all individuals.

Marbeya is a dedicated mom, wife, daughter, sister, and friend. She enjoys hosting social gatherings and spending time with family and friends.

Damian Alarcon

Chief Ambassador

Community Relations Director at Travis Credit Union.

Bio

Damian Alarcon

As Travis Credit Union's Director of Community Relations and President of the Travis Credit Union Foundation, Damian Alarcon, is engaged daily in strategically serving his team and TCU by aligning corporate responsibility to community-focused strategic wellness initiatives.

He is known to create effective relationships with external stakeholders, strategic partners, and cross-functional groups to build a more diverse pipeline and advance equity and inclusion at the Travis Credit Union.

Damian has devised and guided the development of an all-community outreach strategy, as well as strategic partnerships with public, private, and nonprofit organizations to expand the DEI strategy and plan to improve community relations. The outcomes of these efforts include financial education accessible to everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status or ethnic background.

Damian's resume includes working for Congressional members, and teaching in South Korea where he produced lesson plans for elementary school children and managed other instructors.
Damian earned his Bachelor’s in Sociology at University of California Santa Barbara. Damian is passionate about volunteering and has been a part of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, United Latino Voices Student Conference, and served as a mentor for the Puente Project at Contra Costa Community College.

Tina Fowler

Parliamentarian

Owner of 3 Bridges Consulting

Email: 3bridges.tina@gmail.com

Cell: 707-373-4701

Bio

Tina Fowler

Tina Fowler was born & raised in Solano County and has lived here continuously ever since. She has been involved in numerous projects, sat on the board of Vallejo Police Activities League, the CF Foundation, Leadership Vallejo, and the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum. She co-owned a small locksmith company for many years and she has worked for the Benicia and Vallejo Chambers. She currently works as a small business consultant helping business owners with the things they either don't know how to do, or simply don't want to.

Yajaira Rubio Machado

Board Member

Owner of Lunitas Kitchen

Bilingual in Spanish.

Bio

Yajaira Rubio Machado

Experience

Party planning and decoration as well as food catering

Sandra Jacobson

Board Member

Republic Services, Municipal Supervisor

Resident of the City of Fairfield. Born in Colombia.

Bilingual English and Spanish

Bio

Sandra Jacobson

Experience

Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 2017 - present Secretary, membership, Assistance with various Chamber events and Mixers.
Fairfield Community Services Foundation. 2018 - present. Coat and Toy Drive Chair.
Solano Library Foundation 2019 - present. Assist with Events.
Soroptimist of Central Solano 2014 - present. Vice-president 2018.

How do you feel SHCC would benefit from your involvement as a Board member?

I have served on the board, and I would like to continue to support the chamber. My involvement with another groups and Fairfield community can benefit SHCC.

Pedro Arroyo

Board Member

Police Sergeant with Fairfield Police Department

Bilingual English and Spanish

Bio

Pedro Arroyo

Experience

Police Sergeant, with a combined experience of 18 years of law enforcement. Serving the Solano community since 2003.

How do you feel SHCC would benefit from your involvement as a Board member?

I am a proud Latino with an extremely hard work ethic. I have served this community for over 17 years and will continue to do so. The Solano Hispanic Chambers of Commerce would benefit by having me serve its board by having a direct resource to the Fairfield Police Department. Many small Hispanic businesses have questions regarding laws and options they can have with their local police department. I can attend forums and translate crucial information to the Hispanic community. No more waiting to get a representative from the local department on basic questions I can answer. I believe the community and police department need to work together. This is a perfect start in a long relationship we can both mutually benefit from.

Please tell us anything else you’d like to share

I’m extremely excited regarding this opportunity. I have been interested with serving on the board for over two years now. A change in leadership has provided an opportunity to allow me to serve and represent the Fairfield Police Department at the same time. In my heart I feel this is a great organization. I know I’ll be a true asset to the board and the Solano Hispanic Chambers of Commerce would truly benefit by having me serve on it. Thank you.

Kim Kersten

Board Member

Owner of Kim Kersten Consulting

Bio

Kim Kersten

Kim has lived in Fairfield for 32 years and has 2 grandkids. Grew up in the Bay Area and can be found swimming laps early in the morning. Currently a member of the Yolo County Farm Bureau and the East Bay BBB.

He is a passionate online marketer/copywriter and is excited with the emergence of Ai as it relates to content development. He helps local businesses with tax credits (ERTC and SETC), a wellness app that empowers the employee and family to manage their own healthcare, social media marketing and the use of promotional videos.

Ravi Shankar

Board Member

Mayoral Candidate bringing Vallejo together | Community Servant Leader | Passionate Volunteer in Vallejo and Solano County Boards & Commissions.

Redwood-Banyan & Vallejo Business Services

Tel: (707) 721-5206

Email: Ravi.PB.Vallejo@gmail.com

Bio

Ravi Shankar

Ravi Shankar is a 21-year resident and taxpayer in the Vallejo community, known as a Community Servant Leader, Passionate Volunteer in Vallejo and Solano County, and Board Member. He actively participates in events and business mixers of the Chambers of Commerce in Solano County's five nonprofits, serving as the designated ambassador of the Library Foundation, Naval Museum, and Sister Cities. Ravi is honored and humbled to have recently joined the Board of the Solano Hispanic Chamber. His local mantra, "Volunteer In & For Vallejo," extends to the other six cities, businesses, and communities of Solano County. He is deeply inspired and motivated by the sign at the County Offices in Fairfield that reads, "We Are the Government, You and I," to serve the community by sharing resources, opportunities, and diversities, which the SHCC exemplifies.

Since 2011-12, Ravi has proactively worked with Sister Cities leaders, envisioning a Vallejo-Ensenada partnership with creative projects in InfoTech, Maritime & Wine Industries, and Environmental & Cultural projects that could boost Vallejo's standing and increase revenue, travel/tourism, and promote peace and collaboration between the two cultures. Serving SHCC offers a wider audience and network for mutual collaboration throughout the county, especially among minorities and immigrant businesses and nonprofits.

Since 2010, Ravi's volunteer work as Commissioner/Board Member includes Participatory Budgeting (PB), Sister Cities (VSCC/VSCA), Vallejo Naval Museum, Solano County Library Foundation, VPD-Chief Advisory, Vallejo School Board-Budget Advisory, and Vallejo Peoples Garden - Community Gardens on Mare Island. He also volunteers at Kyles Temple, St. Vinnies, and Emmanuel Temple, inspiring him to contribute to the St. Vinnies Coalition and Mean Street to Green Street Project in his district. Many passionate Latino/Hispanic friends among these entities could collaborate to boost SHCC's mission.

Ravi frequently speaks at public forums at City Hall and the Solano County Chambers, advocating for accountability and shared resources for the diverse community of small businesses. He participates in justice marches, writes letters to the editors of local news media, and is an active networker and promoter at all five Chambers of Commerce Mixers in the City and County. Ravi is dedicated to promoting the diversity of talents, special resources, and outreach to benefit others and enhance the profile and well-being of county cities and businesses.

Ravi looks forward to continuing his efforts for a better Solano Hispanic Chamber with the help and teamwork of the community.

Board of Directors

Juan Vallejos

Leo Callejas

Francisco Marin

Jerry Gonzales

Kim Castaneda

Marbeya Ellis

Damian Alarcon

Tina Fowler

Yajaira Rubio Machado

Sandra Jacobson

Pedro Arroyo

Kim Kersten

Ravi Shankar

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Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce