Board Members
Jose R Hernandez (Joe): Treasurer and Fiscal DirectorJoe is a Specialist in Non Profit Management Accounting/Reporting, Installation, Setup and Training of QuickBooks for Non Profits, Expert in Unified Chart of Accounts (UCOA) for Non-Profits Organizations, a Specialist in IRS Compliance for Non Profits, Payroll Processing/Reporting Expert.
After many years of successful management and leadership in a broad spectrum of industries, Joe is currently focusing his skills and attention to serve the Non Profit sector. Extensively experienced and goal-oriented professional, Joe has a demonstrated track record of leading the preparation and analysis of financial reports to summarize and forecast financial position. Has proven expertise in driving efficiency and productivity through evaluation of financial management systems and implementation of process improvements. Has been a talented leader directing highly skilled financial management teams in the support and achievement of overall corporate goals and objectives.
He served in the business communities of Central Florida for several years as a software consultant and business/financial applications developer. From requirements gathering to implementation, has led an extensive number of projects in multi-platform environments. Developed several technology strategies and architectures by setting business direction or providing competitive advantages. With over 20 years experience designing, constructing and maintaining Business, Finance, and Banking Interactive applications has advised to and developed business applications for Companies like: SunTrust Bank, Lockheed Martin, GBS Printing Services (CITI Bank corp), Sea Ray Boat, City of Clearwater (FL), Orange County (FL), City of Orlando (FL), Abilene Health Care System-Abilene Texas, Bank of America (Old Barnett Bank, Nations Bank), Home Shopping Network, MicroBUSINESS Caribbean, Trade Show of the Caribbean, Revlon Corporation, Rorer-Poulanc Pharmaceuticals.
Joe is an active Member of the National Association of Certified Public Bookkeepers, American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers, Community Member of Board of Accountancy Washington State, National Retail Federation, Association For Retail Technology Standards, American Inventory Control Society, Independent Computers Consultant Association, Worldwide Institute of Software Architecture, and Association of Information Technology Professionals.
In the Community Joe is involved in several organizations: Orphan World Foundation for Children (Mentor and Sponsor), Image de Rainier (President and Chair), United Way of King County, Denise Louie Education Center (Seattle) (Finance Committee).
Born in Old San Juan Puerto Rico, Joe served as a pilot in Vietnam with the U.S. Army Aviation from 1967-1970 assigned to the famous “Night Hawks,” a Special Operations Support Unit of the 131st Aviation Co., 12th Aviation Group. Honorably Discharged in 1972, he has received the: Purple Heart Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Distinguished Service Cross, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation and United State Presidential Unit Citation.
José Luis Rodríguez Guerra, Cultural and Artistic Director
Originally from Mexico and resides in Seattle for the past 30 years. He has skillfully advanced the arts in our region with his artwork and as a member of the Seattle Arts Commission (1992-1996), and as a creator, director and founder of the Art Attack/ Alternative Spaces in Boise and Seattle. He has exhibited his artwork in more than 100 art institutions, including national renowned museums, art centers, universities, colleges, and alternative spaces. He has also managed several international exhibitions, including the works of international renowned American Masters, such as abstract painter Sam Francis and Assembly movement sculptors Ed and Nancy Kienholz as well as Mexican Masters Diego Rivera, Siqueiros, Orozco and Rufino Tamayo. Rodriguez worked with the 1% Capital Improvement for the City of Seattle, and was a member responsible for the "Public Art Collection" and the city "Portable Art Collection." He created and introduced, for the first time, 8 exhibitions to the Seattle public "Eyes on Public Art" part of the 30 year old art collection of the city of Seattle Art Commission.
His artwork is monumental and transcends all cultures. He draws on spirituality in his paintings of solemn, lone figures on wooden boxes with rounded edges, making the figures appear almost as if they are in the room.
Sandy Lee Frost: Public Relations Director
Sandy is an online investigative journalist who specializes in nonprofit corruption. Author. U.S. Navy vet. Original shareholder of Ahtna, Inc, an Alaska Native corporation. Peer nominated and presented with Newsvine.com's top honor, Random Act of Vineness. Publisher/Editor/Reporter of the first exclusively online investigation to be featured in Investigative Reporters and Editors Inc. "Extra, Extra" section. She was awarded Honorable Mention by the Society of Professional Journalists at their annual Excellence in Journalism awards banquet on Saturday, June 2, 2007 in Bellevue, Washington. Board of directors, Western Washington Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists and Blue Corn Comics. Member of Investigative Reporters and Editors, Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), Native American Journalists Association and Mohican Veterans. Four-time Society of Professional Journalists award winner.
Csar Hidalgo-Landeros:Publicity Director
Csar is a Member of CCHA since January 2004. Was born in Chile and works as a Video Specialist for the Seattle Police Video Unit. He has experience in Broadcast equipment such as Beta SP, DVC PRO, studio camera configurations, field camera operations, Studio/Field lighting and audio, and all prosumer equipment (SVHS, DV, Hi 8, etc.); Video editing systems: linear and non linear, Media 100, Final Cut Pro, Premiere, Avid; Video and graphic design software: After Effects, Boris FX, PhotoShop, DVD Pro. Streaming media software: Media Cleaner Pro, QuickTime Vr.; Computers: Macintosh, Windows 2000, NT, XP, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
F. Rafael Mendoza, Communications Director:
Rafael was born in Ecuador. He graduated as an Electro-Mechanical Engineer and is currently working as a manager for Intel Corporation. At work he has received several awards for his accomplishments in the design of tools for Validation and Reliability Engineering. He was the President and co-founder of Asociación Club Ecuador (2001 to 2002); Advisory Board Member for two non-profit organizations: Asociación Colombiana (2001-2002) and Cigarra (since 2002). He is one of the founders of Centro Cultural Hispano Americano. He is currently committed to promote the art and culture of Hispanic America. He is currently committed to promote the art and culture of Hispanic America. He created, together with his wife, a scholarship for low-income Hispanic American Youth towards the pursuit of college-level art studies, and also created the “Quimbaya” award to recognize and honor the Hispanic Americans who have contributed significantly to the understanding of the Hispanic American culture through the arts and education, and their achievements in the Northwest. He has collaborated in musical showcases, art exhibits, Fiestas Patrias, Cinco de Mayo, Hispanic Seafair, Torchlight Parade celebrations, and many others. He has been a Master of Ceremonies for different cultural events. Furthermore, he has assisted several organizations become non-profit by helping them with the legal documents.
He also works with the Hispanic community as one of the leaders of the Hispanic Ministry in the Catholic Church, where he is a Liturgist, Assistant to the priest, educates the ministers, and also helps the needy.
M. Nelida Mendoza: President & Executive Director
Nelida has an M.A. in Modern Languages with 20 years' Foreign Language teaching experience; She is a Medical and Legal Interpreter and translator. She is one of the founders of Centro Cultural Hispano Americano and works as the Executive Director. She created, together with her husband, a scholarship for low-income Hispanic American Youth towards the pursuit of college-level art studies, and also created the Quimbaya award to recognize and honor the Hispanic Americans who have contributed significantly to the understanding of the Hispanic American culture through the arts and education, and their achievements in the Northwest."Songs of a Gypsy Soul" is her first poetry book, where she talks about social injustice and the rebellion of the Americas, the search for freedom and love. In Rosario Castellanos: Prophecy of insurrection in Oficio de Tinieblas and Balun Canan, an investigation on the Indians of Mexico, Mendoza portrays the insurrection of the indigenous people from the XVIII century to the XX century, and how they will continue to struggle for peace and justice as long as there are no Human Rights for the marginalized classes. She has participated as a poet and lecturer at International Bookfairs of Guadalajara, Bogot, and New York. In Seattle she has participated as a poet and lecturer at the Rainbow Bookfest. Universidad Catlica in Honduras and La Casa de la Cultura from Ecuador have invited her to participate as a poet.
Her goal at work as a journalist is to promote the Hispanic American arts, culture and history by giving voice to the national, international and local Hispanic American artists and writers through her articles, which have been published in the local Hispanic newspapers, magazines and virtual literary magazines. She has participated as a journalist and poet at Rainbow Bookfest. Nelida is an Art and Literature critic; lecturer on Hispanic American art and culture; editor of Spanish books, book designer and Hispanic American art exhibits curator. She has collaborated in musical showcases, and as a Master of Ceremonies in the Hispanic American Community. Furthermore she is a book designer; an accomplished poetry writer; a painter; and a folkloric dancer.
She has collaborated in many Hispanic American events: Spain in the age of exploration 14921819; (Seattle Art Museum 2004-2005); Four Hundred year celebration of Don Quixote (Seattle Repertory Theater and Seattle Public Library 2005 From the page to the stage); International Womens Day with the University of Washington and the Seattle Public Library; American Sabor: Latinos en la Msica Popular Norteamericana (Experience Music Project 2007-2008); Fiestas Patrias, Cinco de Mayo, Coordinator for Hispanic American participation at the Seattle Seafair celebrations Torchlight Parade (since July 2003); Coordinator for the Hispanic Community for the Latin Baseball Night Tribute at Safeco Field (since July 2004), Coordinator of Flag Parade for Hispanic Seafair Festival; and in charge of searching for the featured artist for the Hispanic Seafair Festival poster; promoter of Hispanic American culture at local companies during Hispanic American Heritage Month (Boeing, Microsoft, Intel Corp., NOAA, etc.).
In the Hispanic Community, she has been instrumental in helping the needy find jobs, housing and food by referring them to the appropriate agencies and appealing on their behalf. She also works with the Hispanic community as the leader of the Hispanic Ministry in the Catholic Church, where she is a Liturgist, Assistant to the priest, educates the ministers, and also helps the needy. Furthermore, she has assisted several organizations become non-profit by helping them with the legal documents.
She is a Board Member of Cigarra (since 2002); Member of Sustainable Seattle Steering Committee; Member of Proyecto Amigos de Martin Chambi (since 2002); Member of Poetas del Mundo, Member of Mujeres del Northwest. She was the co-founder an Advisory Board Member of Asociacin Club Ecuador; Vice-President of Asociacin Colombiana; Member of Mujer Entre Letras, President of Aires Folclricos de Colombia, and dance Member of Llactanchis ( in California).
Manuel Rios: Legal Advisor
ADVISORY BOARD
Michael Creamer:
Is a Senior International Consultant having completed a 15 year career at Microsoft where he held various Senior HR Director positions. Mike has extensive international HR experience, and has developed particular expertise in the Latin America and Asia regions. Mike has a very diverse background in international start-up operations, compensation program development and training, change management, and leadership development. Mike was born and raised in Caracas, Venezuela, watching such Latin Baseball Greats as David Concepcion and Luis Aparicio.Rocio Luquero:
Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology, 1989 at the University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain. Creator, producer and hostess of the weekly radio program A Toda Mujer. Live talk show targeting to represent Latino women as artistic, intelligent and leaders of our society. Co-producer, co-host and writer of the morning radio program Latinos Dias on Radio Sol 1360am (Salem Broadcasting), a radio station for Spanish speakers in the Puget Sound. Writer includes a short novel "Viento del Este, Viento del Oeste, Tu a Filadelfia y yo a Seattle", the short films "Las Flores" (2003) and "Agrralo" (2002); and currently working on the full-length film "Mercedes" (2004). "Las Flores" was accepted at the San Francisco Latino Film Festival Cine Accion. Producer assistant of Citizen , a documentary about the political relevance of the Latino votes on the 2000 elections. Co-producing, writing and on-air talent for a weakly radio show, Caf y Noticias on KXPA 1540am. Creator, writer and producer of the first Spanish language television program (Acentos) on Public Access focusing on the Latino community living in King County.
Conductor of staff meetings, setting agendas, planning programming, organizing marketing and promotions, and successful grant writing. Bilingual communication skills in Spanish and English languages including ability to interact in a positive and productive manner.
She has received two awards: The Seattle Foundation, 2004 -Grant awarded to start up the radio program "A Toda Mujer". The Seattle Foundation, 2001- Grant awarded to continue producing the television program Acentos. She is also a Member of N.A.L.I.P. (National Association of Latino Independent Producers)
Eduardo Mendoca:
A native of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, Eduardo traces his lineage to a royal African family bearing the hereditary title of Mamabeka ("prophet of the royal court"), as documented by the Instituto Geogrfico e Histrico da Bahia. Eduardo Mendoca has lived for the past seven years in the Seattle area. He began his Northwest career as lead vocalist and musical director of the Banda Voou group in Seattle. After that, he traveled throughout the United States and Canada with the Bakra Bata steel drum band. Now, he has his own group known as Show Brazil!, which has gained much recognition in the past year. Show Brazil! has played throughout Western Washington and Brazil at events and locations such as the Folklife Festival, Redmond Arts in the Parks, Taste of Bellevue, Hispanic/Latin Month, Fiestas Patrias, Fall Fandango, Fat Tuesday, Sundiata Festival, World Rhythm Festival, Earth Day Festival, West Seattle Street Festival, Marymoor Heritage Festival, Brazilian Carnaval, Burien Strawberry Festival, Edmonds Festival, Mercado Modlo (Brazil), Itaigara and Piedade Malls (Brazil), and the Catholic University of Salvador (Brazil). Eduardo was also featured at Bumbershoot in Seattle, as guest artist of the internationally well-known performing group OLODUM; the Brazilian Carnival in Vancouver- British Columbia; and at a Nike-sponsored show in Portland, Oregon. The performances listed above are just a part of Eduardo's continued success as a performing artist. He also had the honor to play for Pope John Paul II's welcome to Brazil, former South Africa President Nelson Mandela (Seattle,WA - USA - 1999), Brazilian President Joo Baptista Figueiredo (Brazil 1979), and was also featured in a Paul Simon documentary video in 1991. Eduardo is a voting member of National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences - GRAMMY.
Pam Roach:
B.A., History, 1970, BYU; Teacher Certificate, 1971Senator since 1990 representing King and Pierce County. She is the Government Operations & Elections, Chair; Financial Services, Insurance & Housing; Judiciary; Rules; Ways & Means. Senator Roach is a former KIRO Weekend Radio Show Host. For 16 years, she worked as a legislative assistant and aid to former Senator and King County Council member Kent Pullen who passed away in 2003.
Blanca Santander:
Was born in Peru, and have resided in Seattle, WA. USA in 1996. She is an artist who specializes in children's paintings. She graduated from the Catholic University of Peru with a Degree in Painting and Engraving. She specialized in photography at Interamerican Photo of Peru - Kodak. From 1995 - 2002 Commission artist and free lance illustrator. From 1990 - 1995 she worked in Scenery and costume design for theater. In 1986 - 1995 she did Free lance design and illustration for non-profit international organizations. She has received several prizes: 1991 Honorable mention "Images of Peru" photographic competition sponsored by Union Latina. In 1990 Second place Inter American Photo of Peru. In 1989 First place "Nueva Casa de la Moneda", engraving competition sponsored by the Peruvian Central Reserve Bank national contest. In 1987 Awarded first prize in a national contest to illustrate textbooks for rural children sponsored by FAO HOLAND - INFOR. Her love for art began as a child and has evolved with images and colors from within Per and her feelings and dreams, which are her primary source of artistic inspiration.
Michael J. Warner, Ph. D.:
Thirty-three years experience in museum administrative, fiscal and personnel management, budget preparation, liaison with legislatures, fundraising and grants writing; development and management of a comprehensive statewide technical assistance program; organization and supervision of a state funded capital project grants program; extensive experience with all aspects of museum operations including directing, collections management, exhibition and education planning; involvement with trustees, advisory boards, citizens groups and governmental agencies. Extensive experience with museums and Indian cultural centers providing consultation on education and exhibition programs, all aspects of museum planning, including design development, comprehensive, business, and strategic plans. Teaching and publishing experience in southwest history with an emphasis on Indian history and culture.
Benjamin Arenas:
Was born in Mexico. He has more than 35 years of creative experience in the international field of Architecture, in the environment and urban design in the United States, France and Mexico. He is a member and founder of Arenas & Zepeda Architects, S.C., in Mexico City for commercial and residential architecture. He has been working for the past 14 years in the creation and design of urban public and private projects for the City of Seattle, Washington, DC; including 3 years of development of environmental engineering businesses in Mexico City.
He is fluent in Spanish, English and French. He is currently dedicated to preserve the Mexican art and culture.
Vice-Consul of Spain: Luis Fernando Esteban
Antonio Snchez, Ph.D.
