EXECUTIVE STAFF:
Alex Ontivero | Publisher & CEO
I was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico in 1966 and immigrated to the United State with my family at the age of six.
I have the genuine and sincere desire to help individuals from disenfranchised communities, and demonstrate this passion through my professional career and by volunteering over the past 18 years.
I graduated from San Jose State University with a degree in Communication and Spanish, enabling my exemplary career where I have held a variety of executive and management positions focusing on empowering individuals and the community. Additionally, I am the founder of the California Hispanic Professional Association (ChispPA), an all-inclusive non-profit professionals’ association whose mission is to empower its community in the areas of educational, professional and community development – www.chisppa.com. Through CHispPA and PMAA, I successfully spearheaded fund development efforts since 1995 and raised well over $180,000 which was awarded to over 100 under-served Latino students through scholarships.
I held various board and committee positions with numerous top tier community-based and corporate organizations such as the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley, The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Silicon Valley, the Greater San Jose Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Citigroup Hispanic Heritage Network.
I am also a proud recipient of: the 2010 Gene Young Award for Outstanding Individual Community Service awarded by the African American Community Services Agency; a 2009 Top 10 Most Influential Latinos of Silicon Valley – Civic Leadership Award; a Certificate of Special Recognition from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI); a Resolution of Commendation from Santa Clara County Supervisors; and a two time recipient of the U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award (from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Partnership) during the G.W. Bush Administration.
Jose Posadas | Co-Publisher & COO
My background runs the gamut of marketing, communications, fundraising, event planning, public policy research and advocacy.
A lifelong resident of San Jose, I also have a home in Mexico where I travel yearly to write and explore. I consider myself a creative person at heart and believe that the greatness of a nation is derived by the greatness of its people.
As former co-founder of Downtown Magazine, I hope to build Silicon Valley Latino magazine into a well known and influential media content provider.
Sergio Domeyko | Social-Media Director
I was born in Santiago, Chile and immigrated with my parents at a very young age to Sunnyvale, Calif.
I am an entrepreneur at heart with a supportive personality for new businesses and crazy ideas. This kind of spirit has taken me to work from the banking industry in corporate America to a family owned business back in Chile for eight years in the agricultural and timber industries, then back to the USA. Along these travels I picked up experiences ranging from a foreign owned small business in the timber industry to real time location based mobile and social media strategies, and management to business financing. I have a strong desire to achieve and drive success in new businesses!
I am a graduate of the University of San Francisco, currently am a Board Member & VP of Social Media for CHispPA, Managing Member of DGN Consulting Group, LLC., and a past board member of Greater San Jose Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Carlos Perez | Creative Director
Born in Mexico City, later moving to the United States, Carlos was a product of the 60′s Chicano Student Movement, he considers community-building through the arts as central to his life as a creative professional, and works consistently with South Bay non-profits and arts organizations to connect art to the communities it serves. He hopes this will help “foster a cultural climate where creative thinkers are treated as professionals with equal credentials and not as third class citizens.” In such partnerships, he sees the importance of technology and abstract ideas, but he emphasizes the role of individual creativity.
In 1977, Pérez and Rob Janoff were colleagues at Regis McKenna. Janoff designed the Apple mark, while Pérez created its initial rendering and master artwork. Pérez also rendered the typographical solutions that would accompany the Apple logo brand, designed and art directed the first Apple newsletter, created the masthead and co-designed the first Apple magazine. He inked all of this by hand, relying on his mastery of drafting and illustration techniques, because the hardware and applications now ubiquitous in the realm of graphic design simply did not yet exist.
INTERNS:
Patricia Ruiz | Intern: Photographer/Writer
I am an aspiring Photojournalist pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Studies at The National Hispanic University and is a the first recipient of the prestigious Elena Poniatowska Civic Leadership Scholarship and Resident Student Reporter at KCNL 104.9 International Radio under the direction of Celina Rodriguez.
After a creative collaboration with Bay Area Artist and Writer Scape Martinez, my work was featured in Graff 2: Next Level Graffiti Techniques. I am working on my first photo exhibit to be featured in the Bay Area.
I aspire to serve my community by entering the field of Journalism & Communication and see the access of quality information as the key to greater progress in society. In my limited spare time I enjoy walks, a good cup of coffee, and spending time with family.
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS:
Eydie Mendoza | Contributing Writer on Arts & Cinema
My outlook and philosophy on life embrace the never ending process of communicating, educating and writing. I am a “Yes” person and use my management, creative, technical, and customer excellence skills in order to provide appropriate productions and services. My professional and educational history has always involved an emphasis on communicating with diverse and multicultural populations. I am also an award winning journalist by way of writing and photography
Diana Estrada | Contributing Media Host
I am a positive role-model, guest lecturer and Success bizCoach for aspiring and emerging CREATIVE and Soulful Entrepreneurs by day.
A big passion of mine is being a motivational speaker to empower WoMen to BE, to KNOW and LIVE RAW (Rich Authentic Worthy).
Mia Perez | Contributing Media Host
Mia Perez grew up in the scenic San Francisco Bay Area, where art and culture thrive, after years in business and real estate she finally gave in to her true calling in life to pursue a career in the arts and entertainment industry, working professionally as an actress and model.
Becky Tyner Sandoval | Contributing Writer on Wine
Becky, Co Founder of www.VinoLatinoWineClub.com, has spent most of her life in Napa, California. She has worked in the wine industry for 15 years. In 2009 she started her own business when she launched Small Lots Big Wines, a wine club that focuses on small boutique producers. In 2010 Becky and her best friend, Rebecca Johnson, used the contacts Becky had made from Small Lots Big Wines to start Small Lot Wine Tours, a tour company that also focuses on small boutique producers in Napa and Sonoma.
Becky enjoys sharing her 15 years of wine experience with new and budding wine drinkers. On the tours and in Vino Latino’s in-home wine tastings, she not only tells the story about the wine but does wine education answering all questions from the basics to the complex
Eileen Castro-Peretz | Contributing Writer on Beauty
I am the owner and operator of Eileen’s Skin Care for over 12 years. With a previous background of 10 years in Accounting Management in High Tech, the transition for me to a Spa Therapist was easy, since an emphasis on customer service and relations is vital!
I am a member of The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and I-network business leads group.
My business is currently located in a full service salon in lovely Willow Glen, where I offer a wide array of skin care services including many different types of facials for all skin conditions; basic facials, as well as more intense types like microdermabrasion, and chemical peels.
I keep up with the latest in skin care technology by continued education, which is very important in this industry. I also offer many therapeutic and stress relieving body treatments & all types of body waxing (hair removal).
What makes my business unique is the type of Spa experience I provide my clients because I offer complete personal attention.
For more information visit: http://www.eileenskincare.com
Angel V. Chavez | Contributing Writer on Finance
Executive Financial Services Director, Wealth Management
As a holder of the prestigious Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) designation from the Haas School of Business at the University of California at Berkeley, I am the El Camino Group’s senior equity portfolio manager and financial planning specialist at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney.
After graduating from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business and Finance, I went on to receive my MBA with a concentration in Finance from Golden Gate University.
Prior to joining Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, I gained broad experience, first as the Chief Operating Officer of a tech firm in the San Francisco Bay Area, and later as a portfolio manager, with cross-training in tax, trust and estate planning with Bank of America’s Private Bank. I then helped to start the investment management group in San Francisco for First Republic Bank, Trainer Wortham, and later established The Chavez Group at Merrill Lynch.
Growing up in San Francisco, I lived with my grandmother, who instilled in me the value of saving and higher education and she helped me land my first job at Candlestick Park when I was 14. Over the years, I have acquired the financial knowledge and experience necessary to create customized financial solutions designed to help my clients achieve financial independence.
Among my specialties are helping executives deal with restricted stock options, using trusts to protect assets, tax minimization strategies, deferred compensation plans and creating investment strategies that reduce volatility.
I firmly believe in community service, and I am an active Board member of Juma Ventures and former Trustee of the Latino Community Foundation, as well as past Board member of the Greater San Jose Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. I was also an advisor to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer and was selected to serve on the committee for the United States-Mexico Foundation for the Advancement of Science.
When not working, I enjoy playing basketball, golf and coaching my children in soccer and basketball, along with swimming, camping and bike riding. My wife and I live in the East Bay with our son and daughter.
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice.
Erik Garcia | Contributing Writer on Fitness
I began my athletic career as a 6 years old child, beginning with Basketball and Baseball and then Football when he was 9 years old. I continued my athletic endeavors into high school where I lettered in Football and as a high school senior; I earned all West Catholic Athletic League honors at Bellarmine Bellarmine College Preparatory.
I was a linebacker for the San Jose State University football team, however, after two years decided to focus on school.
I got involved in endurance sports and completed my first triathlon with Team-in-Training in 2006. Even without a background in long distance swimming, cycling, or running I was completed my first race with a smile. Four years later, I obtained a National Association of Sports Medicine Personal Training Certification and became a competitive Age Group Triathlete with consistent top 5 finishes.
My passion is fitness and living a healthy lifestyle, so I enjoy sharing my passion with my clients while assisting them in attaining all of their fitness goals.
Whether you just want to get in shape, want to do a triathlon, or even run a marathon, I will get you there.
Certifications:
- National Association of Sports Medicine
- CrossFit Level I
- TRX Suspension Training
- Combine360 Powered by Under Armour
- Precision Nutrition – Coming Soon
For more information visit: http://www.redlineendurance.com
Maria G. Hernandez, Ph.D. | Contributing Writer on Business
I live in the Bay Area and have consulted to Fortune 100 companies, nonprofits, elected officials and public agencies for the past 20 years.
To contact her and read more about all her work by visiting her website www.mariaghernandez.com.
Elizabeth Luna | Contributing Writer on Finance
President of CONCERT Global Group, Ltd.
I am founder and Vice President of CONCERT Wealth Management, a company dedicated to serving high net worth individuals and business owners, and a part of the CONCERT Global Group, Ltd family of companies. I am also a Financial Advisor with CONCERT Wealth Management.
I have successfully completed the Series 65 exam and am a licensed California Real Estate Broker and earned a B.S. degree in Political Science and Spanish fromSanta ClaraUniversity.
I currently serve on the Development Committee of the non-profit The Family Giving Tree, and was also a past President of the St. Clare Parent Teacher Council.
For more information contact: Elizabeth.Luna@concertadvisorservices.com
CONCERT Global Group, Ltd., 1871 The Alameda, Suite 350-San Jose, CA 95126 | Tel: 408-8566014 | Fax: 408-200-0370
Michelle Siprut| Contributing Writer on Music
I am a voracious and tech-savvy Latin music consumer and love discovering new tunes and attending live concerts.
Eléna Martina | Contributing Writer on Travels.
I love taking off to new and exciting places, but sometimes the best outings are nearby. My column will convince you to take “Staycations” that are exciting as traveling thousands of miles away from home, and yes, cheap for the wallet! Although I visited thirteen countries and lived in three, my priority while going on trips is to search for nearby historical enchantments, local scenery, good food, cultural attractions, and places to stay other than home. I’m also author of a book and avid blogger who writes about writing, publishing, and traveling.
What makes travel great is preparation, but I’ve been known to do spontaneous trips too! Join me in discovering new places in your very own backyard, or take you across another continent.
For more information visit: www.elenamartina.com
