Board of Directors

Charles Alfaro

FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Charles Alfaro is a long time resident of the Coachella Valley. Having originally graduated from Coachella Valley’s very own Palm Springs High School, Charles has been personally devoted to the growth and well-being of his community. As a Financial Advisor, Charles regularly advises individuals and business owners, helping to build customized investment strategies to help them achieve their goals. As a proponent for community involvement, he enjoys face-to-face interactions where he can get a deeper understanding of each client’s needs and goals. He takes the time to sort through the financial complexities of each client’s life, often times leveraging the extensive research and resources of Raymond James. This personalized approach to wealth management allows Charles to create a detailed plan based on personal values, philanthropic endeavors, objectives and timelines, income requirements, and risk thresholds.

Charles focuses on providing services to small businesses, corporations and families.

Charles is a graduate from the University of California, Irvine. He holds local nonprofits and community involvement in the highest regard. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the John F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation, and the Professionals In Human Resources Association. Away from the office, he enjoys local art shows, wine tastings and community events.

Guillermo Becerra

BANKING OFFICER

Guillermo Becerra is a Banking Officer with FirstBank where his focus is on lending and business development. He manages FirstBank’s Spanish Banking Center in Indio serving the Spanish Speaking community in the Coachella Valley with both banking and lending needs. Guillermo is a graduate of Indio High School, attended College of the Desert and transferred to the University of California, Riverside where he earned a B.S in Business Administration.

Guillermo is the youngest of three siblings. He immigrated to the United States when he was 11 years old and soon realized the unlimited potential this country has to offer. In his free time, he enjoys skiing, playing soccer and traveling. He is an energetic young leader and has been involved with several non-profit organizations in the Coachella Valley. The board membership with the Greater Coachella Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is his first position at this level and is excited for the opportunity. His involvement with this chamber closely aligns with his personal interests and is also encouraged by FirstBank’s mission of Banking for Good.

Bryan Owens Sahagun

ATTORNEY

Bryan Owens Sahagun is a Riverside native, born in Corona, California, and living nearly all of his life in the City of Riverside. Bryan’s passion for Riverside, its businesses, and its residents runs strong, as evidenced by his involvement in many organizations in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

Bryan primarily handles litigated matters, whether in court, arbitration, administratively, or on appeal, emphasizing in disputes pertaining to civil litigation, employment, breach of contracts, corporate law and ownership, personal injury, and malpractice for both plaintiffs and defendants. Bryan has represented parties not only before state and federal courts, but also before federal and state regulatory boards and commissions, including the Employment Development Department, the Franchise Tax Board, the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the Department Industrial Relations, the California Labor Commissioner, the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board, the Department of Labor, and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Bryan’s experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants gives him the unique advantage of understanding the other side’s arguments, claims, and defenses so as to provide the best and most cost-effective representation to his clients and to focus on what is important to prevailing in your matter, not just running up a bill.

Bryan also assists clients with drafting corporate documents, corporate formation, estate planning, drafting and reviewing contracts, and bankruptcies.

Small Business of the Year from the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Magna Cum Laude at Chapman School of Law
Cum Laude at Western State University, College of Law
ALI-ABA Scholarship and Leadership Award from Western State University
Western State University Law Review Editor-In-Chief
Exemplary Community Service Award from Western State University
Academic Performance Award from Western State University
Dean’s Fellow at Western State University
Several awards for highest grade in classes at both Western State University and Chapman School of Law

Publications

California’s Arbitration Pickle: Between Concepcion and a Hard Place
Can You Reimburse Me Now?: Employees’ Use of Personal Cellular Phones for Business Purposes

Noteworthy Published Opinions

DP Pham LLC v. Cheadle (2016) 246 Cal.App.4th 653 (Concerning the attorney-client privilege after the client’s death)
City of Palmdale v. City of Lancaster (2014) 223 Cal.App.4th 978 (Concerning when an automobile dealership or big-box retailer can be provided government funds to relocate)
Ash v. North American Title Co. (2014) 223 Cal.App.4th 1258 (Concerning the foreseeability of bankruptcy in breach of contract matters)

Memberships

State Bar of California
Riverside County Bar Association
Greater Riverside Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Riverside Chambers of Commerce

Teaching Positions/Seminars

Former Adjunct Professor at Western State University, College of Law
Adjunct Professor at University of California, Riverside Extension
Guest Lecturer for Greater Riverside Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Guest Lecturer for Riverside Chambers of Commerce
Guest Lecturer at California Desert Trial Academy College of Law
Sexual Harassment Training Instructor

Rebecca Luna

Old School Becky Lu

Old School Becky Lu has a communications background in radio broadcasting.
Her journey began in 2011 where she was part of the inaugural group that launched
KCOD Radio, the first-ever terrestrial college radio station at College of the Desert
in Palm Desert, CA. At KCOD she served as an On-Air Personality where she
hosted two music programs, Wired Live at 5 and Rock-a-Holics. Her passion for
the Arts opened the door to working behind-the-scenes in the radio production at
Alpha Media Palm Springs. She recorded over 100 radio advertisements for local
businesses in the Coachella Valley where her multi-talented voice was heard.
In 2020 Becky Lu became the co-host to Art Laboe on The Art Laboe Connection
radio program. The duo took listener requests and dedications and delivered love
messages to families and lovers who can’t be together. As well as play your
favorite Oldies but Goodies and cruising throwbacks! After the passing of Laboe in
2022, Becky Lu took the helm of the show to become the regular voice on the
show, continuing the radio legacy of Laboe. The show currently broadcasts on
multiple affiliate radio stations throughout California and Arizona and can be
streamed worldwide.

Guadalupe Ramos Amith

FOUNDER AND CFO OF A NATIONAL CIVIL ENGINEERING FIRM

Lupe is the founder and CFO of a national civil engineering firm, real estate investment, development, property management, medical billing, grant consultant, and restaurant & microbrewery. She has also been a small business consultant for startup businesses and managed both growth cycles and dissolutions. Her educational background is in finance and accounting. She has applied strategic planning skills and business instincts to the everyday challenges faced by business owners. Over the past 30 years, she has helped clients access startup capital to launch and grow their businesses.

Additional to her work at the SBDC, Lupe serves as Councilmember/Mayor on the Indio City Council. She has been a consultant for 20+ years. As a member of the Indio City Council, she has relationships with local, regional, state, and federal agencies and is able to access resources that help businesses.

Or Call Now

Bryan Owens Sahagun

 (951) 682-4525

MARIA URENA

DIRECTOR

Maria Ureña has been in the nursing profession for over 30 years, a small business owner for over 18 years and a constant community advocate for greater than 30 years.

Professionally Maria is a trained Family Nurse Practi1ioner, holds two Masters degrees, is a certitied interpreter, is a graduate of UCSF, Center for Health Professions, USC Marshall School of Business Latina Global Executive Program, and Stanford Graduate School of Business Latino Entrepreneur Leaders Program. She is currently employed with a major healthcare company where she is in charge of managing lhe quality improvement for 3 counties with over 800 prima- ry care
physicians.

Maria also serves as the President, CEO of King Automotive Services, Inc. a family owned & operated small business located in the city of Moreno Valley. Under her leadership Maria has been able to cement the current infrastructure, improve operations, streamline processes and improve the bottom line. Because of her leadership King Automotive Services, Inc. Has evolved from a small family business to a corporation that has been recognized for its contributions to the community and
economy.

Maria is very active civically and currently serves as the Chair for the UCSF California Health-care Leadership Alumni board, Director for the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce Foundation,
Immediate past chair for Ihe Greater Riverside Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. and a founding director for the Greater Coachella Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce,

Maria is the proud mother to three children and continues to serve the community with a goal of creating psychological safety and a thriving space for future leaders and our youth.

STEVEN FIGUEROA

DIRECTOR

Steven Figueroa has been serving the community his entire life. Steven established Figueroa Community Consulting, “FCC” in 1992. Working on his first political campaign at age nine (a Paramount city council race), he learned that if you want change you have to be involved. As an adult he got involved in the labor movement through the California School Employees Association and later as a union shop steward and later a supervisor at the U.S. Postal Service. He received multiple certificates including Government Relations’, Public Relations, Community Relations, Employee & Labor Relations, Disabled & Sec 504 laws and Supervisory, from the William Bolger Management Academy in Washington DC. Other endeavors include Steven was a past realtor and tax preparer. Steven realized many small business did not know what Government Corporate relations was or did and saw an opportunity to service business. Steven transitioned from the Government to the private sector, creating “FCC.” Businesses FCC assists many business in Community and Government Relations, including ProAbition Restaurant, Zendejas Restaurants, Mezcal Restaurant, DMCG Inc., Bail Hotline, LULAC of the Desert, LULAC of the Inland Empire, Hispanic Chambers, NLBWA, and many others.

As part of FCC In the community Steven has assist thousands of disabled children and their families and currently advocates for over 200 hundred families with children with disabilities, along with conducting Educational workshops and seminars for such families. Steven assists families with children disabilities throughout the United States, focusing on California.

Though Steven is disabled and suffers from severe chronic heart failure and neck and back injuries, he has not let his disabilities define him. Currently, he serves as President of the Inland Empire Latino Coalition. Steve is on Board for California Community Builders, the Greater Riverside Hispanic Chambers, and is on the Legislative committee for the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. Steven is on the board of Latino PBS in San Bernardino/Burbank. Among his many past roles, he is proudest of serving from 1994 to 2003 as the vice president of the Mexican American Political Association Voter Registration & Education Corp. Steven was among the first to support same-sex marriage and ran against marriage equality opponent Pete Knight as the Democratic nominee for the 17th Senatorial district and then the 34th Assembly district.

He also in the Past was Advisor to the Chair of California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, the National Latina Business Women Association Inland Empire and the Disability Rights and Legal Center Inland Empire. He has received many awards over the years, including the Greenlining Institute Big Heart Award in 2014, and the Greater Riverside Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Advocate of the Year for 2013 and recognitions for community involvement from U.S. Rep. Mark Takano, Sen. Connie Leyva, Sen, Mike Morrell, Assemblymember Jose Medina and many others. Look Steve Figueroa Education Advocate up on Google.com or Yahoo.com.

Steven Figueroa, FCC P.O. Box 1151 Riverside CA. 92501, (760) 486-4815 Fax (951) 742-7519 stvfigadvocate@msn.com

LACQUELINE LOPEZ

BOARD MEMBER, ADELANTE PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Jacqueline Lopez is an accomplished government and public affairs professional with over eighteen years of experience working with small business, government entities, and non-governmental organizations, specializing in public policy, public affairs, media relations, and political campaigns. She has an extensive track record serving the Inland Empire, most recently as the District Director for Congressman Raul Ruiz MD, who represents California 36th Congressional District. Prior to this role, Jacqueline held positions with California’s State Legislature first as Press Secretary and then as District Director to the 56th Assembly District. Her leadership in the Inland Empire includes her tenure as the Chief Executive Officer at the Coachella Chamber of Commerce, her work with the Riverside County CalWORKs and Workforce Development Centers. Jacqueline currently serves on the City of Indio Planning Commission and Dr. Reynaldo Carreon Foundation.

LORENA GOMEZ

Lorena Gomez is a daughter of a farmworker in the fields of the Eastern Coachella Valley. She was raised in Mecca and attended Coachella Valley High School. She graduated high school and moved to Riverside to pursue her education. Her nonprofit career began as an administrative assistant at the Riverside YMCA City & County.

Lorena is now the Fund Development & Communications Associate for Pueblo Unido (PUCDC). Her involvement in the community is impeccable. She currently serves as the Secretary for the Rotary Club of Mecca Binacional and attends community meetings from the East to the West in the Coachella Valley. She earned her Bachelor’s in Business from Springfield University.

Her goal is to bring awareness to the life of farmworkers in the Eastern Coachella Valley, and giving back to her community is her passion..

FRED WOLF

Fred Wolf was born in the Middle East. Having survived a war at the age 14, he has seen much and has had experiences which make him a strong leader, as well as a compassionate human being. Fred came to the U.S. on a student visa and worked very hard for his education in the film industry. After living most of his high school and college years in the San Fernando Valley, he moved to the Greater Coachella Valley in 1997.

As a front speaker and consultant for a fortune 500 corporation for over a decade, Fred is very comfortable speaking in front of big crowds and enjoyed being a public speaker.

He currently works for the Riverside County office of Education as a community outreach ambassador for the Greater Coachella Valley, bringing local businesses and schools together for adoptions and partnerships. He is also known to consult for the IT industry now and then, working with many non profit and charity organizations.

Fred wishes to use his leadership skills to help our young students in our GCV, particularly the East Coachella Valley improve their chances for receiving the advanced education they desire, so that they can become our future leaders for our communities, come back and create opportunities for future generations.

Paola Caceres

Paola Caceres is the Mortuary and Crematory Supervisor at Forest Lawn and has held various positions with the organization since 2011. In her current role, Paola helps grieving families by ensuring the highest care to their loved ones and meaningful services. Reaching out to the community through her work with Forest Lawn by guiding and serving families, Paola is also on the Our Lady of Guadalupe Coachella Valley Chapter. Paola is a graduate of Colorado State University with a B.S in Organizational Leadership, and an A.A in Mortuary Science from Cypress College.

This is Paola’s first role on a Board of Chambers, and she is excited to serve the community and build lasting connections between Hispanic business community and the Coachella Valley. Paola lives in Riverside and enjoys live music, skiing and traveling.