2024 CA LULAC State Board Members & Committee Members

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Jacob Sandoval joined LULAC in 2017, He owns a small business in Salinas, CA. He has previously served as Deputy State Director and Treasurer on the CA LULAC board. Jacob served on his LULAC council in different roles as Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary. He is passionate about making positive change in the community and currently serves as School Board President for the Santa Rita Union School District, which is the same school district, he attended. He graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chicano(a) Studies in 2004.

 Alyssa Mireles, joined LULAC in 2020. She is a first-generation graduate, with a Master of Public Health from San Diego State University. She has served as Deputy State Director for Young Adults and is currently Secretary for Oxnard Council #3147. She is an advocate for the Latino community, focusing on health, education, and civil rights. Committed to service, she aims to foster participation in LULAC and councils throughout California.

Jose Barrera is a dreamer from Michoacán Mexico. He’s the first in his family to graduate from college having studied at UC Davis, he uses his public affairs experience to focus on modern issues that affect Latinos from a grassroots perspective. Jose joined LULAC in high school, and has served in multiple roles, including the California LULAC Director for Young Adults and Deputy Director and State Director. As of 2024 he serves as Vice President at the National Board level.

Jaime Sonne-Diddi, joined LULAC in 2004. She holds both her Baccalaureate and Master's degree in Spanish from California State University Long Beach. With 28 years of experience teaching Spanish, she has a deep passion for working with local youth.  Jaime currently serves as the Advisor to the Segerstrom High School LULAC Youth Council #2081. She is dedicated to ongoing community involvement, advocacy, and leadership development among youth members while staying connected to the LULAC family.

Nathan Castillo, joined LULAC in 2022. He is dedicated to his community. He is pursuing a Baccalaureate  of Science degree in Public Policy at Arizona State University, He serves as Vice President of Young Adults for LULAC's Oxnard Chapter #3187, and sits on the local foundation's board. He has interned as a policy intern for CA LULAC and served as the state’s Environmental Justice Liaison. He was honored as 2022 National Young Man of the Year and CA Young Man of the Year.

Arturo Torres Montiel, joined LULAC in 2016. He studied industrial engineering at the University of Guadalajara.  Arturo launched an entrepreneurial journey with his children, forming the musical group “Los Malandrines,” which enjoyed notable success. They started "Posada Con Los Malandrines," donating a portion of tour earnings to buy toys, distributing over 150,000 toys to San Joaquin Valley children. He currently serves as President of CA LULAC Council #3273 and CA Deputy Director of Seniors.

Elizabet holds a Baccalaureate degree from California State University, Monterey Bay. In recognition of her outstanding contributions, she was named LULAC Woman of the Year and received the 30th Assembly District California Peace Award in 2014. Elizabet also served as National Youth LULAC Vice President for the Farwest and as Deputy State Director for California LULAC. Committed to community service, she addresses the needs of vulnerable populations, including farm workers, low-income families, and immigrants. Elizabet is dedicated to assisting individuals with DACA renewals, citizenship, and rights education, significantly impacting her community.

Miriam is the founder of San Diego LULAC Council #3198. She has received the Community Activism/Education Award from Dr. Shirley Weber (Assemblywoman CA District 79, 2020) and recognition from the California Teachers Association's San Diego Service Center. She also received a TLC Award for her work with English Language Learners and is a Co-Founder of the NEA ELL Caucus. Additionally, she has been acknowledged by Senator Barbara Boxer and Assembly members for her contributions to education and human rights. Miriam founded the “Si Se Puede" Parent's Association and is active in various community service organizations.

Irma C. González joined LULAC in 2000. Irma is a first generation high school and college graduate born to migrant farm workers She currently serves as President of San Benito County LULAC Council 2890. She previously served as Parliamentarian. Irma earned her baccalaureate degree with distinction from California State University Monterey Bay. She earned her Master’s in Administration also with honors from California State University Bakersfield. Irma, was elected in 2019 and currently serves as an elected community college trustee. Under her leadership, Council 2890 was awarded California LULAC Council of the year in 2024. . 

Christian Contreras is an attorney, civil rights activist, and community leader, He has a law practice specializing in civil rights, business litigation, personal injury, and criminal defense. He is the principal of the Christian Contreras Firm, PLC, and a partner at Guizar, Henderson & Carrazco, LLP. Involved with Justice X, he serves on the boards of the East Los Angeles College Foundation, the Protesters Defense Alliance, and the Mexican American Bar Association (MABA). He is also general counsel for the Latino Coalition of Los Angeles and serves as California LULAC's state-wide legal advisor.

Tony Flores, earned his baccalaureate degree from University California Davis. Tony was selected by the Congressional Hispanic Leadership Institute (CHLI) as one of five young Latinos nationwide for a fellowship in Washington, DC. Tony currently serves as a full-time Congressional Staffer for Congressman, Lou Correa, contributing to the office's work and initiatives. 

Anthony J. Noriega served three years in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era. He  had a 25-year career as a Federal Civilian employee, including 15 years as a Human Resource Specialist at Los Angeles Air Force Base. He concluded his Federal service in 2005 as a Civilian Personnel Advisor at March Air Reserve Base, overseeing 22,000 personnel. Since January 2021, he has been the Director of District 5 de Inland Empire, actively supporting local councils and engaging in LULAC initiatives to promote inclusivity, economic empowerment, and education advancement within the community.

Angel Galvez, has dedicated his career to native American healthcare. He holds a Master’s degree in Administration in Organizational Leadership from Fresno Pacific University and a baccalaureate degree  in Criminology with an emphasis in Victimology from California State University Fresno. Tony began as Chief Operating Officer of the Tule River Indian Health Clinic and later became CEO of the Bakersfield American Indian Health Project. His leadership and education have led to significant achievements in Indian Health Services. Angel is married, has three children, and is actively involved in church, youth sports, and community activities.

Aidee M. Farias, is a first-generation college graduate from migrant farmworkers. She serves as the Deputy Director for the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), a national nonprofit focused on diversifying the STEM fields. Aidee has extensive experience in California community colleges and adult education consortia, particularly in grant management and strategic planning. She is multilingual in Spanish and German and earned her Master’s in Business Administration from the Monterey Institute of International Studies (Middlebury College) and dual baccalaureate degree from UC Santa Barbara.

Dave Rodriguez, joined LULAC in 1983. He has served as National Vice President for five western states. Dave has been State Director in Arizona and California, and in various local offices. His political involvement began as a volunteer in Bobby Kennedy's 1968 Presidential Campaign. He later served in the Arizona House of Representatives and played a key role in electing Arizona's first Latino Governor. Dave has been honored with the LULAC National Cesar Chavez Award and the Othli Medal from Mexico. He spent 12 years on LULAC's National Board of Directors. He currently chairs the California LULAC Foundation.

Maria Gutiérrez, joined LULAC in 1983.  One of the original founders of Sacramento’s LULAC Council 2862 Maria currently serves as the Council 2862 President. She holds a baccalaureate degree in Business Administration. She has a Master's Degree in Public Administration. She recently retired from her role as Division Branch Chief at the California Department of Public Health, where she oversaw all fiscal, contract, legislative, and business operations for the Licensing and Certification of Health Care Facilities. Maria is a founding member of the Sacramento Folsom Boulevard Coalition, focused on community and traffic safety improvements. Additionally, 

Danny Carrillo is the President of the San Buena Ventura Council 3308.  Danny has a strong record of community service, having honorably served as a U.S. Marine and discharged as a Sergeant after one tour. He is the past District 17 LULAC Director A lifelong Ventura County resident, he has served on several nonprofit boards in the area. Danny is committed to fighting for working people and communities of color, having retired as the Regional Director of SEIU Local 721, where he advocated for social and economic justice.