About the Executive Board
Jose Barrera, State Director
Jose “JB” Barrera is a dreamer born in Michoacán Mexico. He has been a LULAC member advocating for Youth since High School. He previously served on the California LULAC Board as the Director for Young Adults. A recent graduate from the University of California Davis, Jose obtained a Bachelor’s degree in political science and Spanish. During his school years, he worked for Mercury Public Affairs gaining experience in Public Relations and now focuses his energy on Millennial issues and mentoring Youth Dreamers such as himself. With LULAC he has lobbied for a Clean Dream Act at all levels of government and pledges to continue fighting for Civil Rights through the entirety of his professional career and beyond.
Yvonne Gonzalez Duncan, Immediate Past State Director
Yvonne was born in Chicago, IL , her mother was from Aguascalientes, MX and her father was from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. She was Miss Mexico of the Midwest for LULAC in Chicago when she was 17 and won a trip to Mexico City. Her mother was an activist and also volunteered for LULAC in Chicago. Yvonne moved to Orange County in 1979 with her family. Yvonne has a BA degree in Behavioral Science. Most recently Yvonne worked for the US House of Representatives as a Federal Grants Manager supporting a Congresswoman in the 46th Congressional District. She worked for over 20 years as a Manager in Head Start, Health Care and as a Program Manager at Long Beach City College as a grant writer and manager in Economic Development / Workforce Development. She joined Anaheim LULAC in 2005 and was elected California State LULAC Director on April 29, 2018. She previously was Orange County LULAC District 1 Director for 5 years.
Elizabet Zepeda, Deputy State Director
Miriam Aguilar Escobar, Deputy Director for Women
Currently serves as a member of LULAC Foundation INC. where she has held several positions such as; Co-Chair, Vice-Chair, and secretary. She is the State Deputy Director for Women for State LULAC Council, and an active member of Anaheim Council. She is the founder of San Diego Education LULAC Council 3198. In addition to her service to LULAC, her activism at local, state and national levels, has proven her leadership skills in Education and civil rights. She has received several awards, such as the most recent one, Community Activism/Education given by Dr. Shirley Weber, Assemblywoman for 79 District California State Legislature (2020), California Teachers Association San Diego Service Center, Who Award for her participation as CTA State Council Minority- At- Large Representative and TLC Award for her services to English Language Learners students, as a Co-Founder of NEA ELL Caucus. She has been given Certificates of Recognition by United States Senator Barbara Boxer, Assemblywoman Lory Saldaña, and Assemblyman José Medina for her service in Education and Human rights. She is a founder of “Si Se Puede Parents Association, in Southern California and a member of Educate For the Future, among other local community services organizations.
Pete R. Placencia, Deputy Director for Seniors
Susie Flores, Treasurer
Alyssa Mireles, Deputy Director for Young Adults
Alyssa joined the California LULAC board in July of 2021. She is also Secretary for her local LULAC council, Oxnard #3147. She joined LULAC to advocate and be active in the Latino community. Her topics of interest include health, education, and civil rights. Alyssa is pursuing her Master of Public Health with a concentration in Health Management and Policy at San Diego State University. During her undergraduate years, she was part of other organizations and actively participated in her community. Also, Alyssa has previously worked with youth by providing guidance to pursue higher education and advocating on local issues. She is looking forward to continuing her work to serve the young adult councils throughout California to provide guidance and encourage participation.
Jaime Sonne-Diddi , Deputy Director for Youth
A native Californian, Jaime grew up in Santa Ana and studied at CSU, Long Beach, where she earned a B.A. and M.A. in Spanish. She has been teaching Spanish for 28 years in Santa Ana and loves working with the youth of her hometown. She has been a member of Santa Ana LULAC #147 for approximately 20 years and serves as Advisor to the Segerstrom H.S. LULAC youth council #2081. Jaime looks forward to continued community involvement, advocacy and leadership development among the youth membership, while remaining connected and committed to the LULAC familia.
Beatriz Mendoza, District Director 1
Beatriz Mendoza was born in Ajuchitlan, Guerrero, Mexico and came to the U.S. at the age of 6. She is one of seven children. Her mother, Victoria, is the greatest example of a hardworking woman. She raised seven children on her own because Beatriz’s father passed away when she was only three years old and she continues to work. Her mother Victoria set an example of volunteerism early on. She has volunteered at her church for over 20 years, cooking food in order to raise funds. Beatriz has worked for notable individuals like State Senator Joe Dunn (retired), Attorney Jess J. Araujo, Attorney Alfredo Amezcua, the U.S. Census Bureau as a Partnership Specialist Team Leader, Delhi Center as the Director of Community Engagement and, most recently, she was the Senior Field Representative for U.S. Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (retired). She has also worked and volunteered on several political campaigns.In 2015, Beatriz was recognized by Senator Lou Correa with the “Women Making a Difference”. In November 2016, she was a recipient of LULAC’s Council #147 “Woman of the Year”. Most recently, she was once again honored by (now) Congresswoman Lou Correa as a “Woman of Distinction”. In May of 2018, she was recognized with the Mother’s Day Special Honoree Award by the Premier Women’s Council, a non-profit organization which raises money for scholarships for students. Lastly, in April of 2018, she was recognized by the Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and received the Volunteer of the Year Award. Beatriz lives in Santa Ana with her three lovely children, Andrew, Vanessa and Cesc Alexander.
Anthony Noriega, District Director 5
Anthony J. Noriega is a veteran having served in the United States Army for four years during the Viet Nam Conflict era. Following is honorable discharge, he worked various jobs and before using his G.I. Bill to support himself while he attended college. He served as a federal civilian employee, Human Resource Specialist for 16 years at Los Angele Air Force Base, (LAAFB), followed by his assignment to March Air Reserve Base, Riverside Ca. after being selected for promotion to a GS-13 as the Civilian Personnel Advisor to Major General Robert E. Duignan, commander of 4th Air Force Reserve Command. In this position, he was responsible for advising and consulting with Installation commanders and their staff for 21 Air Forces bases located throughout the United States with an approximate work force population of 22,000. He went on to serve in this position for 10 years, before retiring with 30 years of federal service in 2015. He has been a member of LULAC for over four years, and has served as the Vice-President and secretary of Veterans of Southern California LULAC council 3274. He was appointed as the California State LULAC Representative for Military and Veterans Affairs in November 2021. In February 2021, he was appointed as a member of the California State LULAC Foundation Board. and serves as the board secretary. On 6 January 2022, Anthony was appointed as the acting Director District 5 – LULAC de Inland Empire. In 2021, he was instrumental in forming LULAC de Ontario and LULAC de Moreno Valley. He continues to focus his efforts to expand LULAC to other cities within the Inland Empire.
Euler Torres, District Director 11
Philanthropist and visionary with extensive knowledge of Latino affairs in the United States. For more than five years, after having his first interaction with LULAC he became the district 11 director in 2021 and has been active in various matters that concern the community. He loves being a part of LULAC because it allows him to be the voice of the voiceless. He is also Co-founder and CEO of LENUSA. Being part of these two organizations gives me the access to the information that our community needs.
Andrew Sandoval, District Director 12
Andrew Sandoval is the District 12 Director. District 12 has councils in Los Banos, Hollister, Castroville, Salinas, Monterey and Greenfield. Andrew has been a member of Salinas LULAC since 2018. He was elected Vice President in 2019. A primary focus has been education. Increasing parent participation, input and language access are some key successes. He has led the effort to bring cities into compliance with the California Voting rights act, currently the city of Greenfield and Monterey are moving towards district elections. Government transparency and accountability are also issues he has worked on.
Sylvia Alvarez, District Director 14
Dave Rodriguez, District Director 17
Christian Contreras, Statewide Legal Advisor
Christian Contreras is an attorney, civil rights activists, and community leader. Christian Contreras has a robust law practice in the practice areas of civil rights, business litigation, personal injury, civil litigation, appellate litigation, trials and criminal defense. In his capacity as a lawyer, Christian Contreras also advises businesses on a range of topics including business formation, development, and compliance with state law and regulations. In addition to being a practicing attorney, Christian Contreras is also a community leader. Christian Contreras is the principal of the Christian Contreras Firm, PLC. Christian Contreras is also a partner with the civil rights firm, Guizar, Henderson & Carrazco, LLP. Christian Contreras is also a civil rights activists with Justice X. Christian Contreras currently serves on the board of directors for the East Los Angeles College Foundation, board of directors for the Protesters Defense Alliance, board of directors for the Mexican American Bar Association (“MABA”) and is general counsel to the Latino Coalition of Los Angeles. Christian Contreras was also recently appointed as California state-wide legal advisor to the League of United Latin American Citizens (“LULAC”).