Leah Helen Gallardo Switzer
Leah Helen Gallardo Switzer has been working in the field of public relations for nearly 30 years. She began her career working as communications director for the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area of United Way and supervised a public relations campaign that helped raise $27 million for United Way. Eventually, she started her public relations consulting firm. Some of her clients included: Nestle, YWCA of Greater Los Angeles and Big Sisters of Los Angeles. She was part of the team that won a national award from Big Sisters/ Big Brothers of America for their Big Sister/Big Brother Month campaign. The Big Sister PSA that she wrote, produced and directed appeared on four major television stations. Before returning to consulting work, she worked as director of the Cal-Pac Media Center that serves 380 churches. She won national awards for her news webcast “United Methodists Making a Difference” and wrote articles for various publications including the National Religious Reporter.
She co-founded the Cal-Pac Abolition Task Force that seeks to educate churches and the community about human trafficking. She is also a member of the FIAT (Faith Initiative Against Human Trafficking), a group of churches of different denominations who fight human trafficking in the Los Angeles area. Also, she is a member of the advancement committee of the Verdugo Hills Boy Scout Council. She serves as the assistant pastor for the English-Language Group at Van Nuys First United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Switzer has always had a special heart for the community college student since she has a community college credential in anthropology and did her student teaching at East Los Angeles College. She also was a part-time instructor at Ventura College.
She received her BA and MA in Anthropology from CSULA and an MA. in Journalism from USC. She also has an MA in Theology from Fuller Seminary.
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Leslie Lopez
Leslie Lopez , newly elected Vice President of the SAI Board of Directors, and former recipient of the 2019 SAI Scholarship, has also served as Music Director of First United Methodist Church of San Fernado.
Leslie is a student at the University of California Irvine, studying Vocal Performance and looking to get her Bachelors of Music. Her music career began in 2015 when she had unexpected health issues that kept her from further following her dreams of becoming a doctor. Music has given her opportunities she would have never dreamt of. This past summer Leslie was selected to participate in the Barcelona Festival of Song where she sang art songs in Catalan, Spanish, and Portuguese. She has performed at CBS Studios for the Cancer Walk Relay for Life, has sung under the baton of Maestro James Conlon at LA Opera and currently serves on the LA Opera College Advisory Committee where she works closely with the staff to make opera more accessible to college students. These experiences have helped her gain tools and knowledge about program management, fundraising, and networking. She is the founder and creator of the SAI Annual Music Benefit Concert which invites music students to showcase their talents to raise funds for future SAI Recipients and their scholarships. Leslie is looking forward to serving as Vice-President, as a fellow student, she is motivated to help others Reach for the Stars. She’d like to give a very warm thank you to Bob Arvizu and President Leah Switzer who found her at a SAI Christmas Fundraiser event that connected her to the SAI Board.
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Robert E. Arvizu
Retired from the aerospace industry, after 35 years, as a Software Engineer. While employed at Jet Propulsion Laboratory, in Pasadena and Lockheed Martin “Skunks Works”, in Burbank and Palmdale, he concentrated in software engineering, which include computer programming, software design, software test and management. Two of the most significant projects that he contributed to, were the 1976 Viking Mars Landers and in the 1980s, the development of first U. S. operational stealth fighter, the F117.
Bob graduated from San Fernando Valley State College in 1972 with a B.A. in Mathematics and from USC in 1972 with a M.S. in Computer Science. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1969 with rank of Lieutenant.
At almost 15 years since his retirement, Bob has been involved volunteering his time to coaching youth, reading to children and serving the CalPac United Methodist Church at the local church and Conference level. He is presently the co-Lay Leader of the First United Methodist Church in San Fernando. He is, also, currently the Corporate Secretary, Historian and the longest serving member of the Spanish American Institute Board of Directors. He has been married to Juanita for over 50 years, has two children and two grandchildren. His pastime passion is playing basketball, and he will retire when he no longer hears “someone cover Bob”.
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Elias Cortez
Mr. Elias S. Cortez, CEO and sole proprietor of CIO pro, INC. Has extensive experience in delivering successful Integrated Technology solutions to both the private and public sectors.
Elias Cortez has been consulting in the AEC, Private sector and Municipal Government for over 30 years in both Architecture and Technology. With combined skills and expertise in Architecture, Technology and project management, He has served the underserved in providing an Affordable Integrated Technology solutions which enhance Technology integration to fulfill their specific needs.
We at CIOpro, believe that Public and Private organizations should focus on what they do best, their service and product delivery. Our philosophy is to use innovative technologies and our expert services, which address their distinct fundamental challenges and streamline their organization. In these very challenging times, using technology strategically to grow organizations business performance and create jobs of the future is a must. We enhance our customers People, Process and Technology simultaneously as a pathway to success.
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