Our Team

Executive Board of Directors

Annissa's Bio

My name is Annissa Fragoso and I am the proud owner of the downtown Farmers Insurance Agency located at 527 W Main Street, Merced CA. I began my career with Farmers Insurance in 2012 and my overall insurance experience as an insurance professional is 16 years. I have been serving as a Director for the Chamber for approximately 9 years and I currently serve as the MCHCC President for the 2021 – 2022. I also serve as Board of Director for the Kids Discovery Station, a museum dedicated to children. Which is scheduled to open this fall. My greatest challenge as President is assisting the community with Covid19 resources and the re-opening of local businesses after 2020. My hopes are to create strong leadership, and partnerships within the community so the MCHCC can continue to advocate and educated small business owners in their efforts of recovering economically. My greatest achievement has been chairing the 5K Cowboy/Vaquero Run. For 5 years in a row, the Hispanic Chamber’s event has helped keep the scholarship foundation funded for Merced County graduating seniors. I come from the City of Tracy Ca, where I was born and raised, however I have resided in the community of Merced for over 25 years. On my past time, I enjoy spending time with my grandson Noah. I hope to continue to give back to the community and in the future to remembered for my love and generosity for all humanity.

Uriah's Bio

Born in Merced raised in Atwater Uriah is no stranger to doing big things in his community. In 2006 he created a mobile Dj business his junior year of high school. Graduating in 2007 from Buhach Colony his talents were soon recognized landing him on tour for some of the top artist that were out during that time. From 2006-2013 aside from throwing events in clubs/concerts he worked with the P.A.L program in Atwater. A program that catered to working with the youth on enrichment and recreational activities.  

In 2013 when Uriah met his wife and future son, he decided to leave the music scene behind and solely focus on his family. During this time, he worked at Centurion Supreme boats and after six months with the company, he was promoted to Department Supervisor. In 2016 he decided to step back on to the music scene and began holding club residencies in Merced County and its surrounding area. Then in 2017 he got the exciting news that his wife was expecting and decided to focus on his family. He then became a life coach working with The Haven, an adult day program in Atwater for clients with down-syndrome, autism, and other disabilities. He loved and enjoyed what he did, he always loved being the voice for others who needed someone in their corner to believe in them.

                In 2020 after losing his job and all his events/gigs due to covid Uriah began a new journey of self-employment. From creating furniture out of old pallets, selling USB flash drives of his mixes to launching his own morning mix/talk show on a streaming service called Twitch. Uriah found remarkable success sharing his story of fighting depression and suicide with others during his mix/talk shows. It was with that success Uriah launched his company BlessUP Clothing LLC. The meaning behind his brand motivated him to keep telling his story with those going through similar events in their life. From then on, his morning mix/talk show landed him doing guest DJ spots on major radio stations in his area and beyond.

In 2021 Uriah began to DJ mix shows on Fresno’s Mega 97.9, Reno’s Wild 102.9, Fresno’s Q97.1 and as the resident DJ of Splash and Dash Aqua Park in lake McSwain. Uriah continues to tell his story and use his light to encourage others. His BlessUP clothing line has seen great success both online and within Merced County. In August of 2021 he was voted into the Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as a Board of Director. Having strong ties to his community through many years of being a DJ, Uriah looks forward to continuing making a strong positive impact on the Merced County community and its surrounding areas.

                Going forward in 2022 Uriah’s goals remain the same: to make a difference, no matter how big or small. He continues to do mix shows for radio stations and will be back for his second year of residency at Splash and Dash Aqua Park. He continues to push his BlessUP clothing brand and will begin his new DJ residency at Ravello’s Event Center and The Dive Bar. Furthermore, Uriah also has plans for his very own clothing store on Main Street in Downtown Merced. Doors are expected to be open mid-April.

Contact

uriah@mercedhcc.com

Daisy's Bio

My name is Daisy Aleman, the Branch Manager at Farmers Insurance Federal Credit Union. I started with FIGFCU in 2004 as a Loan Technician and was able to grow within the Credit Union from a Loan Tech to a Lead Branch Counselor in 5 years. In 2010 I was offered the Branch Manager Position and oversee the OKC Branch, the Bellevue WA Branch, and the Merced Branch.

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. I moved to Merced in 1995 shortly after the Northridge earthquake. I worked at Bank of America for 5 years as a Teller then after, I was recruited to work at the Merced Manor (Psychiatric Facility) as a Trust Accountant for 96 patients for 3 years. I am a proud mother of 3 girls and a grandmother of a beautiful girl and soon to be a grandmother to a handsome boy. My Parents are from Zacatecas, MX. I am the middle child of 3. A fun fact about myself, I lived in Tijuana for 1 year. In that 1 year I learned to speak, write, and read Spanish fluently. I learned more than I knew about my culture and embraced it with my children.

I am excited to be part of the MCHCC’s Board of Directors and looking forward to helping businesses succeed in Merced

Maida's Bio

Maida is the owner of Minuteman Press, Merced – a full service printing, marketing, and design center.  MMP Merced is an independently owned and operated family  business; she works alongside her son Josh who is the Graphic Designer/Production Specialist.  Minuteman Press, Merced was chosen by the Merced County Hispanic Chamber as their Business/Member of the Year in 2018.

Maida is excited to be a part of MCHCC’s Board of Directors and is looking forward to helping other businesses thrive in Merced.

Board of Directors

Maria's Bio

I am Maria Soto. I am a long time resident of Livingston of which I devote much of my time and planning for development and recreation. Throughout my nearly 50 years of the Livingston lifestyle, I can truly say that my roots continue to provide wings of 5 generations of family; great grandparents, grandparents, parents, myself and my children. From my paternal side my father, Librado Soto, was first generation from Guanajuato, Mexico. He spent his youth in the fields farming beets on the family ranch and attending school in Wyoming. He left school to join the US Army serving 7 years in Germany, then reenlisted in the US Navy of which he retired after 21 years bringing his military communications skill set to the Livingston Telephone Company to continue to raise his children with his wife, my mother Charla Soto. On my maternal side my mother was a second generation of immigrants from Germany and Italy. My great grandparents came and settled in Livingston as farmers and mechanics while raising their children who were all graduates of Livingston High School; my grandmother was Class of 1937, my mother Class of 1955, myself Class of 1988, and my children Class of 2011, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2024 and 2028. My passion is in Livingston, and what I can accomplish on the broader scale of Merced County will bring resources, innovative ideas, and a connectedness throughout our region so that we level the playing field of our hardest and predominant working class in agriculture.

I am currently in education on a temporary position to provide junior high students with a support system to assist them with their needs throughout the “shut down” due to Covid-19. I have been in an educational role for nearly 30 years in various capacities-classroom teacher, supervisor or director as well as grade levels-preschool to include infants and toddlers through to adult school. I was also reelected for a 4 year Council seat for the City of Livingston. I consider this honor as an opportunity to help grow Livingston’s economy as well as develop her infrastructure utilizing our farming industry and creating the potential of opportunity and pride for small businesses.

Among my personal interests, values and passions encompasses my whole life where my parents raised me through their roles in Livingston to serve others and love the community. I am a Lifetime Member of the Veterans of Foriegn War Auxiliary #8327, member of Livingston Lions Club, Livingston Youth Football and Cheer Organization Board Secretary, coordinator of the Miss Independence Scholarship Program, chaired various events such as the Livingston 4th of July Festival and provided numerous volunteer hours to provide my hometown with different venues to promote businesses thus, maximizing profits for owners or stakeholders while maintaining social responsibility for local economy.

Elishah's Bio

Elishah Rebekah Perez, Stylist at Bella Rose Skin Studio Salon

Born in Atwater, CA on the Castle Air Force Base however grew up in Merced. I have been a dedicated independent self-employed worker since 2016 in the beauty industry. I started joining service clubs to give back to my community, then branched off to do community relations as well as finding a permanent home at Bella Rose Skin Studio Salon. I am extremely involved in my community and am a part of Atwater Rotary and Historic Downtown Atwater Clubs. I enjoy spending time with my family and engaging in outdoor activities like hiking, jogging, biking. I also excel in creating special events for nonprofit organizations and to help make our community grow.

Contact

Email: elishahrebekah@gmail.com

Contact

donreneinc@gmail.com

Diana Odom Gunn is the Community Liaison for San Joaquin Drug, a “Mom & Pop” pharmacy in Planada. San Joaquin Drug has been a Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce member for over 20 years.

Diana has volunteered and been involved with Merced County nonprofits since 2016. As President of the Merced Downtown Neighborhood Association for the past five year, as Board member of Binational Health Week since 2014, the Laura Fountain Restoration Ad-hoc Committee since 2021, the Merced County Public Health Community Partners on Covid19 since 2020, and as consultant to the Board of Planada in Action. She is also an appointed Commissioner for the Merced Arts and Culture Advisory Commission since 2018. In October she runs an Annual Health Fair at San Joaquin Drug pharmacy, actively participates in free food distributions in Planada, and distributed free at-home COVID tests for the United Way project in Merced County.

Becoming a Director of the Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in 2016 serving until 2019, she was instrumental in setting up the Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Foundation. She believes that empowerment of small business leaders is critical for the Merced community and that Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce empowers members to thrive.

Ambassadors

Geneva's Bio

Born and raised in Merced, the second to the oldest out of six siblings, and a proud mother to an amazing daughter. She takes great pride being part of her community and loves giving back. Helping the youth and future leaders of the community to achieve their goals and assist them in any way she can.

Currently the Work Based Learning Coordinator and College & Career Services Technician for Le Grand High School and MCOE (ROP). She helps students to prepare for entry-level employment within a career path. ROP/CTE students learn to work through practical experience. After basic classroom instruction, many students are placed at work sites throughout the community and are taught by skilled employers. With a background in Finance for the past 15 years. She has worked as a Financial Advisor for Wells Fargo, BBVA Compass Bank and HSBC International Bank. Prior to working in Finance, she worked for a year as a Certified Paralegal in Family Law. She previously also served as a Court Appointed Advocate for CASA of Merced County.

Geneva has been an Ambassador for the MCHCC since 2019 and President of the MCHCC Scholarship Foundation since March 2021

“Making a difference is always possible, especially with persistence and dedication.”

Gladys De La Mora.

Contact

grojas@lghs.k12.ca.us

Contact

garciafff020194@gmail.com

Elena's Bio

My name is Elena Gomez, I’m a former Community Relations Coordinator for a local Assisted Living
Community. I was born in raised in Madera and Fresno, where I volunteered for multiple non-profit
organizations and participated in community organized events. I took college courses while in High
School and graduated High School holding my Nursing Assistant Certificate and attended a trade school
to get my Medical Assistant Certificate with a focus on business and office management.
In 2014 I moved to Merced to pursue my career in a local Assisted Living Facility, where I quickly moved
up in the ranks and found myself soon thereafter working as the Community Relations Coordinator.
During my tenure as a CRC I found myself drawn, once again, to the non-profit sector, specifically with
the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. I attended a few events held by MCHCC and enjoyed them greatly
so when the opportunity came forward to work for MCHCC I jumped at the chance.
Life moved forward and I welcomed my first child, Willow, in February of 2020, right before the start of
a global pandemic. I had to make a very hard decision, as many stay-at-home parents do, and decided to
pause my career to care for my child and allow my spouse to further his career. A few short months
after making that decision, I reached back out to MCHCC for an ambassadorship as my best work is
working for my community, and I was greatly missing it!
I’m an avid angler, most weekends I can be found at a local lake, and I cannot wait to further share my
love of fishing with my daughter. Some of my favorite pastimes include reading, watching historic
dramas (think Downton Abbey), furthering my photoshop skills and spending time with my friends and
family. I’m a fourth generation Chicana and come from a very large family, filled with nurses,
entrepreneurs, laborers, businesswomen and athletes, (to name a few) all of us fulfilling the dreams of
our immigrant Great-Grandparents.

Contact

decayedjade@gmail.com

Contact

jmarquez@labellemedicalspa.com

Bryan's Bio

Bryan Jackson is a local Public Relations and Office Manager for Pearl Family Dentistry. He has over 10 years of marketing experience, has finished his education in management, and is passionate about seeing local businesses succeed.

“Joining the Merced Hispanic Chamber of Commerce simply opened another door for me to assist our community in a more structured and focused manner no matter what shape that takes. My goal is to find local businesses that are just starting, or currently struggling, and give them the boost they need to thrive and be successful. This is only possible through the connections from the MHCC and their community-driven team.”

Office Staff

Sarah Herrera

Administrative Assistant

Contact

sherrera@mercedhcc.com

Ex-Officio

Juan Román

Ex-Officio

Juan joined the Hispanic Chamber back in 2016 as Board of Directors, Past President 2019 – 2020 and now serves as Ex-Officio of the Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

He is very passionate about business development, community engagement, youth development, career development, event planning and most importantly seeing people smile. He brings enthusiasm, laughter, and an optimistic approach to the Hispanic Chamber and all its membership. He most definitely enjoys connecting with new and existing businesses and seeing them prosper.

Juan moved to the City of Merced in 2008 and obtained his B.A.( Economics) from the University of California, Merced. He currently manages the day-to-day operations of the Welcome Center as the Welcome Center Coordinator at the University of California, Merced for the Office of Admissions. Visit the tours page to schedule a visit.

Juan Román, Ex-Officio

jroman@mercedhcc.com