Board of Directors

Juan Vallejos

President

Owner of Bay Hauling LLC

Office: (707) 712-4430

Work Email: juan@bayhauling.net

Email: president@solanohcc.com

Bio

Juan Vallejos

Bio

Yajaira Rubio Machado

Vice President: Benicia-Vallejo

Owner of Lunitas Kitchen

Bilingual in Spanish.

Bio

Yajaira Rubio Machado

Yajaira V. Rubio Machado is the founder and dance instructor of Moon Azteca Dance and Art School and the owner of Lunita’s Kitchen, a home-based business specializing in gourmet food, pastries, and gift baskets for all occasions, professionally established in 2020. Lunita’s Kitchen is certified by the Solano County Health Department, licensed by the city of Vallejo, certified by the food handling department, and holds a seller’s permit from the State of California.

Machado is passionate about her community support and donates whenever possible. Lunita’s Kitchen was founded to support Moon Azteca Dance and Art School, donating 25% of its profits to sustain the program. Lunita’s Kitchen is an active small business that contributes to numerous community events, always donating with love when requested.

Machado became a chamber member to increase her business's visibility and connect with other businesses. She joined the chamber to provide resources and support to small and Latino businesses, helping them grow, gain confidence, and recognize the value of promoting their ventures.

Jerry Gonzales

Vice President: Fairfield-Suisun-Rio Vista

Business Advocate with PayComapss.

Bilingual English and Spanish

Cell: (510) 725- 2749

Email: jgonzales@paycompass.com

Bio

Jerry Gonzales

As a Business Advocate for PayCompass, I service Solano, Napa, & Contra Costa Counties with Business Services. PayCompass focuses on community growth by supporting SMB Markets.
Our services are: Payroll, Business Lending, POS solutions, Credit card process, Inventory Management, Gateways, Online sales, and Marketing.

As a Board member for Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, My goal is to Advocate for local businesses and local communities to support growth and education. Providing assistance for basic business questions or concerns is one way I support and contribute. Volunteering to raise funds and awareness to causes that need support is my purpose. My reward is the relationships I build.

Ricky Gjertsen Jr

Vice-President Vacaville-Dixon

Solano County Library Associate

Bio

Ricky Gjertsen Jr

Ricky Gjertsen Jr. was born in the East Bay and grew up as the only child of both of his parents in the Solano County area. He attended Preschool through Kindergarten in Solano County, where he grew up playing basketball, swimming, and playing baseball. In high school, Ricky was a 4-year Track and Field athlete, Journalism Club member, Key Club member, DECA Club member, and Cheer Squad athlete.

Ricky has served the community through his past volunteer work as a KSSU Disc Jockey and Resident Advisor for Sacramento State, Board Member for the Matt Garcia Foundation, Supervisory Committee Member for Solano First Credit Federal Credit Union (now Valley Strong Credit Union), Promotions Intern for Lamorinda Arts Council, and as District Delegate for California State Assembly District 11.

Ricky has nearly 15 years of experience working as an advocate for tweens and teens through his work in Teaching, Child Welfare, Child Support, and Teen Programming Services for Treasure Island Job Corps, Yolo County, Contra Costa County, and currently Solano County. Ricky is an alumnus of Solano Community College, Sacramento State, and University of San Francisco.

Kim Castaneda

Treasurer

VP of Development & Communications at Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano.

Bio

Kim Castaneda

Kim Castaneda has lived in Vacaville for over 20 years and has a deep passion for community. Over her 20+ years in Solano, Kim has owned two small businesses, helped bring the first Boys & Girls Club to her town, and sat on different nonprofit Boards, from the Downtown Business Association to small social services nonprofits.

She currently works for the Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano as their VP of Development & Communications. Kim’s team creates strategies and builds relationships that advance all aspects of the Food Bank’s resource development work to support the mission of ending hunger in our community. Kim is passionate about giving back to her community, and through resource development, she sees opportunities to inspire and enable others to give back as well.

Kim is a Certified Fundraising Executive, a San Jose State University graduate, and holds a certificate from the University of Notre Dame-Mendoza College of Business Executive Leadership Program.

Marbeya Ellis

Secretary

Family Resources Manager with Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District (FSUSD)

Bilingual English and Spanish

Bio

Marbeya Ellis

Marbeya Ellis was raised in Napa, California and later moved to Vacaville, California in the 5th grade where she attended Fairmont Elementary, Vaca Peña Middle School, and Will C. Wood High School.

Marbeya has dedicated the last 11 years working in different capacities in the educational field; acquiring a variety of skills. As a result of her passion, drive, and dedication to service; she has spent
most of her eleven years working directly with families and organizations in the community. Currently, overseeing the Family Resource Centers in Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District. Marbeya strives to continue to provide a safe, accessible place for families and youth to connect with comprehensive and coordinated services that help empower individuals. Services at each center are tailored to the specific needs of the community they serve and support is focused on building upon the strengths of each family and/or individual.

Marbeya serves on numerous committees, including the Equity Steering Committee, with the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District. Marbeya’s goals are to continue to see progress in community services gaps and access to equal opportunities for all individuals.

Marbeya is a dedicated mom, wife, daughter, sister, and friend. She enjoys hosting social gatherings and spending time with family and friends.

Ofelia Vargas

Chief Ambassador

Email: Soldbyofeliavargas@gmail.com

Bio

Ofelia Vargas

For over 20 years, I’ve dedicated my career to guiding future homeowners and sellers throughout the Bay Area, helping them navigate the ever-changing real estate market with confidence and ease. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer taking your first steps toward homeownership, a seller looking to maximize your property’s value, or an investor seeking the best opportunities, I am here to provide expert guidance and strategic solutions tailored to your unique needs.

As a first-generation Latina, my journey has been deeply rooted in the belief that real estate is more than just buying and selling homes—it’s about building legacies, securing financial stability, and creating a future that reflects your dreams. Fluent in both Spanish and English, I ensure that my clients feel heard, understood, and empowered to make the best decisions for their families.

My expertise extends beyond traditional transactions; I specialize in first-time buyers, sellers, relocations, and real estate investments, providing a personalized, hands-on approach that prioritizes education, transparency, and trust. I believe in equipping my clients with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate their journey successfully, offering in-depth market analysis, negotiation expertise, and innovative marketing strategies to achieve the best possible outcome.

But my passion for helping others doesn’t stop at real estate. As an advocate for empowering women and supporting families, I strive to be a mentor and guide for those facing challenges along their personal and financial journeys. I am actively involved in mentoring teens and young adults at Liberty Church, encouraging growth, breaking generational barriers, and fostering a mindset of abundance and possibility.

Tina Fowler

Parliamentarian

Owner of 3 Bridges Consulting

Email: 3bridges.tina@gmail.com

Cell: 707-373-4701

Bio

Tina Fowler

Tina Fowler was born & raised in Solano County and has lived here continuously ever since. She has been involved in numerous projects, sat on the board of Vallejo Police Activities League, the CF Foundation, Leadership Vallejo, and the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum. She co-owned a small locksmith company for many years and she has worked for the Benicia and Vallejo Chambers. She currently works as a small business consultant helping business owners with the things they either don't know how to do, or simply don't want to.

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Board Member

Bio

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Sandra Jacobson

Board Member

Republic Services, Municipal Supervisor

Resident of the City of Fairfield. Born in Colombia.

Bilingual English and Spanish

Bio

Sandra Jacobson

Experience

Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 2017 - present Secretary, membership, Assistance with various Chamber events and Mixers.
Fairfield Community Services Foundation. 2018 - present. Coat and Toy Drive Chair.
Solano Library Foundation 2019 - present. Assist with Events.
Soroptimist of Central Solano 2014 - present. Vice-president 2018.

How do you feel SHCC would benefit from your involvement as a Board member?

I have served on the board, and I would like to continue to support the chamber. My involvement with another groups and Fairfield community can benefit SHCC.

Leo Callejas

Board Member

Owner of DigitalTrack Digital Marketing

Cell: 707-410-0307

Email: info@digitaltrack.co

Bilingual English and Spanish

Bio

Leo Callejas

Business Owner | Digital Marketing Strategist | Hispanic Business Advocate

Leo Callejas is a first-generation entrepreneur, Hispanic business advocate, and U.S. Army veteran dedicated to the growth and success of Hispanic-owned businesses across Northern California. Born in Nicaragua and now based in Fairfield, CA, Leo is the founder of DigitalTrack Digital Marketing, a firm he launched in 2017 to help service-based businesses—such as contractors, restaurants, janitorial companies, and tax professionals—build their online presence and reach more customers through digital tools and strategy.

In addition to running his business, Leo is a passionate community leader. He has served in multiple leadership roles with the Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, including Board President (2021–2023) and currently Communications Chair. He also serves as the Northern Region Chair for the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (CHCC), where he advocates for Hispanic-owned businesses at the regional and state level, builds bridges between chambers, and promotes access to resources for Latino entrepreneurs.

Leo is also a bilingual Business Advisor with the Solano-Napa SBDC, where he supports new and existing businesses in areas like business licensing, marketing, operations, and digital readiness. His bilingual (English/Spanish) approach allows him to reach entrepreneurs who might otherwise struggle to access support.

Before becoming a business owner, Leo earned a degree in Computer Network Management and spent over a decade in corporate roles in the financial sector, leading complex technology implementations. He brings that same structured, solution-oriented mindset to his business and advocacy work today.

Leo continues to balance entrepreneurship, public service, and family life. He lives in Fairfield with his wife and four sons, and remains committed to empowering Latino business owners, building inclusive economic growth, and lifting up the communities he serves.

Francisco Marin

Board Member

Agent, New York Life Insurance Company
CA Insurance License #0M98473

9280 W. Stockton Blvd. Suite 200
Elk Grove Ca, 95758

707-592-5922

Email: fmarin01@ft.newyorklife.com

Bilingual English and Spanish

Bio

Francisco Marin

Esmeralda Cervantes

Board Member

Owner of 1st Choice Tax Services

Bilingual: English and Spanish

Bio

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Esmeralda Cervantes moved to Solano County in 2007. She began her journey in tax preparation in 2015 and is now based in Fairfield, California, where she serves the community with great determination and dedication.

Her business, 1st Choice Tax Services, is a multi-service office that offers assistance with immigration paperwork, including green card renewals, advanced parole applications, DACA renewals, and citizenship filings. Esmeralda also provides document translation services, officiates wedding ceremonies, and helps clients with general form filing.

Being bilingual in English and Spanish is a core part of her mission, as she is deeply passionate about helping community members—especially those facing language barriers—better understand their taxes and financial responsibilities.

As a board member of the Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Esmeralda’s goal is to continue supporting fellow entrepreneurs in achieving their goals, sharing innovative ideas, and becoming more involved in the local community.

Board of Directors

Juan Vallejos

Yajaira Rubio Machado

Jerry Gonzales

Ricky Gjertsen Jr

Kim Castaneda

Marbeya Ellis

Ofelia Vargas

Tina Fowler

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Sandra Jacobson

Leo Callejas

Francisco Marin

Esmeralda Cervantes

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Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce