Meet the EL ARCA Board!
We’re proud to be associated with a diverse group of community leaders who have provided their time and expertise to help EL ARCA grow and thrive.
Executive Positions:
Ms. Charlotte Henderson – Chairman
Ms. Andrea Perez- Vice-Chair
Mr. Raul Gonzalez – Secretary
Ms. Laurence Ramirez – Treasurer
On our Board:
Charlotte Henderson
Parent Center Director for LAUSD
After serving on our Parent Leaderships Council for some time, Ms. Henderson was nominated to join the Board of Directors. She joined the EL ARCA board in 2014 and brings a unique perspective. Mercedes, Ms. Henderson’s daughter attends EL ARCA and thrives with our programs. Ms. Henderson coordinates special education classes and workshops for LAUSD.
Andrea Perez
Retired from Bank of America
A Board Member since 2012, Ms. Perez discovered EL ARCA through her son, Steven, who now attends EL ARCA, when he attended Perez Special Education High School. She decided to join the Board in order to try to give back to EL ARCA after everything they have given to help Steven.
Laurencia Ramirez
Community Representative for LAUSD
Ms. Ramirez has been a Board Member since 2007. Her son attended Perez Special Education High School, where she first found out about EL ARCA. She too decided to join the Board in order to make a difference.
Mr. Raul Gonzalez
Retired Parent of EL ARCA student
Milad Hanna
Self -Employed Businessman at Sinclair Gas
Mr. Milad Hanna joined the Board in 2014. Although new to the EL ARCA board, Mr. Hanna is a longtime friend and supporter of EL ARCA. He joined the Board of Directors to help further the Mission of EL ARCA, which is to enhance the quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities. .
Raymond Gibson
Retired Principal of The Dorothy Brown School, a special education school
While a member of a Catholic high school Advisory Board in 1999, Mr. Gibson met John Gutierrez, president of the parent advisory board of Bishop Montgomery High School and then-Chairman of the EL ARCA Board of Directors. Mr. Gutierrez invited Mr. Gibson to take a tour of EL ARCA. Being very impressed by what he saw that day, he knew that he had to get involved, eventually succeeding John as president on both boards.
Raul
Raul is a student at EL ARCA.
Dr. John M. Menchaca
President and CEO of EL ARCA
Dr. John M. Menchaca has been the President/CEO of EL ARCA since 2008 and oversees over 60+ employees and 4 service programs. He has dedicated more than 20 years of his professional life to helping persons with developmental disabilities. Dr. Menchaca grew up in Lincoln Heights and attended East Los Angeles Community College. He has a B.A. from Cal State Los Angeles, a Master in Public Administration from La Verne University and a Doctorate degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California.
Dr. Menchaca’ s tenure at EL ARCA started as an instructor in the classrooms. He was then promoted to program director of the Adult Day Programs. Within a few years, when the Vice-Presidency position was created, EL ARCA management knew that John Menchaca had the will and dedication to take on that position. Dr. Menchaca believes in empowering the employees and seeks feedback as well as ideas.
Directiva:
Sra. Charlotte Henderson – Presidente
Sra. Andrea Perez- Vice-Presidente
Sr. Raul Gonzalez – Secretaria
Ms. Laurence Ramirez – Tesorera
Raymond Gibson
Principal de The Dorothy Brown School, una escuela de educacion especial, Retirado Mientras que era miembro de una mesa directiva de la escuela secundariacatólica en1999, el Sr. Gibsonconoció a JohnGutiérrez,presidente del consejoasesor de padresdeBishopMontgomery HighSchooly el entoncesPresidente de la mesa directivade EL ARCA. El Sr.Gutiérrezinvitó al Sr.Gibsonpara hacer un recorridodeELARCA. Al estarmuyimpresionadopor lo que vioese día, sabía que tenía queparticipar,eventualmentesiendo presidenteen ambas mesas directivas como John.
Andrea Perez
Retirada de Bank of AmericaUn miembro dela mesa directiva desde2012, la Sra. Pérezdescubrió a ELARCA através de su hijo, Steven, quien ahora asiste a ELARCA, cuando asistió a la secundaria Perez. Elladecidió unirse a la mesa directiva con el fin detratar dedar aELARCAdespués detodo lo que handadopara ayudar aSteven.
Laurencia Ramirez
Representante de la comunidad— LAUSD
La Sra. Ramírez ha sido miembro de la mesa directiva desde 2007. Su hijo asistió a la secundaria Pérez, donde primero se enteró de EL ARCA. Ella también decidió unirse a la mesa directiva con el fin de hacer una diferencia.
