Joseph Casas Email
Chairman of the BOD SDCHCC, Casas Law Group

Joseph Casas is the founder of Casas Law Group. Previously, he was a litigation associate in McKenna Long & Aldridge's San Diego Office. Joseph's experience includes the defense of business and commercial torts, contractual disputes, negligence, fraud, securities claims, and white-collar criminal matters.

Joseph's clients include members of the military community facing criminal charges under the Uniform Code of Military Justice and/or employment termination proceedings before Administrative Separation Boards or Boards of Inquiry.

Prior to joining MLA, Joseph served as a prosecutor for the Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps (JAG) in San Diego, California. As a JAG, Joseph prosecuted cases involving serious assaults, narcotics, child exploitation, computer crime, white-collar crime, and complex National Security cases. Joseph's litigation experience also includes a thorough understanding of military administrative separations proceedings.

During his tour of duty as a Navy JAG, Joseph also served as a military justice advisor for large commands such as Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) where he assisted commanding officers and other executive personnel on issues involving criminal law & procedure, international law, administrative law, tort law, legal assistance, and employment law.

Prior to entering the legal industry, Joseph worked for the State of Texas House of Representatives as a Legislative Intern. Joseph was also a reservist in the United States Marine Corps from 1994 through 1999.

Joseph received his J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology. While in law school, he was the Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of the student-run Chicago-Kent Journall of International & Comparative Law. Recently he was selected as a recipient of Metropolitan Magazine's prestigious "40 Under 40" award. casaslawgroup.com

Jerome Toliver
Officer SDCHCC [Vice Chairman], RMJ Marketing

Jerome A. Toliver currently serves as Chief Executive Officer of RMJ Marketing, Inc., a California Corporation located in Fallbrook, CA.

AS CEO of RMJ, Jerome works with a team of associated business partners to participate in marketing products and services in various industries.  As 2007 commences, RMJ serves as a holding company for Diversified Travel Group, TuMundo Travel, RMJ Technologies, and Real Estate services to include the sale/purchase of residential real estate, notary services, mortgage services and investment opportunities nationwide.

Prior to operating RMJ, Jerome acquired over a decade of management experience while employed in the banking industry at various locations across the country for Bank of America, primarily in retail banking and lending.  In addition to the finance sector,

Jerome enjoyed his run in public/media relations in the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers and the NHL with the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.  Interim experiences include managing a statewide teacher training program in economics for the California Council on Economics Education, teaching in the Boston Public School District and training as a Bank Examiner for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Mr. Toliver is a graduate from California State University, San Bernardino’s School of Business, has completed MBA course work at California State University, San Marcos and has a Real Estate License from the State of California.  Currently, he sits on the Board of Directors for the California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and RMJ Marketing, Inc.  Past board experience includes JVN Marketing, Inc., The Fallbrook Animal Center & Sanctuary, and advisor to the board of the California Council of Economics Teachers. Jerome enjoys golf as a hobby and business environment. 

Currently, he resides in Fallbrook, California with his wife Veronica and their three children, 5 year old, Natalia, 2 year old, Isabella and their one on the way.

Armando Ibarra
Officer SDCHHH [Treasurer], Ibarra & Co. CPA's

Minnie Rzeslawski Email
Officer SDCHCC [Correspondence Secretary], 24k International Realty & Funding

Minnie Rzeslawski has been serving San Diego communities as a successful realtor for nearly twenty years.  As Founder and CEO of 24K International Realty and 24K Funding Group her vision is to enhance the quality of life of families by building strong neighborhoods through homeownership, community development and first-rate schools.

As a realtor, Minnie has been an active member in numerous professional organizations including The National Association of Realtors (NAR); The National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP); The California Association of Realtors (CAR); The Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR); and the San Diego Creative Investors Association.

As an active community member, Minnie is a board member of The San Diego High School Foundation; an advisory board member for the CIMA School of the San Diego High Educational Complex; a member of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR); and a member of the National Association of Female Executives (NAFE).  In addition, she is an active classroom volunteer and PTA member for the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts.

Minnie holds the distinction of being appointed to The Empire of Who's Who Among Executive and Professional Women in 2004-05 and most recently was selected Entrepreneur of the Year by the San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in addition to being recognized by the National Association of Women Business Owner (NAWBO) with their Affiliate Award in 2006.

Minnie is a native San Diegan and a graduate of San Diego High School and received her real estate training at Anthony Real Estate School.  She is married to Luis and they have two lovely daughters.

Michael Michaels
Director SDCHCC, Sycuan

Monica Bernal
Officer SDCHCC [Secretary of the BOD], Univison

Monica Bernal is a Senior Account Executive at Univision. Bernal uses her experience to develop and maintain long-term customer relationships by providing excellent service.

Prior to working for Univision, Monica was an account executive for Clearchannel Outdoor, and in addition, also held positions in the retail industry for nearly 12 years. Bernal earned the Pacesetter award, by surpassing yearly sales goals, as well as achieving the All-Star award by demonstrating high standards in teamwork and customer service at Nordstrom Fashion Valley.

She is currently the Correspondence Secretary for the San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. In conjunction with serving the Committees served on the SDCHCC she also serves as Co-Chair to the Public Relations Committee, and Marketing and Membership Committee. Bernal is also a San Diego Ad Club Member and is involved in committees such as The Hispanic Marketing Council, "Mingle Bells", and S.A.F.E.

Bernal is a native to San Diegan. She attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising where she earned an AA in Merchandise Marketing.  She may be reached at: monicabernal@entravision.com

Linda Caballero-Sotelo

Linda Caballero Sotelo past President and CEO of the nearly 1,000 member-strong  San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, an organization committed to promoting a favorable business climate for emerging businesses, advance economic development, provide fair and equitable access to the market place, and support education and cultural  initiatives for the Greater San Diego Hispanic Community.

With a B.A. and an M.A. in International Business, emphasis in ethnic marketing, Caballero Sotelo has over 18 years experience in the professional field as a marketing executive for high profile national and international projects. She is fluent in Spanish and has led initiatives and high performing teams in a variety of corporate, public and non-profit settings in both the U.S. and Mexico.

Previously, as the Director of Marketing and Corporate Communications for the San Diego Workforce Partnership, a 60 million dollar plus workforce development, education and training non-profit, she oversaw brand identity for the organization and was instrumental in fostering job creation programs and strategic initiatives throughout San Diego County. Caballero Sotelo has held similar high profile executive posts for international projects such as the internationally acclaimed bi national US/Mexico public arts and residency program INSITE [1997 and 2000 versions].

She is a 2004 LEAD San Diego Alumni, a graduate of the 2005 class of the national HLI—Hispanic Leadership Institute [HOPE], and serves on the boards of the San Diego Better Business Bureau [BBB], she is a trustee of Alliant International University, a boardmember of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, the San Diego Media Arts Center [Latino Film Festival], the San Diego Latino Policy Institute (LPI), and the Small Business Development Network. She was selected as a recipient of San Diego Metropolitan Magazine’s 2004 “40 under 40 Award”, San Diego Magazine’s prestigious “50 people to watch in 2005”, the 2005 SD Business Journal Women who mean business finalist  awards, and honored as the 2005 Advocate of the Year for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO).  In 2006, she has been recognized by the City of Tijuana as an Outstanding Regional Business Leader, and is a 2006 Fellow of the Mexican American Solidarity Foundation’s Senior Fellows Program. Recently she was selected for a “Local Hero”  business award by KPBS and Union Bank to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month and the contributions of outstanding local leaders. She may be reached at: lindacm@sdchcc.com

Mauricio Berber

Director SDCHCC, RMJ Marketing

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Tenille M. Otero
Director SDCHCC, San Diego County Water Authority

Tenille M. Otero has been with the San Diego County Water Authority since May 2002 as a public relations representative. Her duties include Web site design and development, editor of the internal employee newsletter, project management of the annual report, and public and media relations support for the public affairs department.

Prior to the Water Authority, Otero worked as a membership coordinator for the award-winning San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Her duties included coordinating membership drives and recruitment, new member breakfasts,  and managing special events such as monthly networking mixers, the Annual Installation Dinner, "¡Viva el Mariachi!" Festival and the Annual Latina Women's Conference. She represented the Hispanic Chamber as spokesperson for the Latina Conference, and generated statewide coverage for this successful event, which focuses on building relationships and educating women in family and business life. She stands firmly behind MANA's mission of 'Empowering Latinas Through Leadership Development, Community Service and Advocacy'.

Otero is involved in various organizations such as Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), an Diego MANA and the San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where she has been a member of the marketing and membership committee. She is currently the legislative committee chairperson at the Hispanic chamber. She also donates her time to other community non-profit organizations and philanthropic efforts such as American Cancer Society's Making Strides, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, the American Heart Walk and the United Way Campaign. In her free time she enjoys dancing, surfing, going to the beach, reading and spending time with her friends.

Otero is from New Mexico and holds a BA in Public Relations and Spanish from the University of New Mexico.

Monica Hartman
Director SDCHCC, Sprint Nextel

Wendell B. French Email
Director SDCHCC, Wells Fargo

Wendell B. French is Vice President and Regional Manager for Community Development, Southern California Region of Wells Fargo Bank. For the past 22 years he has held a variety of management positions in the financial services industry, in loan servicing, retail loan production, community economic development and public relations. In his current position, Mr. French is responsible for managing community relations and economic development activities, including business development. He represents the company in all aspects of community outreach to assess community credit needs and the company's effectiveness in meeting those needs.

Mr. French is a graduate of Arizona Western College and the Community Economic Development (CED) program at San Diego State University. He currently serves on the board of five community-based organizations.

Patricia Chavez
Director SDCHCC, Chavez Consulting