Board
Little Village Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
Executive Chamber Directors
Antonio R. Guillen
Antonio R .Guillen SVP of Business Development for Wintrust Bank Pilsen/Little Village & Logan Square. Antonio has over 35 years’ experience in the banking industry. Antonio's expertise is business banking, specifically lending to small to medium size businesses and commercial real estate financing and development. Antonio spends much of his out in the field building relationships and supporting Community Organizations; his vast experience allows him to guide and mentor many local businesses. Antonio also serves as the President of the Hispanic Bankers Association (HBA) and currently serves on several other boards including Little Village Chamber of Commerce (LVCC), Humboldt Park Health (HPH), Chicago Latino Theater Alliance (CLATA), Alivio Medical Center, Bernie Mac Foundation (BMF), and is a Member of the Latino Advisory Council (LAC) for Catholic Charites, he is a past Board Member of many other non-for-profits. Antonio is a Chicago native and married with five children, he joined Wintrust in July of 2010.
Roman Ruiz
Roman Ruiz is a Branch and Community Development Manager for Second Federal a Division of Self-Help Federal Credit Union. With over 17 years in retail banking and mortgage lending experience, he is at the helm of the flagship branch with an excess of $91 million in deposits and over 6,600 members. The branch is in the heart of Chicago’s Little Village community, which is comprised mainly of Mexican immigrants. The resilient community boasts the second-highest tax revenue in the city. In 2013, Second Federal became a part of one of the largest Community Development Financial Institutions in the country, Self-Help Federal Credit Union. With the change came “a [renewed] commitment to delivering safe and affordable savings and transparently-priced transaction accounts and a full suite of loans – small-dollar, citizenship, unsecured consumer, auto, and mortgage – often to borrowers who could not access responsible services elsewhere.” The organization has lent over 180 million dollars to underserved communities in the Chicagoland area. Roman understands the struggles that many of his customers face, as he emigrated to the United States from Mexico at nine years of age and was raised by a single mother. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern Illinois University, is a 2017 Opportunity Finance Network Leadership fellow and is a Negocios Now Latinos 40 under 40 for 2017. His civic engagement includes being on the board of directors for San Jose Obrero Mission, SER Central States and the Little Village Chamber of Commerce.
Jason Roberts
Jason Roberts' family migrated from the Caribbean to pursue better opportunities in America. His Father’s first job in America was driving a taxi cab in New York, while his mother worked as a Nanny. His father then went on to study at New York Community college and after graduating he began his career in banking. He later went on to follow his entrepreneurial spirit and started his first Automotive Dealership and Jason Roberts joined him soon thereafter as a porter washing floors in the service department in 1988.
Jason Roberts started his Automotive career, working as a porter at his Father’s first dealership, while still in High school. Jason Roberts graduated High School and left his Father’s business to attend The Ohio State University. There he studied Business Economics and after completing his fourth year, he returned to sell cars at his Father’s dealership. Jason has held every key position in his Father’s business from porter, to salesman, and is now the Managing Partner of Advantage Chevrolet of Hodgkins. Since he became Managing Partner, they have expanded their business from one dealership to currently three dealerships.
Jason is very passionate about giving back to the community he serves. He has been a proud sponsor of the Little Village Scholarship drive since 2007. He has sponsored the Little Village Little Baseball League since 2012. Jason Roberts also established the Annual Advantage Chevrolet Pretty in Pink Walkathon for the Fight Against Breast Cancer in 2010. He strongly believes that a business is an extension of the neighborhood it serves and should support the community wholeheartedly. It is those values which he believes has allowed his business to grow and prosper through the ever-changing economic environment.
Mayra Khan
Mayra Khan is a seasoned operations and business development executive with a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship. As a natural builder, innovator and visionary with a passion for business and consulting, Mayra quickly discovered that her over 12 years of experience in the driving school industry would give her more than drive: it uncovered her talent to drive business, define opportunities and create profitable efficiencies with the use of technology.
In 2020, she founded TeamFicient, a growing women-owned and certified company created with the idea of transforming different businesses and making them more efficient by adding trained remote professionals with experience that match every client’s needs. The necessity of keeping a business afloat under any circumstance led Mayra to creating this successful company which provides efficient services to any type of businesses that can manage their operations virtually. Through TeamFicient she’s managed to open many doors for talented professionals world wide who seek new experiences of growth as well as for businesses who seek a new and innovative way of managing their companies. Owning these businesses with offices not only in the United States, but in other countries as well, has provided Mayra with skills that are needed nationwide to source and train only the most qualified individuals.
In 2023 Mayra proudly opened the doors of MyDrive Academy ushering in a new era of excellence in the driving school industry. With a team of exceptionally talented managing members at the helm, each possessing years of valuable experience in the field, the academy is poised to become a driving force in the realm of driver’s education.
Board Directors
Mario Gamino
Responsible, motivated, and organized individual that likes to be challenged. Being a member will further allow me to contribute to the continued growth and success of the community and its organizations. My management, sales, and work experience will allow me to contribute and be an asset for the people within the community. Experienced Outbound Sales Specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry. Skilled in Banking, Credit Analysis, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Lending, and Merchant Services. Strong sales professional with twenty-three years of retail and management experience. I began my career at PNC Bank in 2007 and have held several rolls including Business Development Officer for the Experiential Chicago/Wisconsin team and have been the Branch Manager at the Little Village location since 2021.
Marco A. Rodriguez
Marco A. Rodriguez is an innovative and energized leader in business operations, recognized by Crain’s Chicago Business as a rising star. Marco is the Senior Vice President for San Jose Imports, Inc a 25-year importer and wholesaler of confectionary products from Mexico and Latin America. Marco is directly responsible for redeveloping the company supply chain in Mexico and the US, while restructuring the sales department to expand reach in target areas to effectively increase sales. Marco also manages the day-to-day operations of the Dulcelandia Candy Store brand, as well as its e-commerce website. Marco effectively implemented a dual language advertising campaign focused on news media and influencers to expand reach and drive new consumer traffic to each physical retail store location as well as the newly redesigned e-commerce site. Marco also updated and streamlined the customer experience in each physical store location while simultaneously opening new physical store locations in high traffic areas with a focus on the general market to bring a bit of Mexican culture to all neighborhoods. Prior to joining San Jose Imports, Inc., Marco was the operations manger at Lobo De Mar Restaurant where he increased sales during his tenure as a direct result of having initiated a multi-media advertising campaign to attract new customers. Marco also managed food costs below 10% while establishing systematically independent supply chains, improving efficiency and wait times by implementing new operational programs. Marco received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Loyola University Chicago, is a member of the Board of the ACERO Charter School Network, a Board Member of the Loyola GOLD (Graduates of the Last Decade), and a Member of Crain’s Chicago Business 20 in their 20s 2017.
Vicente Torres
Tecnicentro Automotriz Inc has provided Chicago and the surrounding area with five-star auto repair since 1996. We provide reliable, high quality auto repair services to our customers at affordable prices. Call today to schedule an appointment at 773-579-0118 or come by the shop at 3017 W 26th St in Chicago, IL.
It's our mission to provide the Chicago area and its communities with reliable, affordable automotive maintenance and repair services. You will not find the same level of professionalism and service that our auto mechanics provide anywhere else around town! Our highly trained auto maintenance and repair specialists will provide the best service in Chicago on your vehicle.
Abad Lopez
Abad Lopez was born in the Little Village community where he attended Eli Whitney Elementary School. Abad Lopez is an equity partner with the law firm of Dykema Gossett PLLC, a national law firm with 13 offices in Illinois, California, Michigan, Texas, Minnesota, and Washington, D.C. Abad leads Dykema’s Chicago labor and employment practice and is also a member of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee. During his 20 years of experience, Abad’s practice has focused on providing labor and employment counseling and litigation advice to public and private employers. Abad’s clients include among the largest private and public employers in the U.S., focusing on issues relating to harassment, discrimination, retaliation, non-competition agreements, employee privacy, and wage and hour practices, among other matters. Abad was previously on the Board of the Hispanic National Bar Foundation, which focuses on providing mentoring and financial support to Latino college students interested in pursuing a legal career. Abad obtained his Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor degrees from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.
Christina Gonzalez
Having stepped into the business at age of 14, Christina began from the ground up, working every position in the family-owned business that first opened its doors in 1973. Working alongside her Father, Christina honed her customer service skills running the Front of the House, developed new recipes, menu costing and design, in addition to maintaining an HR Office and overseeing payroll accounts. Always remaining flexible and open to current and new trends in the industry while maintaining a presence in social media marketing. At 19, she joined her father in overseeing the construction of the current building that became the largest Taqueria in the Little Village Corridor and boasts seating for 200+ with the first and only Drive Thru in Little Village for Tacos.
While working at the restaurant, Christina graduated from Columbia College with a degree in Fine Arts as well as Graphic Design, then returning to school to further enhance her knowledge of Accounting and Business Management. Joined by her brother, and her father, they initiated their Franchising Group and have grown their group to 18 locations, which includes a commissary.
Christina is leading the Los Comales Catering division, working with corporations such as Amazon, Google, Hospitals and Universities. Specializing in large scale catering for Quick Grab and Go Lunch options in large facilities.
She, along with her family, are huge proponents of supporting their communities and are fully invested in the youth and future of these communities, donating scholarships, awards and sponsorships to various organizations.
Christina currently sits on the Board of the Illinois Restaurant Association, The Little Village Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
Luis Vasquez
Luis Vazquez is an accomplished entrepreneur and construction executive with more than two decades of leadership in general contracting, real estate development, and advanced manufacturing.
He began his career as a carpenter, gaining hands-on experience that laid the foundation for his success. He is the founder of Toro Construction Corp, along with affiliated companies in building technologies, investments, and renewable energy.
Throughout his career, Mr. Vazquez has led the delivery of critical community assets including schools, affordable housing, libraries, parks, retail, and healthcare facilities, consistently advancing equitable growth and long-term value for clients and stakeholders.
Honorary Board Directors
Salvador
Pedroza
Salvador Pedroza
Salvador Pedroza immigrated to the United States from Ocampo Guanajuato, Mexico in 1974. He currently resides in the State of IL with his wife of Imelda. Salvador and Imelda have been married for 28 years and have three children Salvador Jr. (27) Ivan (26) and Alejandro (24). They also have 3 grandchildren Marcel (9), Alejandro Jr. (6) and Sofia (4).
Salvador is the President of Economy Commercial Roofing, a licensed and bonded roofing company he established in 1988. For the past 29 years, Salvador Pedroza has provided expert roofing services to the greater Chicagoland area.
Salvador is involved in several community organizations. For the past 29 years, he has been a Board Member of the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, the largest Mexican-American Chamber in the Midwest. He also held the position of President of the Board from 2003-2007. Chairman from 2007-2015.
Salvador is also an Advisor on Local Board of Juntos Podemos (Together We Can). He was also a board member of the General Woods Boys & Girls Club, President of the Club Companeros Unidos de Ocampo Guanajuato. For several years, while residing in the City of Chicago, Salvador organized and participated in community Block Clubs.
Salvador Pedroza has committed himself to the community for more than 30 years.
Mike
Moreno
Mike Moreno
Immigrating to the United States in 1960. Mike Moreno is the founder of Moreno’s Liquors, which has been a staple of the Little Village community for more than 41yrs. Over this time he also played a key role in uniting the Latino merchant organizations of the community to join the Little Village Chamber of Commerce. Serving as the president of the Chamber from 1987-1991, Mike Moreno helped in the creation of the iconic neighborhood arch, and has been heavily involved in community activism and charity work. He also served as an SSA #25 commissioner during the mid 2000s
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