The Valdosta Latino Association is a Georgia non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation.
Our Board has adopted a formal Activities Plan, which includes two annual Festival events and projects in ESL (English as a Second Language) education and job training.
Our Board of Directors includes a variety of accomplished South Georgia residents who are active in education, business, and social services:
President
ARTHUR MORIN
Founder of BrandSouth Marketing
Arthur Morin is the Founder of BrandSouth Marketing in Valdosta. Arthur was born in France and raised in the USA. He has degrees in History and Law from Columbia University in New York, and an MBA from INSEAD in France. His firm provides general marketing and advertising to regional and national clients. His passion for the Spanish language began living in New York, and living in Madrid, Spain for 15 years.
Vice President
MIGUEL VICENTE
Library Director of South Georgia Regional Libraries
Miguel Vicente is the Library Director of the South Georgia Regional Library System. Miguel was born and raised in Cuba, and has lived in the United States since 1998. He has lived in Miami, New England, Athens, GA, and now South Georgia. Miguel has worked in the field of Library Science for 16 years, having previously worked as Spanish language teacher. He is the proud father of an active teenager.
Secretary
MARIBEL TREJO
Field Project Coordinator at Florida State University
Maribel Trejo was born into a family of migrant farm workers and has lived in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. She has a BA in Sociology from VSU and has a passion for education and families. Maribel works as a Field Project Coordinator with Florida State University, specializing in community outreach to the migrant farm worker community in our area. Maribel is the mother of two active little girls.
Treasurer
LUKE VOIGT
Financial Advisor at The Investment Centre
Luke Voigt is a Financial Advisor with the Investment Centre at CBC Bank. He has a Bachelor of Business in Finance degree from VSU and an MBA from Mercer University. Luke has a great love for the Spanish language and Latino cultures, and he’s excited about contributing his administrative and business skills to the development of the VLA. Luke is the proud father of two little girls.
Additional Board Members
PASTOR JOSEPH MARTINEZ
Senior Pastor at Cristo Mi Roca Church
Joseph Martinez “Pastor Joe” is an Ordained Minister at Universal Life Ministries and a graduate of Southern Theology Bible Institute. He is the Senior Pastor at Cristo Mi Roca Church in Morven, and the Owner/Operator of Sazon Event Catering of Valdosta. He is the proud father of three wonderful adult children, and grandfather of two.
MARY KING
Bilingual Career Specialist at Goodwill of the Southern Rivers, Inc.
Mary King is a Bilingual Career Specialist with Goodwill of the Southern Rivers, Inc. She has more than 20 years of experience, and studied Marketing at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College and Valdosta State University. Her passion is to help people with the resources they need for families, education, and career growth.
IVELISSE TORRES HOWELL
Case Manager with Telamon Corporation
Ivelisse Torres Howell is a Case Manager with Telamon Corporation, a national community service organization. Ivelisse has a BA in Psychology from Capella University, and an Associates’ Degree in Early Childhood Education. Ivelisse is a Certified Interpreter and Translator and her passion is helping people to progress and achieve their goals. Ivelisse is the mother of two accomplished young daughters.
FELIPE PACHECO
State Monitor Advocate at the Technical College System of Georgia
Felipe Pacheco monitors, reviews, and evaluates statewide delivery of employment services to migrant and seasonal farmworkers. He serves as a liaison to workforce partners and other interested external parties in matters related to federal regulations on the delivery of employment services to migrant and seasonal farmworkers. He networks with farmers, UGA extension offices, and NFJP Partner Agencies. He is also a board member of the Georgia Farmworker Health Program. Felipe has studied Banking and Finance at Wiregrass Technical College. He is the proud father of two daughters.