Albert was born and raised in Rancho Cucamonga and currently lives in San Bernardino. He is a municipal attorney at Best Best & Krieger LLP. Albert graduated from Damien High School, Pitzer College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Studies, Harvard Divinity School with a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies, and Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree. He is passionate about diversity in higher education. He is a co-founder and board member of the Hispanic Bar Association of the Inland Empire.
Rudy Lopez was born in Los Angeles and has been serving his community since 1998. He started his career in law enforcement with the Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department. In 2002, Rudy transitioned to the Ontario Police Department and currently works as a Captain assigned to the Special Operations Bureau.
In 2008, Rudy earned a bachelor’s degree from CSU Long Beach. In August of 2020, Rudy earned a Master of Science degree in Leadership and Management from the University of La Verne. In his free time, Rudy enjoys camping and boating with his family.
Tony was born and raised in Pasadena and currently lives in nearby Eastvale. Tony attended BYU for his undergraduate degree and then University of Redlands for his Masters and is currently a Senior Manager of Environmental, Health & Safety at the Walmart Distribution Center Chino. As a first-generation college graduate, Tony feels it is important to get out into the community and show kids that he was at one point in his life just like them and was able to dream big and become a leader in the community through furthering his education. He is a Coach in his free time and enjoys playing golf, especially at the annual Promise Scholars Tournament.
Michael Gerken is the Ontario Fire Department’s 33rd Fire Chief. He was born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley and has been serving the City of Ontario since 1998. He is focused on facilitating the personal and professional growth of fire department members to enhance their ability to meet the expanding needs of our community.
Chief Gerken holds a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University, a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from San Diego State University, and is a 28-year licensed paramedic in California.
In his free time, Chief Gerken enjoys spending time with his wife of 26 years, three children, and friends, and can often be found golfing, snow skiing and watching sports.
Mr. Mohammad joined Kaiser Permanente in 1999. Throughout his 25-year career, he has held several key positions in Quality, Operations, and was appointed Chief Operating Officer in May 2016. He is a trusted partner to physician leaders, managers, and staff and values the importance of our “speak up” culture for the benefit of our patients. Ahmad is a dedicated, enthusiastic, committed, and skilled leader who understands what it takes to advance outcomes in this competitive market. His energy and passion are grounded in humility to serve and inspire others. In his free time, he explores the peacefulness of nature by hiking, playing a good basketball game, seeking out great Mediterranean restaurants, and spending quality time with his family.
Jennifer McLain Hiramoto is the Economic Development Director for the City of Ontario. Prior to her role, she served the City of Glendale, where she has served as the Acting Assistant Director of Community Development. Jennifer earned a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Southern California in 2011, and obtained her Bachelor’s Degree from San Jose State University.
Gary Ovitt is a native of Ontario. He attended San Antonio and Hawthorne Elementary schools, as well as, Vina F. Danks Junior High. Gary graduated from Chaffey High School and the University of Redlands and returned to Chaffey High School to teach for 35 years. He retired from serving 22 years as an elected official as a Councilman and Mayor in Ontario and as a San Bernardino County Supervisor. He now also serves as a Governing Board Member for Chaffey Community College, nonprofit board member for the Ontario Chaffey Community Showband, Children’s’ Fund, the West End YMCA Board and as a Commissioner on the Ontario Parks and Recreation Commission. During his leisure time you can find him reading, traveling and playing golf.
Scott Ochoa is the City Manager for the City of Ontario. Closing the Achievement Gap is essential for cultivating a positive community of caring and compassionate citizens. Scott shares “as the first member of my family to attend college, I know what a distant dream that goal can seem like – until it no longer does because the community rallies around its youth to illuminate an otherwise darkened path.” Scott was born and raised in Azusa, CA and now resides in the City of Ontario with his family. Scott relaxes with music, movies, sports, and by building things by hand. He enjoys time with friends, family, and dogs: Trixie, Roxie, Dottie, Tilly, and Ziggy.
Kim Tovar is the Executive Director of the Ontario Montclair Schools Foundation and the Director of Secondary Education for the Ontario Montclair School District. She was born in Pomona, California. She acquired her B.A. from CSUSB, her M.Ed from the University of La Verne and her Business Management/CBO certification from USC. She graduated from CJUHSD and is passionate about supporting students, families and educators.
Dr. Macias is the Deputy Superintendent of the Human Resources Division for the Ontario-Montclair School District. A proud product of this District, he deeply values the support and mentorship from family, friends, and educators that made higher learning a reality and transformed his life’s trajectory. Dr. Macias is dedicated to fostering a commitment to a clear and compelling vision that drives higher performance and supports standards for all students to achieve their personal best, all towards a common goal of hope and accomplishment. He enjoys sports, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
Dr. Kern Oduro is the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services for the Chaffey Joint Union High School District. He received his Doctorate of Philosophy in Education from Claremont Graduate University in 2012. Prior to becoming Assistant Superintendent, he served as principal at Colony High School and Rancho Cucamonga High School.
Mia is the Early Program Supervisor. She studied at UCLA earning a degree in Mathematics. During her free time, she likes to read, crochet, and spend time with her family.
Ráelyne is a proud product of OMSD schools (Hawthorne Elementary and Vina Danks Middle School) and graduated from Chaffey High School in 2013. She graduated from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, with a B.A. in Women’s and Gender Studies before returning home to give back to the community that raised her. Ráelyne is passionate about college access for all students, especially those who are first-generation. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her family.
Catherine was born and raised in the Inland Empire and graduated from CSU San Bernardino. While there, she came to understand that many students shared similar experiences because they were also first generation students. Catherine chose to serve with Promise Scholars as an AmeriCorps VIP Fellow because the program provided universal college-access to communities like hers. She developed a passion for helping students realize that college is a place for them. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her two dogs, discovering new places to eat, and going on trips.
Amadeo is the Promise Scholars Advisor for Chaffey High School. A proud Chaffey High School alum, he graduated from Chaffey College and then transferred to UC Merced with a degree in English. In his spare time, he likes to go café hopping and watch movies.
Vanessa is the Promise Scholars Advisor for Montclair High School. She graduated from CSU San Bernardino with a degree in Public Health. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her friends at the beach and trying new trendy food spots.
Leslie is the High School Promise Scholar Advisor for Ontario High School. She studied at CSULA with a degree in Urban Learning. In her spare time, she enjoys the outdoors/nature and likes to go running, hiking, and exploring.
Olivia is the Middle Program Promise Scholar Advisor. She studied at UC Davis earning a degree in Physiology, Neurobiology, and Behavior. During her free time, she likes to try new boba cafes, bike with her dog Lilo, and watching k-dramas.
Joyce is the Promise Scholar Advisor for the Early Learning Program. She studied at CSUF and earned a degree in Animation and Entertainment Art. In her spare time, she enjoys playing Zelda and Final Fantasy games, and reading Japanese Literature.
Adam is the Outreach and Engagement Promise Scholar Advisor. He studied Graphic Design at Cerritos Community College. In his free time, he enjoys playing video games and pampering his spoiled dog. He plans to further his education in the study of Video Game Design.
