Board of Directors
Rita D. Hernández, Ph.D. from Loyola University Chicago, former educator in the Chicago Public Schools and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, is a community-based scholar. Her documentary projects consist of: “A Portrait of Eight Mexican Leaders” from South Chicago (1978) and “Latino Murals of Chicago” (1979). She co-founded the Museum of Mexican Culture and History of Chicago and planned the first graduate courses, “Enhancing Teacher Knowledge of Mexican Culture and History” for teachers, administrators, and community members for the Illinois State Board of Education and the Chicago Public Schools. Conferences initiated are Chicago’s first Hispanic Civil Rights Conference (1994) and annual Mexican/ Chicana Educational Summits (2002-2006). Publications include: “Hector P. Garcia, 1914-1996,” an encyclopedia article (Sharpe Reference, 2010); The Silent Minority: Mexican Americans in CPS, 1970-2001 (Scholars Press, 2014); and most recently, lead editor of Chicago Latina Trailblazers: Testimonios of Political Activism (University of Illinois Press, 2024).
Dr. Louise Martinez Eggert is a retired Chicago Public School principal, an award-winning educator providing Educational Leadership. Tremendous experience with the Chicago Public Schools system for forty-two years of service. She was very instrumental for implementing the initiative of the Bilingual Education Act in the state of Illinois and providing Bilingual Education for all Chicago Public Schools. She received a BA degree from Chicago State University, Education with endorsement in Mathematics, a MA from St. Xavier University with endorsement in Administration. Thesis: Implementation of Bilingual Education in the State of Illinois. She also earned an Ed.D. From National-Louis University with Superintendent Endorsement. Dissertation: Stages of Staff Development. She has been a presenter for The Illinois Resource Center conference in the topic of "Parents as Digital Leaders to Support Their Kids in Mathematics and the recipient of "Women Who Have Paved Our Path" by The International Women of Influence Committee (2021). Dr. Louise Martinez Eggert is currently the Vice-President for Trailblazer Foundation, NFP. The Mission is To Increase Student Achievement Through Reading. Promoting Social-Emotional Learning Skills and Critical Thinking Skills for all students, schools, and community organizations.
Major Adam Mendez, Jr., was born, raised and educated in Chicago, Illinois. He served in the U.S. Army from 1975 to 2000. After, he transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve in 1978 and completed Officer Candidate Training. Major Mendez has served in various staff command positions such as Commander, 413th Replacement Detachment from 1984 to 1986 and Commanding Officer, 478th Personnel Service Company from 1992 to 1995. Major Mendez served his country honorably for 25 years, retiring in 2000. Among his decorations are the National Defense Service and the Meritorious Service Medals.
Currently, Mr. Mendez, a licensed Real Estate Managing Broker, is presently Managing Broker of Realty One Group-Heartland with offices in Tinley Park and Homer Glen, Illinois. His work is in not-or-profit and veteran, government, and civic organizations. He is a recipient of the 2023 and 2025 “Best Managing Broker” in Chicago's Southlands.
Dr. Ted Rivera is an accomplished R&D Executive with 30+ years of progressive leadership experience across top global food and beverage corporations including PepsiCo, Gatorade, Quaker, Tropicana and Frito Lay. Ted Earned several Technical Degrees in Science and Engineering including a Post Doctorate Professional Diploma from the University of Ireland, a PhD in Food Science & Engineering from Rutgers University, and a Master of Science from the University of Illinois. Ted published studies in the Journal of Food Quality and is a recipient of 12 Patent families across the globe.
Jose S. Rivera is an entrepreneur with more than 24 years of proven success in retail operations and commercial real estate. He is the founder of Riveras Grocery Corp and Lynn-Mart Corp, widely recognized as “La Alcancía” Super Market, a rapidly expanding supermarket chain known for high-quality fresh products, competitive pricing, and a strong customer-centered approach. Additionally, with his wife Maggie, he owns and manages a diverse portfolio of multi-tenant commercial properties across Illinois, including several shopping centers and retail complexes. He has also served the public sector as a police officer and city inspector. Currently, he serves as City Commissioner for the City of Woodstock. He holds a M.A. in Business Technology. He is committed to strengthening his community with philanthropic initiatives while mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs. This reflects his dedication to economic growth and leadership development. Jose exemplifies hard work, strategic vision, and perseverance in highly competitive industries.
Frances R. Aparicio is Professor Emerita at Northwestern University. She previously taught at Stanford University, University of Arizona, University of Michigan, and University of Illinois at Chicago. Her research interests include Latina and Latino literary and cultural studies, the cultural politics of U.S. Latino/a languages, Latino/a popular music and dance, literary and cultural translation, cultural hybridity, transnationalism, Latinidad, and mixed Latino/a identities. She is author of the award-winning Listening to Salsa: Gender, Latin Popular Music and Puerto Rican Cultures (Wesleyan 1998), and co-editor of various critical anthologies. A founding editor of the Latinos in Chicago and the Midwest Book Series at the University of Illinois Press, she has facilitated and fostered book publications and new research on Latino/as in the Midwest. Among her more recent books are Negotiating Latinidad (2013) and Replaying Marc Anthony (2025). She served as President of the Latino Studies Association from 2023-2025.
M. Frank Avila is an environmentalist, Professional Engineer, and Professional Land Surveyor with a distinguished career in civil engineering, public service, and environmental policy. He previously owned Avila & Associates, Inc., a civil engineering firm, and served multiple terms as an elected Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, including as Finance Chair. His work has focused on infrastructure, environmental protection, and public health with an emphasis on sustainable land and water management.
Armando B. Rendón is an essayist, author, and founder/publisher of the Somos en escrito Literary Foundation (2016), which publishes Somos en escrito Magazine (2009) and Press (2020). He wrote Chicano Manifesto, a seminal work on the Chicano Movement, first printed in 1971 by Macmillan Company, with its 50th anniversary edition published by Somos en escrito Press in 2021. He also authored an award-winning four-part Young Adult series set in San Antonio, Texas, The Adventures of Noldo and His Magical Scooter (2013 to 2015), The Wizard of the Blue Hole, (2018), all Starry Night Publishing, and numerous essays on Chicanismo. Originally from San Antonio, he now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.