Inland Empire Region Leadership

Our mission is to serve as a conduit for the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce in delivering resources to our local chamber members and affiliates in serving the regions Hispanic Business owners.

Meet the Team

Events Calendar

News & Updates

Chambers Members & Affiliates

Meet Our Team

Our Inland Empire Region Leadership is made up of seasoned community leaders and experienced business professionals that lend their time knowledge and experience to help our business community thrive.

Sal Ayala

IE Region Chair

bio

Salvador Ayala Jr. is the CEO and President of UNIKO Enterprises, Inc. DBA UNIKO BIZ Solutions, UNIKO Media Group, UNISERV Financial and Gellyfish Commercial.

Sal has a passion for his family and living life to the fullest. He has three children, two grandchildren, and a beautiful wife. He loves horses, boats, and dirt bikes; basically, anything exciting and outdoors! Sal is the youngest in a family of five sisters. He was brought to the United States at the age of five and he was quick to learn that hard work and perseverance pay off.

Sal believes any business should have the same core values as a family, and entrepreneurs must find a healthy balance between the two. Sal became an entrepreneur in 1996, when he opened his first insurance brokerage. He has owned and sold insurance brokerages and has owned Allstate agencies for 7 years of his career. In addition, he has also started multiple companies, from real estate and mortgage brokerages to a construction company.

In 2003 he franchised his business model combining insurance, mortgage and real estate. While building the franchise and becoming very involved in the technology and marketing sides of the franchise, Sal discovered his passion for digital marketing and the relation between marketing and technology. He then decided to offer these services outside his franchise to other businesses, starting UNIKO Enterprises, Inc.; DBA UNIKO Media Group and UNIKO BIZ Solutions.

His entrepreneurial spirit comes in large part from listening to his sisters talk about finding ways to supplement the family’s income. From selling clothes at the swap meet to preparing taxes for friends and family members at the kitchen table until finally being able to open their insurance agency and tax office.

To this day, Sal still owns an insurance agency, is thriving in the Online Digital Marketing world, and loves helping new entrepreneurs energize their ideas as well as helping existing entrepreneurs grow their businesses to the next level.

Sal serves on several non-profit boards to help his community and advocate on behalf of small businesses. Sal is the currently the IE Region Chair of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, Co-Chair of The Greater Riverside Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Director on The Greater Coachella Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and finally Director on UNIDOS For board. Sal is always looking for ways to give back to his community.

Carmen Lainez

IE Region Director

bio

Carmen Lainez, I.E. Regional Director, emigrated from Nicaragua to the United States when she was 5 years old.  Ms. Lainez attended the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) for undergrad and obtained her degree in Political Science with a minor in Law & Society.  Ms. Lainez then attended Southwestern Law School where she received her Juris Doctorate and is an active member of the State Bar California.

Ms. Lainez is an advocate for social justice and a lawyer who stands for the rights of others.  She acquired international experience working with U.S. Aid in Nicaragua; and was instrumental in helping the Nicaraguan Government implement the DR-CAFTA Agreement through comprehensive proposals submitted to the country’s legislature.

At present, Ms. Lainez is Corporate Counsel for DMCG, Inc. dba Bail Hotline Bail Bonds, Fugitive Recovery Investigations, Inc., and the McGuire Restaurant Group.   Her private practice, Lainez Law Group, is focused on areas which further equality: such as Immigration, Family, and Criminal law.  She helps families and individuals successfully obtain legal status in the United States; prevents persons wrongfully detained from unlawful removal, and generously provides counsel to many regardless of their income.

Sylvia Duarte

IE Region Director

bio

Sylvia S. Duarte,President/CEO Antelope Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

I am currently retired, but have a business that my HusbandStarted, Moonlite Sounds We provide PA’s & Photography for business event, weddings, quinceaneras.

I worked for Penny Lane Foster Agency, where I recruited and trained potential parents to become Foster Parents, this was a passion that I had being able to connect childrenwith parents. I did this for 20 years, during this time is when Ibecame involved with the Antelope Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, I have been involved with them for over 16 years.

I also serve on the Advisory Board for Mental Health America,The Palmdale Woman’s Club, Bomber Townand Soroptimist InternationalAntelope Valley.I am very involved in the Communityand our Veteransand our Breweries.

I have been marriedfor 25 years but have been with my Husband for 37 years, I have two sons Aaron and Mychal and a grandson named Andy who just graduated from high school. I also have a dog named Maxx.

Sal Ayala

IE Region Chair

bio

Salvador Ayala Jr. is the CEO and President of UNIKO Enterprises, Inc. DBA UNIKO BIZ Solutions, UNIKO Media Group, UNISERV Financial and Gellyfish Commercial.

Carmen Lainez

IE Region Director

bio

Sylvia Duarte

IE Region Director

bio

Sylvia S. Duarte,President/CEO Antelope Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

I am currently retired, but have a business that my HusbandStarted, Moonlite Sounds We provide PA’s & Photography for business event, weddings, quinceaneras.

Edward Ornelas

IE Regional Associate Director

bio

Edward Ornelas, Jr. is a Los Angeles native, however he likes to tell people that the Inland Empire adopted him in 2010. Having worked with many small businesses to enhance their brand, Edward has the experience, passion and drive to succeed in any environment. A “think outside the box” attitude coupled with an unorthodox marketing approach is what sets him apart from the rest.

Edward has a gift of creating, envisioning and executing marketing strategies for businesses and nonprofit organizations. Having worked with clients across the private and public sector, Edward is making a name for himself as a person who gets things done!

Currently, Edward sits on the board of: 1) American Red Cross, 2) Inland Empire United Way & 3) Inland Empire Tourism Council.

Additionally he is a newly appointed member of the California Inland Empire District Export Council, appointed by the United States Secretary of Commerce.

Rachel Carmona

IE Region Associate Director

bio

Rachel Carmona is a community leader, Campaign Specialist and Social media manager, who serves her community, works with politicians and community partners on campaigns, manages events and social media. Prior to working campaigns and starting a staff service social media business, Rachel spent twenty years as an educator, community worker/liaison, advocate for the San Bernardino County and Los Angeles County Offices of Education and other community organizations. After several successful years working with students with disabilities, alternative education students, foster youth, school staff, parents, probation officers, social workers , and group home staff, Rachel now serves her community, clients ( political and other ) by working campaign, managing social media and advocating on behalf of community members, small businesses, domestic violence and human trafficking victims, the homeless and youth.

Rachel served a four year term as a Board Member for the City of Ontario Library Board of Trustees. She was voted in as Secretary, Vice President and President .

Currently Rachel serves as a Board member for The Arts Area , a nonprofit based in Ontario, working and supporting Artists in the Inland Empire .

Rachel also serves as an Assistant Director Inland Empire for the California Hispanic Chambers Commerce who support and advocate for California minority businesses.

Rachel holds a BA in behavioral science from the University Cal State Pomona California.

Rachel enjoys volunteering, organizing events, crafting and traveling.

Monique Manzanarez

IE Region Associate Director

bio

Born in 1978
Graduated from Mt. San Antonio College in 1999
Became a Correctional officer at 21yrs. old, forced to medically retire after 9yrs
Community volunteer for numerous organizations within Central California for over 10 years
Received Bachelor’s degree in Human Services at University of Phoenix in 2014
Was the Director of Community Relations for San Gabriel Valley Conservation Corps
Previously served on the Board of Directors for Casa de Música, Visalia Rotary, Tulare/Kings Hispanic Chamber, Pomona Rotary, and Pomona Chamber of Commerce.
And currently is on the Board of Directors for the San Gabriel Valley Conservation Corps ,the Co-Chair for Pomona’s Promise /Economic Development Committee Initiative,Co-Chair for the College, Career & Workforce Development Task Force and LA/P3 and Associate Director for the Inland Empire Region- California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Monique has over 14 years of experience with Local, Regional and State Chambers throughout California and understands firsthand the “VALUE” that chambers provide to a business/organization of any size. Monique sits on numerous committees which strive to support Economic Development, Career Readiness and Workforce Development. As President & CEO of The Pomona Chamber of Commerce, Monique is fully committed to supporting the efforts of city’s leadership and the community to help Pomona thrive and grow!

Nicolas G. Perez

IE Region Associate Director

bio

Nicolas Guillen Perez is the Managing Partner & Founder of Blu Division Ventures, LP. Additionally, he is the President of Blu Dragon Consulting and Gnosis Insurance & Financial Strategies.

Nicolas is the quintessential Entrepreneur with a major focus in the sectors of Financial Planning, Fund Raising, Real Estate Development, and specializing in Veteran’s Job and Housing opportunities. Under the Blu Division Ventures umbrella, he has launched the H.E.M.P. Initiative which stands for: Help Employ Military Personale. This Foundation acts as a resource prism for veterans to be able to acquire certifications to gain increased income opportunities, job opportunities, housing, health, and their complete, military benefit resources.

Nicolas has an extensive background in Commodities, Real Estate, Fund Raising & Financial Services, and Family Planning. With business, family, and personal planning which includes, Full Business Benefits Planning (401K Maximization, Tax-Free Income Strategies, Group Benefits), Native American Benefits & Investments Senior Benefits. He believes that securing your full financial future and planning your legacy should be priority number 1 for everyone! Nicolas has been in finance since 2003 and a licensed Financial Advisor since 2009. He was in the corporate world for nearly 9 years with New York Life and New Yor Life Securities as an Advisor and agent Mentor then going independent and launching his boutique financial practice, Gnosis Insurance & Financial Strategies in March of 2018 and was LinkedIn’s America’s Top 100 in Finance in 2019.

Nicolas is a true, Native son of California whose roots go back to the early 1700s in his hometown of Pasadena, CA. His Grandmother, Eulalia Perez de Guillen, 8 generations back, is memorialized at the San Gabriel Mission, the second Mission ordained in California. He attended Cal Poly Pomona for his undergrad majoring in Architecture/Urban Planning and minoring in Economics. He is currently Completing a “CORe” Graduate Degree at Harvard Business School.

Nicolas has a genuine desire to help others reach their goals, with his motto being…” I would rather create a tide which rises ALL ships”. Outside of just business, Nicolas has a deep dedication for elevating non-profits and for community development and currently sits on the organizations listed below. He plays Ice Hockey and loves old-school hip hop, and both Jazz & Latin Jazz but one of his favorite past-times is spending time with his Nephew, 3 nieces, and 4 godchildren!

UCLA Scholarship Foundation – Fundraising & Marketing Chair
Cal State San Bernardino, Grad & Business School’s Deans Advisory Board
Black Chamber of Commerce, I.E. Co-Founder & Ambassador
The Unforgettable’s Foundation – Marketing Chair & Investments Committee Co-Chair
Miracle & Dreams Foundation – Co-Founder / Co-Chair
NAIFA – National Assoc. of Insurance & Financial Advisors – Political Involvement Committee Chair
Caramel Connections Foundation – Founding Board Member & Past Chair

EVENTS CALENDAR

Name: One-IE Chambers Golf Tournament – Mixer
Start: 2021-04-25
End: 2021-04-25
Location: Indian Wells Golf Resort

We provide a full schedule of events that will allow you to connect and network with other companies, showcase your business and keep up-to-date with the latest news, issues and sector insight.

DON’T MISS ANYTHING!