Armando is an active member of our FCC Board of Directors. When we say "active," we mean it! Armando, an avid cyclist, logs hundreds of miles on his bicycle each month. Next month he will convert that energy from pedals to pediatric surgical equipment for the hospital. As co-founder and co-chairman of the "Salsa Ride" fundraiser (along with Hospital Director, Dr. Antonio Loaiza), he has dedicated hours of personal time to organize the event and recruit participants. He explored south San Diego on two wheels to chart the beautiful route that approximately 500 riders will enjoy on event day. Through Armando's recruitment efforts, the Salsa Ride (second annual) will have dignitaries and cycling heroes in attendance including Grand Marshal Andrew Erickson (US Consul General serving in Tijuana), Remedios Gomez Arnau (Mexico Consul General serving in San Diego), Lisa Stockley (Canadian Consul serving in San Diego), Serge Dedina (Mayor of Imperial Beach) and David Alvarez (San Diego City Council Member). Mexico's national champion cyclist, Raul Alcala, will be among the cycling supporters. Armando's roots go back to a paternal grandfather who arrived in Baja California in 1913. His mother and 3 sisters moved to San Diego in 1963. As a high school freshman he discovered his God's gift for running and excelled as a middle distance runner. He set several national records and is a member of the San Diego Hall of Champions. He attended El Cajon Valley High School, Grossmont College and the University of Southern California. He has long been dedicated to children's causes and participates in many community related organizations. In 2008, Armando toured the Hospital Infantil de las Californias and immediately felt aligned with the vision of the institution and that no child, from either side of the border, is turned away from medical services due to inability to pay. In true "changemaker" style, Armando is the founder and president of "Club Amigos del Hospital Infantil," a San Diego organization registered with the Mexican Consulate to promote the Hospital Infantil de las Californias. The club allows members and donors to take advantage of the Mexican Federal Program, SEDESOL, that matches funds raised in the US. In addition, Armando is (or has been) involved as a Board of Director at the East County Boys and Girls Clubs, Vice President and Founding Member of the San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, President of the Board of Casa Estrella, (a Rosarito based girl's orphanage), Board Member of the Otay Mesa Chamber of Commerce, member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors and the Million Dollar Round Table. Armando is our champion "changemaker" for the children! |