The latest episode of the Attention, ALVA! podcast (hosted by ALVA Chairman/CEO Danny Vargas) is available! Our special guest is Olga Custodio.

Olga is the first Latina to complete USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training, she served for 24 years and retired as a Lt Col. Olga was also the first American Airlines Latina commercial airline pilot and retired a Captain with a 20 year career. Now a STEM advocate, speaker, author, and community leader, she advocates for inspiring and empowering students, especially in underserved communities, to pursue STEM careers in aviation and aerospace. Olga continues to fly in general aviation.
We discuss her upbringing, her career and her community service and her book “FLIGHTPATH OF FORTITUDE”

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO

CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO

Podcast Sponsors:
JPMorganChase, PMI, Wells Fargo, AT&T, and T-Mobile

ALVA Membership is free to all veterans (including guard and reserves), active-duty personnel, and their families. We recognize that military service is not an individual exercise, but rather a family endeavor. Visit the website to join and become a member of ALVA today.

About American Latino Veterans Association (ALVA):
The American Latino Veterans Association (ALVA) is a registered 501c3 that exists to help American Latino veterans thrive after their military service, access the benefits they have earned, and enhance recognition of Latino contributions to our nation’s defense since before its inception. For more information on ALVA visit https://www.alvavets.org or follow us on our social media channels @alvavets

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Herndon, VA – The American Latino Veterans Association (ALVA) proudly announces the launch of its Regional Coordinators initiative, a strategic effort to expand its reach, strengthen its support network, and drive membership growth among Latino veterans and their families nationwide.

The newly appointed Regional Coordinators are highly engaged individuals with extensive networks in the veteran community, strong ties to Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), and connections to potential corporate partners. Their commitment to the well-being of veterans makes them invaluable ambassadors for ALVA’s mission.

Responsibilities of ALVA Regional Coordinators
Regional Coordinators will play a crucial role in increasing ALVA’s visibility, fostering collaborations, and supporting veteran-centric initiatives across the country. Their primary responsibilities include:

• Acting as ALVA Ambassadors
  • Driving ALVA membership growth in their respective regions (membership is free for all veterans, guard, reserves, and their families)
  • Increasing awareness and engagement with ALVA programs and initiatives
  • Identifying and fostering relationships with potential partners and sponsors
• Coordinating ALVA Events
  • Organizing and assisting with ALVA-sponsored events in their regions
  • Enhancing participation and outreach at community and veteran-focused gatherings
• Supporting and Coordinating Volunteer Activities
  • Identifying meaningful volunteer opportunities for ALVA members
  • Engaging with local organizations to promote veteran support initiatives

Meet the Initial Cadre of ALVA Regional Coordinators
ALVA is proud to introduce its first group of Regional Coordinators, who bring unparalleled dedication and expertise to their roles. If you have suggestions of other leaders you would like to recommend for another region, please contact us at info@alvavets.org.

• Joe Aldaz – Colorado (CO)
• July Franco – Chicago, Illinois (IL)
• Lucy Del Gaudio – Northern New Jersey (NJ)
• John Escalante – New York City (NY)
• Joseph Figueroa – San Antonio, Texas (TX)
• Danitza “Dee” Garcia-James – Norfolk, Virginia (VA)
• Evan Guzman – New York City (NY)
• Ernesto Hernandez – National Capital Region (VA)
• Jose Ismael Irizarry – Puerto Rico (PR)

A Commitment to Latino Veterans
ALVA remains steadfast in its mission to “help Latino Veterans thrive and recognize their indispensable contributions”. We empower Latino veterans and their families by providing access to resources, networking opportunities, and advocacy. Through the efforts of its Regional Coordinators, ALVA aims to strengthen its footprint nationwide and ensure that every Latino veteran has access to the support they deserve.

“We are thrilled to have such a dedicated and passionate group of individuals leading ALVA’s efforts in their respective regions,” said ALVA Founder/Chairman/CEO, Danny Vargas. “Their leadership and commitment will be instrumental in amplifying our mission and serving Latino veterans across the country.”

Please visit our website www.alvavets.org and follow us on social media @alvavets to learn more about our other programs and future events.

ALVA Membership is free to all veterans (including guard and reserves), active-duty personnel, and their families. We recognize that military service is not an individual exercise, but rather a family endeavor. Visit the website to join and become a member of ALVA today.

About American Latino Veterans Association (ALVA):
The American Latino Veterans Association (ALVA) is a registered 501c3 that exists to help American Latino veterans thrive after their military service, access the benefits they have earned, and enhance recognition of Latino contributions to our nation’s defense since before its inception. For more information on ALVA visit https://www.alvavets.org or follow us on our social media channels @alvavets

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Herndon, VA – The American Latino Veterans Association (ALVA), the only national non-profit focused exclusively on helping all Latino veterans thrive and recognize their indispensable contributions, announces its 2024 Impact Report.

The Impact Report describes highlights of 2024 program activities, the populations served, a glimpse of future plans, as well as a message from its CEO and a statement of appreciation to its members and supporters. Among the highlights are the various partnerships to provide direct support for veterans, address veteran suicide prevention, and career progression; successful events including jobs match making with several employers, and ALVA Awards events in Washington, D.C and New York City; advocacy efforts on Captiol Hill; and much more.

“We are so very grateful for our members, supporters, allies, and friends who made 2024 a great year for ALVA and the Latino veterans we exist to support,” stated ALVA Founder/Chairman & CEO, Danny Vargas. He added, “Looking to the future, we expect to see many changes in the way our nation’s veterans are supported (some good; some bad). From physical/mental health care, to education, to financial support, to workforce development, and more. With this in mind, the work of Veteran Service Organizations (VSOs), like ALVA, is increasingly important”.

The full 2024 Impact Report can be found here: CLICK HERE FOR 2024 ALVA IMPACT REPORT

Please visit our website www.alvavets.org and follow us on social media @alvavets to learn more about our other programs and future events.

ALVA Membership is free to all veterans (including guard and reserves), active-duty personnel, and their families. We recognize that military service is not an individual exercise, but rather a family endeavor. Visit the website to join and become a member of ALVA today.

About American Latino Veterans Association (ALVA):
The American Latino Veterans Association (ALVA) is a registered 501c3 that exists to help American Latino veterans thrive after their military service, access the benefits they have earned, and enhance recognition of Latino contributions to our nation’s defense since before its inception. For more information on ALVA visit https://www.alvavets.org or follow us on our social media channels @alvavets

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New York City, NY – The American Latino Veterans Association (ALVA) had the distinct pleasure of honoring five incredible Latino Veterans at a reception on Monday, December 9th at the beautiful Central Park Boathouse in New York City. This was ALVA’s first event in NYC and it was a tremendous success.

The event was sponsored by JPMorgan Chase (represented by William Jaramillo) and included remarks from Iris Rodriguez-Rosa (First Deputy Commissioner for the NYC Parks Department), James Hendon (Commissioner for the NYC Department of Veterans’ Services), Cassandra Alvarez (Chief of Staff, NYC DVS), Ricardo Garcia (Hostos Community College), and Francisco Cortes (Setroc Group).

The honorees were:
– Veteran Entrepreneur Award: Rudy Cazares
– Community Service Award: Lucy Del Gaudio
– Military Service Award: Julio Feliu and Jose Rivera (Borinqueneers)
– Role Model Award: John Escalante

Photos from the events can be found here: CLICK HERE FOR PHOTOS
Video from the events can be found here: CLICK HERE FOR VIDEOS
Profiles for the honorees can be found here: CLICK HERE FOR PROFILES

“What a great honor it was to celebrate the service, sacrifice, leadership and resilience of our awardees and their families. And it was truly humbling to present an award to a living legend, Julio Feliu, a 94-year-old Bronze Star recipient who fought in the Korean War and is a surviving member of the Borinqueneers,” stated ALVA Founder/Chairman & CEO, Danny Vargas. He continued, “We greatly appreciate our sponsors, partners, supporters, and friends who made these events possible and who believe in our mission to help Latino veterans thrive and recognize their indispensable contributions.”

Please visit our website www.alvavets.org and follow us on social media @alvavets to learn more about our other programs and future events.

ALVA Membership is free to all veterans (including guard and reserves), active-duty personnel, and their families. We recognize that military service is not an individual exercise, but rather a family endeavor. Visit the website to join and become a member of ALVA today.

About American Latino Veterans Association (ALVA):
The American Latino Veterans Association (ALVA) is a registered 501c3 that exists to help American Latino veterans thrive after their military service, access the benefits they have earned, and enhance recognition of Latino contributions to our nation’s defense since before its inception. For more information on ALVA visit https://www.alvavets.org or follow us on our social media channels @alvavets

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Special thanks to everyone involved in our very successful ALVA DC Expo, Jobs Fair and Awards Reception last week, in partnership with ALPFA’s Washington, DC Chapter!

We are so grateful for all our wonderful partners, sponsors, speakers, volunteers, and supporters! Huge congratulations to our amazing award honorees who spoke with passion and authenticity!

• Familia Award: Roberto Clemente Family (represented by Suzanne Brick)

• Entrepreneur Award: Francisco Cortes

• Community Service Award: Ernesto Hernandez III

• Military Service Award: Vice Admiral Yvette Davids (Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy)

• Role Model Award: Dr. Lester Martinez-Lopez

Pictures can be found in the links below thanks to our phenomal photographer Andrés Mejia.

Afternoon Expo: Click here to view photos

Evening Awards Reception: Click here to view photos

Videos of the day’s activities are found below:

Afternoon Expo: Click here to view videos

Evening Awards Reception: Click here to view videos

Huge thanks to our host AT&T, our sponsors PMI, JPMorganChase, T-Mobile, Wells Fargo, and a special shoutout to Dr. Valery Maya, for being a great partner for this event!

Please visit our website www.alvavets.org and follow us on social media @alvavets to learn more about our other programs and future events.

ALVA Membership is free to all veterans (including guard and reserves), active-duty personnel, and their families. We recognize that military service is not an individual exercise, but rather a family endeavor. Visit the website to join and become a member of ALVA today.

About American Latino Veterans Association (ALVA):
The American Latino Veterans Association (ALVA) is a registered 501c3 that exists to help American Latino veterans thrive after their military service, access the benefits they have earned, and enhance recognition of Latino contributions to our nation’s defense since before its inception. For more information on ALVA visit https://www.alvavets.org or follow us on our social media channels @alvavets

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The latest episode of the Attention, ALVA! podcast (hosted by ALVA Chairman/CEO Danny Vargas) is available! Our special guest is Jean Ibañez-Payne. We discuss her upbringing in Colombia, her time in the Navy (surviving military sexual trauma), her business career, and her new book “Reclaim Your Worth”.

For more information on her book and her company, visit www.reclaimyourworthnow.com and www.tiverbatim.com

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO

CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO

Podcast Sponsors:
JPMorganChase, PMI, Wells Fargo, AT&T, T-Mobile, Accenture

ALVA Membership is free to all veterans (including guard and reserves), active-duty personnel, and their families. We recognize that military service is not an individual exercise, but rather a family endeavor. Visit the website to join and become a member of ALVA today.

About American Latino Veterans Association (ALVA):
The American Latino Veterans Association (ALVA) is a registered 501c3 that exists to help American Latino veterans thrive after their military service, access the benefits they have earned, and enhance recognition of Latino contributions to our nation’s defense since before its inception. For more information on ALVA visit https://www.alvavets.org or follow us on our social media channels @alvavets

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Please register today for the ALVA Expo and ALVA Awards Reception on November 6th in Washington, D.C.!

We are honored to partner with ALPFA – DC for this event!

There will be an Expo from 12:45pm – 6:00pm, including informative panels on transitioning from military to civilian life, accessing veterans benefits, financial literacy and more. (registration begins at 12:15pm)

There will be a job matchmaking session from 4:15pm – 6:00pm.

The Awards Reception will follow from 6:30pm – 9:00pm (registration opens at 6:00pm)

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR EXPO/RECEPTION

CLICK HERE FOR JOB MATCHMAKING

The venue will be:

AT&T Forum, 601 New Jersey Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001

About American Latino Veterans Association (ALVA):
The American Latino Veterans Association (ALVA) is a registered 501c3 that exists to help American Latino veterans thrive after their military service, access the benefits they have earned, and enhance recognition of Latino contributions to our nation’s defense since before its inception. For more information on ALVA visit https://www.alvavets.org or follow us on our social media channels @alvavets

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The latest episode of the Attention, ALVA! podcast (hosted by ALVA Chairman/CEO Danny Vargas) is available! Our special guests are leaders of the Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino. Estuardo Rodriguez is the President/CEO and Lili Gil Valletta is the Chair.

We discuss the initiative to create a new Smithsonian American Latino museum, from its origins to the current status.
For more information, visit www.americanlatinomuseum.org or follow them on social media @latinomuseum

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO

CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO

Podcast Sponsors:
JPMorganChase, PMI, Wells Fargo, AT&T, T-Mobile, Accenture

ALVA Membership is free to all veterans (including guard and reserves), active-duty personnel, and their families. We recognize that military service is not an individual exercise, but rather a family endeavor. Visit the website to join and become a member of ALVA today.

About American Latino Veterans Association (ALVA):
The American Latino Veterans Association (ALVA) is a registered 501c3 that exists to help American Latino veterans thrive after their military service, access the benefits they have earned, and enhance recognition of Latino contributions to our nation’s defense since before its inception. For more information on ALVA visit https://www.alvavets.org or follow us on our social media channels @alvavets

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Herndon, VA – Mr. Raul “Danny” Vargas (a nationally recognized business, community, and board leader) was honored with the prestigious Eagle Leadership Award by the Latino Leaders Network during their 2024 Convention Series Reception in Milwaukee on July 16th. The event took place at the headquarters of Michael Best Strategies. The event included remarks from George P. Bush (former Texas Land Commissioner).

Vargas was recognized for his efforts in business and the community, including creating VARCom Solutions (an award-winning marketing, public relations, and professional services firm), founding the American Latino Veterans Association (a national 501c3 non-profit helping Latino veterans thrive and recognizing their indispensable contributions), Chairmanship of the Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino (leading the efforts to pass the authorization bill in Congress), his military service in the U.S. Air Force and his leadership roles in workforce development, economic development, civil rights, and more.

A video of Vargas’ remarks can be found HERE

Photos from the event can be found HERE

Prior recipients of the Eagle Leadership Award include Sheila E. (musician), Miguel Cardona (Secretary of Education), U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, Danny Trejo (actor), George P. Bush, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, Tom Flores (NFL coach/player), Gov. Brian Sandoval, Cheech Marin (actor), Edward James Olmos (actor), U.S. Senator Ken Salazar, Carlos Gutierrez (Secretary of Commerce), Emilio Estefan (music producer), Jose Hernandez (astronaut), U.S. Senator Mel Martinez, Eva Longoria (actor), Alberto Gonzales (U.S. Attorney General), and many more.

ALVA Membership is free to all veterans (including guard and reserves), active-duty personnel, and their families. We recognize that military service is not an individual exercise, but rather a family endeavor. Visit the website to join and become a member of ALVA today.

About American Latino Veterans Association (ALVA):
The American Latino Veterans Association (ALVA) is a registered 501c3 that exists to help American Latino veterans thrive after their military service, access the benefits they have earned, and enhance recognition of Latino contributions to our nation’s defense since before its inception. For more information on ALVA visit https://www.alvavets.org or follow us on our social media channels @alvavets

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The latest episode of the Attention, ALVA! podcast (hosted by ALVA Chairman/CEO Danny Vargas) is available! Our special guest is former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

Alberto R. Gonzales served as the 80th Attorney General of the United States during the George W. Bush administration. Before entering public service Gonzales practiced business law at the Houston law firm of Vinson & Elkins. In 1995 he resigned his law partnership to serve as General Counsel to the Governor of Texas. After three years the Governor appointed Gonzales as Texas Secretary of State. He was subsequently appointed as a Justice on the Texas Supreme Court and elected by the citizens of Texas to serve a full six-year term in the November 2000 general election. He served in the White House as Counsel to the President from 2001-2005.

Gonzales is an Air Force veteran and attended the U.S. Air Force Academy. He is a graduate of Rice University and Harvard Law School. Presently he is the Dean and Doyle Rogers Distinguished Professor of Law at Belmont University College of Law in Nashville, Tennessee.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO

CLICK HERE FOR AUDIO

Podcast Sponsors:
JPMorganChase, PMI, Wells Fargo, AT&T, T-Mobile, Accenture

ALVA Membership is free to all veterans (including guard and reserves), active-duty personnel, and their families. We recognize that military service is not an individual exercise, but rather a family endeavor. Visit the website to join and become a member of ALVA today.

About American Latino Veterans Association (ALVA):
The American Latino Veterans Association (ALVA) is a registered 501c3 that exists to help American Latino veterans thrive after their military service, access the benefits they have earned, and enhance recognition of Latino contributions to our nation’s defense since before its inception. For more information on ALVA visit https://www.alvavets.org or follow us on our social media channels @alvavets

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