EXECUTIVE OFFICERS 2011-2013
Timothy Dayonot (Chair)
Born in the Philippines, he has worked for three California Governors, including serving as a Community Relations Representative for former California Governor Jerry Brown. In 2000, he was appointed by Governor Gray Davis as the Director of the California Department of Community Services and Development, a position he also held for nearly two years under Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. During his six years as Director, he administered nearly $1 billion in state and federal funds.
Since 1998, he has taught negotiations at U.C Berkeley’s Haas School of Business. He also teaches negotiations at U.C. Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy and has taught negotiations at U.C. Berkeley’s Boalt Hall School of Law. At Stanford Law School, he co-taught a legal negotiation workshop sponsored by the Stanford Center on Conflict & Negotiation and was a teaching consultant to Stanford Law School’s Gould Center on Dispute Resolution. The State Bar of California has approved his negotiations trainings for continuing education credits.
His other professional experience includes serving as the Government Relations Manager for the United Way of the Bay Area, Government & Community Relations Representative for U.C. San Francisco and Government & Public Affairs Manager for the S. F. Public Utilities Commission.
Active in civic affairs, his past positions include serving as a member of the State Bar of California’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, Chair of the Contra Costa Human Relations Commission, Chair of the Low-Income Oversight Board of the California Public Utilities Commission and a member of the California Board of Accountancy. He is a member of the San Francisco–Manila Sister City Committee, a Board of Member of the Filipino-American Political Action Committee, Vice-Chair of the Friends of the Filipino American Community (PAC) and a member of the Filipino-American Democratic Caucus of the CA Democratic Party.
He holds a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government and a law degree from the University of San Francisco. He has received additional negotiations training from the Program on Negotiations at Harvard, the Program on Instruction for Lawyers at Harvard Law School and the Public Disputes Program at MIT. He was twice elected student body president at S.F. State University, where he received a B.A. in political science.
While teaching negotiations at U.C. Berkeley as previously noted, he operates his own negotiation training/consulting firm in Berkeley, California. His clients have included Expedia.com, Amgen Corporation, Northrop Grumman Space Technologies, the Attorney General of Texas, National Public Radio, Western Independent Bankers Association, Paragon Real Estate, UCSF School of Medicine, S.F. International Airport, S.F. Controller’s Office and CompassPoint.
Robert Dawa (Central California Vice Chair)
Robert Dawa was born in San Francisco and has resided in Sacramento for the last eighteen years. Robert is the Immediate Past Chair of the Filipino-American Democratic Caucus, having served from 2006-2007, and was first elected as Caucus Chair in 2003, serving until 2005. When he has not served as Chair, Robert is currently and has been the Vice Chair representing the Central Valley, Coastal, and Mountain Region (thirty [30!] counties outside the Bay Area, Los Angeles and San Diego areas).
Robert became active in the Democratic Party on the urging of his union co-workers. Since 1995, he has served on the Democratic State Central Committee, either through the Sacramento County Democratic Central Committee (SCDCC) or via the Tenth Assembly District. He was elected Vice Chair of the SCDCC in 1999, and elected Chair of the SCDCC in 2001. He was the first person of color to be elected to that post from the start of the term and to serve the full term, ending in 2003. The highlight of the term was presiding over the Democratic Sweep of all the statewide offices, in which Robert spent the next three days visiting the County Registrar’s office, encouraging the vote counters, protecting them from Republican harassment, and ultimately helping insure that the sweep was complete with Steve Westly being elected Controller.
Robert has encouraged Filipino-Americans to get involved with politics through the Party and its candidates. When he has not worked for the major officeholders and candidates, he has worked for or with Filipino candidates such as Tom Santos (Congress and Board of Equalization), Rufino Bautista (State Senate) and current and former Assembly candidates Henry Manayan, Arlie Ricasa, and Christopher Cabaldon.
Robert currently works in governmental accounting, and was recently elected to the Executive Board of his union.
Evelyn Javier Centeno (Treasurer)
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She received her education from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, in the College of Science, B.S. Chemistry. She then received a B.S. Business Administration from Golden Gate University in California. Additionally, she has post graduate studies in MBA and in Education. As a professional, Mrs. Centeno was an example of women succeeding in non-traditional jobs in the technical, science and engineering field. She started a technical career in the telephone company as a telecommunications technician, then a computer network analyst, and then worked as an Engineering Consultant in wireless telecommunications. She ventured into entrepreneurial-ship and operated a start up company, EJC Global Links, Inc. providing engineering consulting involving project and construction management. Wanting to encourage young people to the field of Math and Science, she transitioned into classroom teaching. Presently, Mrs. Centeno is working on two projects for her company EJC Global Links. One is an educational services company with learning centers that will be in operation in Martinez and Pittsburg come September 2011; and the other is an online retail for health and beauty products.
Among Evelyn Centeno’s accomplishments, she prides herself both, with being a mother to three beautiful and successful grown up children; and with being a pioneer in public service volunteerism in Contra Costa County. She was the first Filipina appointed to a commissioning body as Antioch Police Commissioner. She was also the first Filipina voted to an elected position as a District Representative in the Democratic Party Central Committee. Other commissioning positions are: Community Advisory Commission of Pittsburg, Equal Employment Opportunity Advisory Council of Contra Costa County. She has more than 20 years of active membership with the California Democratic Party, holding past positions as Secretary and Northern Vice Chair of the state Filipino American Democratic Caucus; and served as a member of the Executive Board of the California Democratic Party.
Evelyn Javier Centeno is a well rounded person with an eye on building and making community a better place to live. Besides her activities in the professional and political level, she is also actively involved in civic and church organizations. She was formerly a Vice President of Programs of the American Association of University Women, East County Chapter; and is currently a member of the Kiwanis, serving the organization as a Circle K International Advisor. Lastly, she serves as a lector with two parish churches, and is the Coordinator of the Education Committee of her parish 5-Year Plan.
Melissa Ramoso (Vice Chair- Los Angeles/Orange County)
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Melissa previously worked in the legal field and in city government, but always had an interest in politics and empowering the API community. She was heavily involved with Senator Lieu’s Attorney General race in 2010 and for his 2011 State Senate campaign. In the November 2010 elections, she dedicated her time to the Barbara Boxer 2010 campaign as Outreach Consultant for the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and to the AAPI outreach efforts of the DNC/OFA.
Currently, she serves on the board of Asian Pacific American Legislative Staff (APALS) Network, active member of Pilipino American Los Angeles Democrats (PALAD) and is also a member of the Los Angeles County Democratic Party, Democratic State Central Committee and CDP Delegate for the past several years. At the 2011 CDP Convention, she was also elected to the Executive Board of the API Democratic Caucus as Southern Outreach Chair.
Born and raised in Downey, a product of ABC Unified School District and currently living in Artesia, she earned her B.A. in Political Science from UC Irvine.
Pat Washington, PhD. (Vice Chair- San Diego)
Pat Washington is a women’s studies scholar and activist. A sociologist by training, she uses a gendered lens to examine social stratification in the U.S. and abroad, with an emphasis on social inequalities and efforts to eradicate those inequalities. Her publications to date have focused on the impact of social location (race, sex, class, sexuality, etc.) on the nature and quality of services available to survivors of sexual violence; within-group oppression in communities of color and in mainstream lesbian and gay communities; and resistance/social justice strategies—most notably the utility of community-based service learning in advancing academic scholarship and social activism.
She is an award-winning teacher and a prolific scholar, and she has received widespread local, state, and national recognition for service and activism. 
Fel Anthony Amistad (Corresponding Secretary)
Fel Anthony Amistad is current County Commissioner in San Mateo since 2007. He is a community activist and serves as Secretary to the FilAm Democratic Caucus of the California Democratic Party. He is also the Vice President of the Filipno American Democratic Club of San Mateo County.
He has been a delegate to CDP Conventions, including the April 24-26, 2009. Amistad is a Board Director of Asian American Unity and the 80-20initiative.net, advocating the appointment of more Asian American judges, in government leadership positions, and other empowerment. Amistad is also a director and Vice President of FilAm Coalition FilAm Chamber of Commerce President, and Lions Club 4C4 past president. Amistad is a graduate of Stanford University ( Human Biology, BA) and holds advanced business and law degrees..
Amistad ran for San Mateo County Board of Education and came in very close to victory. However he believes that our Filipino American community needs to mature and seek political empowerment via the voting booth and through financial support of worthy political candidates. His devotion to public service includes other civic organizations such as California Health Initiatives where he was finance controller. Amistad is also involved in his daughter's PTA where he volunteered to mentor and teach students, raise funds for athletic programs, and stay active in school activities.
Amistad is currently owner of his finance company specializing in commercial residential finance and is a member of his County Association of Realtors in San Mateo.
Community awards: Amistad has received several awards for his community service. He was awarded businessman of the year by the Filipino community in 2000 and is a Delta Mu Delta society member for his attainment of scholarship performance in his postgraduate studies.
Meriam Reynosa (Recording Secretary)
Meriam Reynosa currently serves as the President of Southern Alameda County Young Democrats. She was a founding member and served as SCYD Secretary from 2008-2010. Meriam is a Filipino-American, born and raised in the City of San Leandro. She is a lifelong Democrat, attended local schools and studied political science at California State University, Hayward.
In 2006, she worked on the primary campaign to elect Senator Ellen Corbett to the California State Senate. She was also chosen to represent Cal State University of Hayward as one of 25 State University students, to partake in the prestigious Leon and Sylvia Panetta Congressional Fellowship Program. As a Panetta Fellow she
proudly interned in the office of Congressman Pete Stark in Washington D.C.
Upon returning from Capitol Hill in the fall of 2006, Meriam continued her work in public service as a District Representative for State Senate Majority Leader Ellen Corbett. She serves as an alternate on the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee and was selected by the body to serve as its current Corresponding Secretary. She was elected to serve the 18th AD as a California State delegate for the 2008-2010 cycle. At the 2011 California Democratic Party Convention, she was appointed by Senator Corbett to serve as one of her delegates and was also elected to the CDP Filipino-American Democratic Caucus Executive Board as its Recording Secretary. She has volunteered on campaigns in Alameda County and Statewide, on behalf of amazing democratic candidates and is also a member of the
East Bay Young Democrats. Living and working in the bay area has opened her eyes to the needs of its constituency and she hopes to serve it with the best of
intentions. As a young democrat representing the future, she will continue to have a deep passion and solid belief in a fair, transparent and diverse democratic political process. She will provide support for the positive changes that
meets the needs of the community, the goals of our young democrats,
and will continue her work to strengthen Democratic endeavors of Filipino-Americans statewide.
Genevieve Villafranca Jopanda
(Northern California Vice Chair, San Francisco Bay Area)________________________________________________________________________________
Genevieve is a San Francisco Bay Area native who has been feeding her passion for community advocacy for the past 15 years. She focuses on domestic violence awareness, veterans equity, college caree transition mentoring, and teaching positive alternatives to at risk youth through art. Her professional experience includes over 9 years of leadership development and business operations for the San Francisco Chronicle, the Hertz Corporation and Zipcar, Inc.
In 2008, she transitioned from the corporate environment to non-profit by working for the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce as the Marketing and Events Director. Recently, she made the leap into politics to work for Assemblywoman Fiona Ma focusing on North San Mateo County and serves as the liaison to the API community in the 12th Assembly District.
Genevieve currently holds the positions of Director of FIlipino Women's Network's production of Eve Ensler's " THe Vagina MOnologues" with an all Asian Pacific Islander American cast to hep raise money to benefit Domestic Violence Women's Shelters, Filipino American Art's Exposition's Pistahan Festival Director, advisor to Soulciety.org non-profit organization, and National Co-Chair for Kaya grassroots organization.
During the day, she serves as a District Representative for Speaker Pro Tempore Fiona Ma of the 12th Assembly District. Outside of business hours, she spends time doing philanthropic work, organizing and event planning for the community at large.
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Alice Bulos (Principal Advisor)
Alice Bulos attended the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines in 1948, graduating with a B.A. and M.A. in Social and Behavioral Sciences. She began her professional career as Professor of Sociology at the University of Santo Tomas and eventually became the Chairman of the Department of Sociology. She moved to Sacramento California in 1977 to pursue a career with CETA as an Employment Counselor.
Alice has served as an advocate for seniors and women by her numerous activities including the an appointment to the Federal Council on the Aging by former President Clinton, acting as delegate to the White House Conference On The Aging, serving as Regional Chair of the National Filipino-American Women’s Network and participating with the Sacramento Asian/Pacific Women’s Network. Her County involvement includes serving as Commissioner for the San Mateo County Commission on the Status of Women and the Health Plan of San Mateo County. She has served as a Board Member for numerous community organizations and agencies.
She has been honored as Women Warrior of the Year by the Pacific Asian American Women Bay area Coalition and has been inducted into the San Mateo County Women’s Hall of Fame.