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OUR
TEAM
AARON VALENCIA
FOUNDER / CEO
Aaron Valencia is the Executive Director and Founder of the Lost Angels Career Center (LACC). Aaron is a custom classic car builder who creates amazing, award-winning cars. He also has a passion for helping youth which stems from his own difficulties growing up and experiences with drugs and jail. After turning his life around, he pursued a passion for classic cars and started his own custom car restoration business. Prior to starting LACP, Aaron volunteered at Grace Resources as a Hot Meal Leader for several years. Then he came up with an idea to help disadvantaged youth by teaching them how to work on classic cars.
In 2014 Aaron founded LACC as an afterschool program to engage at-risk youth through mentorship and skills training in classic car restoration. Each year, Aaron and his students built a different sweepstakes vehicle for the Ventura Nationals Car and Motorcycle Show to help sustain the program. LACC eventually moved into a new building and now includes a t-shirt silk screening social enterprise, and a work program for transition-age youth. For his efforts, Aaron won the CNN Hero award and has been featured on the Jay Leno Show, Miller's “We Build," Tekton Tools’ “Find What’s Real," and Lowrider Magazine’s "Roll Models."
Aaron’s goal is to provide young people with the tools they need to succeed and help open doors and opportunities that improve their quality of life. He thrives on teaching and empowering youth in our community to rise above their circumstances
Board of Directors
Christina Smith
City of Lancaster, Programs Director
Christina has led an impressive career as an administrator and consultant in her 20+ years working in the Public Sector. She currently is the sole proprietor of the public service consulting firm K2 for VU; where she helps people, businesses, and organizations achieve innovative solutions to the problems they face so that they can meet and, ultimately, surpass their goals and societal expectations.
Matt Albert, Ed.D
Teshinsky Family Foundation, Director
Matt Albert, Ed.D., is director at the Teshinsky Family Foundation, where he focuses on expanding alternative post-secondary career training. Previously, he led the Center for Reflective Communities and founded New Los Angeles Charter Schools. He began his career as a high school teacher and administrator and holds degrees from UCLA (Ed.D.), Columbia (MA), and UC San Diego (BA). He lives in LA with his two teens and is also a certified welder.
Carl Sheaffer
Maintenance & Operations Manager,
Pasadena City College
Carl's work directly impacts the learning environment of students, faculty, and staff on the Pasadena City College Campuses. Carl believes strongly in the importance of a safe, comfortable, and healthy environment for students to learn and experience life. He was once a Peace Corps volunteer where he helped to design and build water systems and bridges for undeveloped communities in the Dominican Republic.
Holly Gollob-Stein
Tres Noir Optics,
Chief Operating Officer
Holly studied Design and Visual Communications at the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising and began to assist in promoting the Ventura Nationals Car and Motorcycles Show. She quickly became the lead promoter for the event and shortly thereafter joined forces with the Lost Angels Career Center (LACC) in 2013. Holly has served on the Board of LACC since its founding and has been instrumental in organizing and promoting the organization’s annual giveaway fundraiser. Holly has served as the Event Producer for the Ventura Nationals since 2010.
John Maceri
The People Concern
Chief Executive Officer
John Maceri is the CEO of The People Concern, leading efforts to combat homelessness through housing, services, and policy change. With decades of experience in permanent supportive housing and system reform, he also serves on the boards of NoHo Home Alliance and the Santa Monica Bay Area Human Relations Council. As a managing partner for the California Improvement Network, John’s expertise strengthens Lost Angels’ mission to create opportunities for young people through vocational training and career pathways.
OFFICE STAFF
Kayla Cameron
Chief Financial Officer
With extensive management experience and a deep passion for our mission, Kayla oversees the day-to-day operations, implementing strategies to maximize efficiency and effectiveness. Her leadership inspires our team to uphold the highest standards of service and support for our students.
Cheyanne Capelo
Director of Operations
Cheyanne keeps our organization running efficiently. Her attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and commitment to providing a conducive learning environment for our students make her an indispensable member of our team. Her efforts behind the scenes enable us to deliver top-notch training and support, helping our students build successful careers in the manufacturing industry.
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Laura Evans
Director of Job Development
With extensive experience in workforce development and a deep commitment to creating pathways to success, Laura plays a pivotal role in ensuring our students transition seamlessly into the workforce. Her industry knowledge, strategic partnerships, and dedication to securing living-wage jobs empower our graduates to build stable and rewarding careers.
Yanelie Banegas
Office Manager
Yanelie plays a crucial role in keeping our organization running smoothly. With her exceptional organizational skills and dedication to our mission, Yanelie ensures that administrative tasks are efficiently handled, allowing our team to focus on providing top-notch vocational training. Her friendly demeanor and attention to detail make her an invaluable part of our team.
Wilton Tran
Marketing & Media Manager
Wilton brings our students' success stories to life through compelling visuals and engaging content. His commitment to showcasing the transformative power of vocational training makes him an integral part of our team, helping us reach and inspire a broader audience to support our mission.
Kyndra Kinnard
Job Developer
As our Job Developer, Kyndra cultivates relationships with employers, identifying opportunities that align with our graduates' skills and aspirations. Her strategic approach and proactive mindset ensure that our students have access to a wide range of job prospects in the sector.
Lidia Veloz
Case Manager
As our Case Manager, Lidia provides personalized support to each student, ensuring they have the resources and guidance needed to succeed. Her unwavering commitment to their well-being fosters a sense of trust and security, empowering students to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.
Nastasha Woods
Executive Assistant
Nastasha drives growth at Lost Angels, forging partnerships, securing funding, and creating new opportunities for our youth. Her strategic vision ensures our programs keep expanding, empowering the next generation with hands-on skills and career pathways.
Daniellie Banks
Senior Case Manager
Danielle serves as the Senior Case Manager at Lost Angels. With a commitment to youth empowerment, Danielle works directly with students, evaluating each case individually to ensure they receive the support and resources needed to succeed both in and out of the program. Danielle plays a key role in coordinating with the broader Lost Angels team to create custom pathways for every student’s growth and success.
Gonzo
Shop Dog
In memory of the best shop dog ever.
Atlas
Office Dog
The joy of the Office.
SHOP TEAM
Bernie Blanco
Facilities Manager
Navigating the pulse and rhythm of our bustling shop, Bernie Blanco stands as the cornerstone of our daily operations. As the Shop Manager, he seamlessly orchestrates tasks, ensuring that every gear in our mechanism moves in harmony.
Mario Grande
Lead Mechanic
With over 15 years of experience in the automotive world, Mario serves as our in-house Master Mechanic. He is not just passionate about the intricacies of mechanics, but also deeply committed to inspiring the next generation.
Shawn Oddy
Lead Welding Instructor
Shawn instills in students the importance of precision, safety, and creativity in the art of welding. His hands-on approach ensures that every student gains practical skills and confidence in various welding techniques.
Michael Johnson
Lead Composite Instructor
Michael's leadership inspires a culture of exploration and discovery, where students are encouraged to push the boundaries of what's possible in composite fabrication. Under his guidance, Lost Angels' composite program continues to produce skilled professionals ready to make their mark in the industry.
Rob Lind
3D Design and CNC Instructor
Rob brings years of industry experience to the classroom, guiding students through the intricacies of 3D modeling and CNC machining with precision and passion. His innovative teaching methods and hands-on approach ensure that every student gains practical skills and confidence in this rapidly advancing field.
Joseph Godde
Welding Instructor
With 10+ years of experience, Joe specializes in welding and fabrication. His passion for rock crawling and off-road builds makes him an expert in car cage fabrication. Joe’s hands-on approach helps students master industry-level welding and fabrication skills, preparing them for real-world success.
Erick Portillo
Tech Lab TA
A proud Class 9 graduate and one of the pioneering students of our Tech Lab, Erick has come full circle. Now serving as the Tech Lab’s Lead TA, he’s dedicated to sharing his expertise and inspiring the next generation of CNC professionals. His journey from student to leader embodies the hands-on learning and mentorship that defines Lost Angels
Oscar Maciel
Lost Angels TA
Oscar has been part of the Lost Angels family since the very beginning, joining our after-school program as a high schooler eager to learn about cars and dive into working with his hands. He took part in our first-ever work program in 2021 and returned in 2023 to graduate with Class 8. Now a TA, Oscar is giving back to the program that helped shape his passion, guiding the next generation of students on their journey