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Aaron and Supporter

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

Aaron Valencia

Board of Directors

Christina

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.

Steve

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

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 Marceri

John Maceri

Partner

Empower and Employ

El Wags

Jim Waggaman

Waggaman’s Kustomz, Owner

For the past 30 years, Jim has been operating ‘Waggaman’s Kustomz & AirStream Studio’, taking factory-designed, ‘stock’ motorcycles and cars, and transforming them into his ‘own’ style. Jim has had several of his projects featured in National and International publications as well as online.

So with his background in Kustom cars and motorcycles, it was just natural for him to learn about the ‘Lost Angel’s Career Center’.  His respect and appreciation for their founder, Aaron Valencia, and his mission touched him deeply. Jim, almost immediately, became a supporter. Jim’s contributions and involvement have given him a sense of ‘humble pride’.

OFFICE STAFF

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Kayla Cameron

Chief Operating 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.

Chey

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.

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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

Wilton Tran

Creative Director

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

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.

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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.

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Gonzo

Shop Dog

In memory of the best shop dog ever.

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Atlas

Office Dog

The joy of the Office.

TEAM

Bernie

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

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

Marc

Marc Anguiano

Welding Instructor

Emerging from our work program, Marc is a testament to the transformative power of dedication and hands-on education. A proud graduate of our program, Marc's journey has come full circle as he now imparts his welding expertise to the next wave of aspiring welders

Destiny

Destiny Prieto

Composite Instructor

Destiny's journey with Lost Angels began as a Class 3 graduate, and today, she stands as a beacon of inspiration at our Trevor location. After completing our program with dedication and excellence, Destiny emerged as a shining example of what determination and skill can achieve passing on knowledge to new cohorts.

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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

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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

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