GCVCC Board of Directors

Rich Ramhoff served on the La Quinta Chamber Board of Directors prior to his transition to the GCVCC, and was an original member of the committee to help plan the new regional chamber. He currently serves as the Director of Marketing at Desert Regional Medical Center. Previously, Rich had a successful career in publishing, serving in leadership positions for a major media company, including President & Publisher at three daily newspapers. Rich is married with two children and resides in La Quinta, CA.

Jay Chesterton is the Vice President of Hotel and Food & Beverage at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, where he has worked since 2006. He has 30 years of experience in resort and food & beverage operations, having worked for some of the most recognized luxury brands in the world. Jay has remained active in his business community, serving on multiple local chamber boards.

Carmen Contreras is the proud owner of State Farm Insurance in Indio, and an Indio Chamber board member since 2014. She has been in the insurance industry since 1986. She enjoys playing an active role in helping the local community with business and personal insurance needs. Her office staff of dedicated professionals can often be found attending local ribbon cuttings and welcoming new business owners to our valley. Carmen is a graduate of Palo Verde College and has three children.

Valerie Ward is the Director of Community Affairs at Burrtec Waste & Recycling Services. She is responsible for developing and creating Burrtec’s public education materials, the company web site, and media relations. Prior to joining Burrtec she worked in the environmental field in Redmond, Washington. Long active in nonprofit organizations and committees, she also has extensive experience with chambers of commerce and has served on the boards of the Indian Wells, Cathedral City, Indio, and Palm Desert.

Tom Niva is the Regional Director of Sales for LocaliQ (the B to B solutions division of the Desert Sun and USA Today Network) for Arizona, Palm Springs and Southern California.  For over 10 years, Tom has been working in the digital advertising industry running sales teams in the West for Reachlocal which is now the digital product suite offered by the USA Today Network.  Tom has recently taken over responsibility as Publisher of the Desert Magazine here in the Coachella Valley as well.  He is originally from the Seattle area and is a proud alumni of the University of Washington.

Mickey Jumapao has over 24 years experience in Real Estate Mortgage Lending.  She previously served on the La Quinta Chamber Board of Directors and has served many Non-Profits throughout her career in the desert.  She is currently active with the Veterans Association of Real Estate Professionals, the Veterans Advisory Board for the office of Congressman Ruiz, and the Unforgettables Foundation.  Mickey was the 2017-18 GCVCC Volunteer of the Year.

Tatiana Yturralde-Morales is the Regional Director of West Coast Cannabis Club based in the Coachella Valley. Ms. Yturralde is an active supporter of local chambers, as well as numerous philanthropic organizations. She is currently enrolled in Leadership Coachella Valley – Class of 2019. With an extensive background in restaurant and event management, she gained skills she was able to apply to her new role as a leader in the burgeoning local Cannbis industry. After living all over the country, from Alaska to New York, she is happy to make her hometown of Palm Desert her home again.

Lesa Bodnar is the Chief of Staff at the Coachella Valley Economic Partnership.  She has been with the organization for over 7 years, bringing with her an extensive administrative and events background.  She previously served for several years on the board of the Cathedral City Chamber of Commerce, most recently as its Board Chair, and played a key role in the recent merger with the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce.  A resident of the valley for over 30 years, she is a graduate of Leadership Coachella Valley and the IEEP Regional Leadership Academy.

Austin Beneteau is a Financial Representative at Modern Woodmen of America, a member-owned fraternal financial services organization.  He uses his knowledge of financial products and needs to help members of the Southern California community plan for their financial future. Austin is a graduate of Point Loma Nazarene University.  In addition to his work with the Chamber, he also volunteers for the American Cancer Society.

Victoria Llort is an active member of the Coachella Valley Business Community.  In her professional role she serves as Programs & Public Affairs Associate at Mission Springs Water District.  She is also active in non-profits, working with American Outreach Foundation to enhance the quality of life of those touched by a limiting disability in the Coachella Valley by donating electric wheelchairs to veterans, children and adults. 

Julie Frazier is the proud owner of Frazier Pest Control in Cathedral City and a chamber member since 2007. She previously served on the Cathedral City Chamber of Commerce board before transitioning to the GCVCC. Alongside her husband Joe they have been in the pest control industry since 1987. She enjoys playing an active role in helping the local community through participation in community based nonprofits like the Boys & Girls Club of Cathedral City.

Vicky Franco is the Manager of Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks & Mortuaries serving the Coachella Valley in Cathedral City, Indio, and Coachella. Vicky has over 19 years’ experience in the Funeral Industry. Vicky oversees the daily mortuary operational functions. She participates in community events in the entire Coachella Valley and is a member of the Indio Woman’s Club. Vicky is a graduate of Cypress College Mortuary Science Program.

Jason Cabanyog is a General Manager for Imperial Western Products Inc, where he has worked since 2001.  Prior to his transition to the Board of Directors for the GCVCC he served on the board for the Coachella Chamber. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Imperial Western Products and is a board member for his HOA, Castle Harbour.   Jason is a graduate of Leadership Coachella Valley – Class of 2013 and received a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Phoenix. Jason and his family are lifelong residents of the Coachella Valley. He is married with three children and lives in Bermuda Dunes.

Bob McCauley has a distinguished leadership and sales track record in Southern California within the media, sports and entertainment industries, as well as tremendous expertise in the Hispanic market. His leadership and experience strengthens our already great team in the desert. Bob was most recently the Director of Corporate Partnerships for MLB Los Angeles Angels. Before that, he spent nearly a decade as the Director of Sales at Univision in Los Angeles overseeing Univision’s flagship TV, Radio and Digital assets. Bob was also the President of Adlink and GSM of KCOP and KTTV in Los Angeles.

Mike Etheridge is the Sales Director for Western Waterworks in Coachella.  Mike served on the board of the Coachella Chamber for over 12 years.  Mike supplies water and sewer projects throughout Southern California working out of the Western Water Works office in Coachella. Mike serves on the Coachella Planning Commission, Coachella Economic Development Board, and is a board member for Imagine School Riverside along with other organizations.  Mike attended New Mexico State University and is married with three children and lives in La Quinta.

Jeff Fishbein is a real estate consultant with an extensive corporate sales and management background with a Forbes Top 25 customer service focused Private Corporation. Currently he specializes in residential real estate and investment opportunities with Coldwell Banker in La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert and the entire Coachella Valley communities.