Board Members back up

Meet Our Founding Board Members

Back row: Jose Torres, Eli Gonzalez, Diana Herrera, Dr. Michelle Neely, Jesus Serrato. Front row: Clara Torres, Alicia Serrato, Sergio Gonzales

“We have to take care of our community.
Sometimes you just need that extra push.
We are putting family into practice.
We know the tools for success and should pass them on to the next generation.
How your life would be different if someone had given you a hand?
Mentors are an extension of family.“

—Primos Dallas Founding Board Members, 2018

2021-2022 Board Members

Alicia Serrato

Founder and President

Profession: Educator with DISD

Passion: Equity in education

First Job:
I made cold calls to ask for donations in the back of a thrift store. I made $5.85 an hour and my first check was $95. I felt like such a baller!

If you could share a meal with any 2 individuals, living or dead, who would they be?
My father and my grandfather. My dad passed away when I was 17 and I’d love nothing more than to eat and catch up with him! My grandfather had the best stories and the biggest heart. I’d love hear his voice again!

What's your favorite holiday?
Oh my goodness Christmas!!! The lights, trees, songs, and the feel of Christmas remind me of when I was a little girl.

Diana Herrera

Vice President

Profession: Advertising

Passion: Travel & innovation

First Job: I worked at a fruteria in the Westmoreland Bazaar. I prepared the food, worked the register, and did clean up. My knife skills are pretty on point thanks to this job.

What did you want to be when you were a kid?
Marine Biologist. I wanted to live at the beach and hangout with sea animals all day.

What is your favorite childhood memory?
Going on adventures with my cousins in Mexico. My mom would take us every summer since we didn't have any relatives in the U.S. She wanted to ensure we were close to our family even though we were far away.

Tywon Portis

Treasurer

Profession: Asset Management Analyst
Passion: My Kids, Sport Bikes, Video Games, Football & Basketball

First Job: Winn Dixie, Summer ’01, Sacking Groceries and Pushing Carts, Sweating Hard for $5.15/HR

What motivates you to work hard?
My kids. They are the reasons I went back to and finished college & “sometimes” act like a responsible parent.

What did you want to be when you were small? Formula 1 Race Car Driver

Edith Rodriguez

Secretary

Profession: Legal Assistant
Passion: Playing chess, community service, local politics

First Job: My first job was as a cashier at La Madeleine. I worked part-time during my junior year in high school.

Who is your hero?
My hero is my mother. She has gone through a lot of struggles in life and has overcome them. She immigrated to the US to give me and my siblings a better life. She is my definition of hard-working and courage.

If you could share a meal with any two individuals, living or dead, who would they be?
I would like to have a meal with Dolores Huerta and learn from her about organizing and protesting for Civil Rights. And Amal Clooney to learn about her experience as an International Law & Human Rights attorney.

Jesus Serrato

Parent Involvement Chair

Profession: Montessori Teacher
Passion: Family and sneakers

First Job: In 7th grade I got my first job cleaning a bakery with my childhood friend. I didn't love cleaning the bakery, but I took pride in my job and showed up every weekend.

What would you do if you won the lottery?
I would pay off debt and continue teaching part-time. I love my job so millions of dollars wouldn't make me retire. Teaching part-time would allow me to spend more time with my family. I'd also love to travel the world so my children can experience different cultures.

What is your favorite childhood memory?
Visiting my grandmother every evening when I lived in Mexico. I would go home after school, eat, do homework, and then go spend time with my Ma Cris (Cristina).

Deanna Hernandez

Marketing Chair

Profession: Full time Mom
Passion: Dancing

First Job: My first job was at Barnes & Noble Booksellers as a cashier in the music department. I worked there for 2 years and got to meet a few celebrities and well known people like Mark Cuban!

What's your favorite holiday?
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because I get to spend time with family members I don’t usually see on a regular basis. Plus we always have some great food to feast on!

If you had a warning label, what would yours say?
Caution: Comes with lots of laughter!

LaSarah Pillado

Partnerships Chair

Profession: Attorney
Passion: Fighting systemic racism and inequality + traveling

First Job: I worked at the local Sonic as a carhop waitress back in high school. I made $2.95/hour, and I made an extra $1.00/hour for wearing skates. Unfortunately, I didn’t know how to skate! It was a mess!

What did you want to be when you were small?
When I was a young girl, my parents would buy houses that we’d fix up over time. I remember my father laying tile down, installing new cabinets, painting, landscaping, etc. It felt like Home Deport was a second home because we went so often! I remember I wanted to grow up and create beautiful spaces where people could feel comfortable and carefree. I wanted to be an interior designer. It’s funny to think about now because I am not sure how to decorate my own home as an adult!

What’s your favorite childhood memory?
Taking road trips with my family and jamming out to 80’s rock n’ roll & classic Tejano with my father in the front seat. He'd drive and I would DJ! We would also snack on the way :).

Joel Gomez

Special Events Chair

Profession: Financial Advisor
Passion: Travel, food, self improvement, making my wife smile

First Job: Quality control engineer in a manufacturing company in McAllen, TX

What motivates you to work hard?
I want to grow a new branch on my family tree. I want to be seen as the person in my family that crated such a great generational wealth that it transformed how my future kids, grandkids and great grandkids live their lives.

What did you want to be when you were small?
I always wanted to be an engineer, just like my Dad. I graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree in 2007, and after working as an engineer for 12 years, last year I decided to change careers. I am now a financial adviser running my practice with a fortune 100 company.