El Padrecito's Website - Board of Directors

BOARD OF DIRECTORS of El Padrecito Ministries, Inc.
2010

Father Masseo J. Gonzales, President

Fr. Masseo, aka "El Padrecito", is currently serving as Associate Pastor at St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral in Reno, Nevada. He is the founder of El Padrecito Ministries, Inc. and brother to HOMIES creator David Gonzales.  He has extensive experience working with youth-at-risk  as a high school instructor, in parish ministry since 1996 and having worked through www.elpadrecito.orgsince 2000. His personal life adds to his credibility and work is well captured in a 2007 article in the Los Angeles Times. He has an undergraduate degree is in Chicano Studies from Pitzer College of the Claremont Colleges and also holds a Masters in Theology in Missiology and a Masters in Divinity from Washington Theological Union.

Arturo M. Cruz, Vice-President

Arturo M. Cruz (Vice-President) is a City Council member of San Pablo, California, a hip-hop artist, founding member of Hiz-Panic, and a youth advocate and a community activist in Richmond and San Pablo, California. He currently oversees "Hiz-Kidz", a youth rap group who perform throughout the immediate Bay Area.

David Sanchez, Secretary

David Sanchez (Secretary) has been a police officer for 26 years with the City of Arroyo Grande, California. He is the current secretary/treasurer of the Arroyo Grande Peace Officers Association. David is a third degree Knight of Columbus, involved in his local R.C.I.A Program (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) and also a proud member of the Promise Keepers Christian Organization.

Trent Benedetti, Treasurer

Trent Benedetti (Treasurer) is a certified public accountant and owner of a professional tax firm in Santa Maria, California, Benedetti and Associates, Inc. He is also a graduate of California Polytechnic University, a fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a Certified Financial Planner and a Registered Investment Adviser. Mr. Benedetti has been in practice since 1982.

Barbara Land, Board Member

Professor Barbara Land is the current Director of Dance Studies at the University of Reno, Nevada, a choreographer with extensive experience in the area of dance and theater, in addition to fundraising for non-profits. She works closely with Fr. Masseo Gonzales in establishing a performing presence in Reno and Sparks, Nevada.

Joseph Gutierrez, Board Member

Joseph Gutierrez has worked as a Police Officer, Deputy Sheriff, Correctional Counselor and Gang Information Counselor where he worked with over 1,100 gangs throughout California. He writes "...throughout my life I have taught gang awareness to prisoners. I've never seen a gang improve a kid's life. I have seen a gang end a kid's life... I remain committed in helping our youth make wise choices. From my viewpoint this (website ministry) has been a wonderful ministry, but, of course, there is heartache as well as heart-soaring times when kids become the truth of who they really are. To see a kid become exactly what God had in mind when God made them is a joy like no other." Joseph Gutierrez currently resides in Cambria, California and is the person behind "Officer Placa" on this website.

Brian Saeman, Board Member

Brian Saeman is an attorney and partner at Guild, Russell, Gallagher & Fuller, Ltd. in Reno, Nevada. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a Juris Doctoris degree from Gonzaga University. He has been a member of the State Bar of Nevada since 2001. He is a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and is currently the Grand Knight of Nevada Council 978 at St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral in Reno, Nevada.

"The mission of El Padrecito Ministries, Inc. is to evangelize youth. While we make every attempt to keep this website safe, for example having 'Officer Placa' routinely surf the site, YOU are ultimately responsible for your own behavior. Please use this website at your own discretion."

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