Archives for September 2019
Jane B. Rolen
Jane B. Rolen (Mary Jane Basilio-Rolen) is the current President of the Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce, GA. Inc. (PACCGA).
Jane is a Management and Program Analyst for the Center for Automation, Security and Integrity, (CASI), Social Security Administration (SSA) in the Atlanta Region. She began her
SSA career as a Claims Representative in Asheville, North Carolina in 1998, under the Outstanding Scholar Program. She is a graduate of the 2003 National Leadership Development Program (LDP), wherein she held a number of responsible positions including Operations Supervisor, Labor Relations Specialist, Management Analyst, Team Leader for the Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity Office, and Executive Assistant to the Regional Commissioner prior to her selection as CASI’s Management and Program Analyst.
Jane is the recipient of numerous awards in her career, including but not limited to:
- The 2019 Regional Commissioner’s Citation Award, for consistent outstanding performance.
- The 2014 Regional Commissioner’s Citation Team Award for training SSA Regional
Managers on “EEO Ethics and Relationships Matter.” - The 2013 APAs Making Waves Preservation Award from the Asian Pacific American
Historical Society. - The 2012 APA Community Leadership Award from OCA-Georgia.
- The 2011 Commissioner’s Citation, SSA’s highest honor award, for her Lead Investigative work
on Sexual Harassment; Formal Complaints and Disability Programs.
Jane is also an Alumni of the FBI Citizen’s Academy Program which she completed in March 2013.
In 2007 Jane was selected to participate in the Inter-Agency Leadership Government Program (LGP), sponsored by the Atlanta Federal Executive Board. She had the opportunity to work closely with different federal agency representatives and participated in inter- agency projects and site visits.
Jane serves as the Advisor for the Board of Directors for Galing Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization promoting English literacy in the rural areas of the Philippines. Jane has held this position for more than 15 years.
In July 2007, Jane was named a recipient of “Who’s Who in the Asian-American Communities” for her service as a leader and role model in the Asian Community.
Jane received the Leadership and Chairperson Award as the Division Coordinator for the 2008 and 2009 Combined Federal Campaigns (CFC) for her efforts in helping Division 14 surpass its goal.
Jane was born and raised in the Philippines. She graduated with honors from St. Joseph’s College in Quezon City, Philippines, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, major in Economics. Jane was married for 27 years to the late William (Bill) T. Rolen, Jr.
Jocip Sarmiento
MBA – Mortgage banker and realtor at Regal Real Estate and Financial Services
Don Orozco
Mr. Don Orozco is a seasoned professional of the banking industry with over 20 of experience spanning both the Philippines and the United States. Upon graduating from the Philippine School of Business Administration with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1984, he immediately began his career in banking at the Philippine Commercial International Bank in Manila, for which he worked for over 12 years, eventually earning the title of Marketing Relationship Manager. He moved on from PCI Bank to become a Branch Manager of the RCBC Savings Bank in Manila. Prior to immigrating to the US, Don held the position as the Administrative Assistant to the Chairman at the Export Industry Bank in Manila.
Upon immigrating to the US, Don held several positions including the continuation of his bank career at Wells Fargo Bank as a Business Champion and Personal Banker. He shifted into a career in sales in 2014 becoming a Sales Cluster Head for Santa Clara and San Mateo County at PLDT. After a year in that position, Don took on the role of Pre-Planning Advisor (Licensed Life Insurance Agent) at Dignity Memorial, a position that he still occupies today.
Outside of his professional activities, Don has been very active in his community work. He is a former BOD and PRO of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Silicon Valley. He has also served as the PRO for the Filipino Community Center of Santa Clara County. Don has also served on the Board of Directors for the Milpitas Gateway Silicon Valley Lion’s Club and Avenue One Community. He was also a member of the Global Filipino Network and the Bayanihan FilAm Foundation, Inc.
In these roles in the community, Don has had the distinction of leading a delegation of Nurses from the PNA-NorCal to a medical mission in Tacloban, Philippines. He also brought Sheriff Laurie Smith of Santa Clara County to meet with PNP Chief Marquez. He also recruited several FilAm organization to join the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco.
Don’s hobbies and other interest include serving as the US News Correspondent for the Philippine TV Station Net 25, reporting the news and events involving Filipino American Community in the Bay Area. Don is also a Contributing Writer/Ads Specialist for FilAm Star and the Philippine News newspaper. His also works as the TV Ancho for the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Silicon Valley Network, where he interviews and features newsmakers and business owners of the Bay Area. Don is also a licensed Notary Public for the State of California.
Gerry Palon
Contact Information:
Email: gerrypalon@cofacc.org | Phone: (310) 999-5742 | Website: www.cofacc.org
COMMUNITY LEADER | BUSINESS ADVOCATE | STRATEGIC VISIONARY
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Gerry Palon is a dynamic and seasoned leader with over 12 consecutive years of impactful experience in community service and economic advocacy. As President of the national Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce (COFACC), a 45+ strong partner chamber organization spread out across the United States of America, he has championed innovative solutions to foster economic empowerment and cross-cultural collaborations.
Gerry is a staunch advocate for leveraging AI technology to enhance operational efficiencies, narrowing generational gaps within partner organizations, and attracting the next generation of leaders.
Under his leadership, COFACC has institutionalized leadership development initiatives, including the successful launch of its Basic Chamber Management Course in 2023 through the COFACC Leadership Academy. This 10-week self-paced virtual program has graduated 50 chamber leaders to date, preparing them for effective chamber management and ensuring a sustainable pipeline of future leaders. His strong corporate background, coupled with a visionary approach to community development, positions him as a passionate advocate for strengthening community ties through strategic leadership.
CORE VALUES
Gerry Palon brings an invaluable perspective to outreach initiatives, particularly within diverse and underrepresented communities. His commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and financial literacy, combined with his belief in the transformative power of AI technology, aligns with the goals of promoting inclusive growth. Through programs that bridge generational gaps and develop future leaders, he ensures that partner organizations of COFACC remain vibrant, innovative, and forward-thinking.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
President
Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce (COFACC) | 2018 – Present
- Unified over 45 Filipino American Chambers of Commerce across the U.S., creating a robust network of entrepreneurs and business leaders within six years.
- Spearheaded trade delegations that facilitated $500M in investments between U.S.
and Philippine enterprises. - Delivered measurable results, including tripling the Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) achieved at international trade conferences hosted by COFACC.
- Advocated for narrowing generational gaps within COFACC’s partner organizations and attracting future leaders through targeted leadership development initiatives.
- Launched the COFACC Leadership Academy’s Basic Chamber Management Course in 2023, graduating 50 chamber leaders through a 10-week virtual program focused on self-paced chamber management training.
- Introduced AI technology to streamline COFACC’s operations, enhancing efficiency in member management, communications, and event planning, while empowering member chambers to adopt similar tools.
President
Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles | 2015 & 2017
- Led business growth initiatives that supported small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the Filipino American community.
- Advocated for cultural and economic integration through high-profile events and networking opportunities.
Personally Producing Staff Manager & Registered Representative
Western & Southern Life Insurance Co. | 2017–Present
- Leads a high-performing team within a Fortune 500 company specializing in financial investments, insurance, and retirement solutions.
- Provides tailored financial strategies for clients, contributing to the company’s growth and community impact.
General Manager
Top Food Service Companies (Philippines) | 1980 – 2008
- Oversaw operations for industry-leading firms, achieving sustained profitability and operational excellence for over 28 years.
EDUCATION
- MBA, Master of Business Administration – Asian Institute of Management (With Distinction)
- Master’s in Accounting and Finance Management – Keller School of Management, DeVry University (With High Distinction)
- BA in Economics – University of Santo Tomas (Cum Laude)
NOTABLE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Orchestrated strategic planning and events, including the Asian American Business & Cultural Expo, which generated over $100K in net revenue (2024).
- Established the COFACC Leadership Academy’s Basic Chamber Management Course, graduating 50 leaders since 2023 and building a sustainable leadership pipeline.
- Integrated AI technology into COFACC operations, resulting in streamlined workflows and increased engagement across partner chambers.
- Delivered keynote speeches at regional and national conferences on economic resilience, leadership, and cross-cultural business development.
SKILLS
- Strategic Leadership | AI Integration | Community Advocacy
- Public Speaking | Leadership Development | Event Management
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Led philanthropic initiatives promoting financial literacy and entrepreneurship within underserved communities.
- Advocated for generational inclusivity by creating programs to attract and develop young leaders within COFACC.
- Established partnerships with local government agencies, private corporations, and community organizations to expand COFACC’s influence.
