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Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce - COFACC

Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce

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Veronica Tittensor

Veronica is an experienced legal secretary with a diverse background in various legal fields. With a keen eye for detail and exceptional transcription skills, she has been instrumental in transcribing depositions, particularly in cases involving child abuse and divorce. Her commitment to justice extends beyond the courtroom, as she has also served as a confidant and officer for Bayanihan, a community-based organization dedicated to social welfare. She has been a trusted translator for incarcerated Filipinos, ensuring effective communication between inmates and legal professionals.

 

In addition to her legal expertise, Veronica has worked as a house inspector for GSIS, where she coordinated property inspections and verified measurements. Her customer service skills shine in her previous role with Jet Blue Airways, where she excelled in customer success for high-end clientele.

 

Outside of work, she cherishes her family life, having been happily married for 30+ years and being a proud mother of two daughters and a grandmother to a grandson. Veronica’s compassionate and nurturing nature is evident in all aspects of her life, making her a valuable asset both personally and professionally.

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.

William Peetoom

William Peetoom, RCFE is a committed community building leader, advocate and zentrepreneur. Experience includes private, nonprofit and public sectors in technology and healthcare with a specialized MarComm with a strong interest towards Asian Pacific Islander(API) socio-economic development and elder-adult, care policy and reform.

Community involvement includes but is not limited to the support for civil rights and liberties for the Asian Pacific Islander(API) and Aging Adult communities. Currently a certified California State licensed RCFE Administrator, Care & Compliance and is a certified San Diego County Long Term Elder-Care Ombudsman with the County of San Diego Aging & Independence Services and Senior Care policy and reform endorsed City Commissioner for San Diego County Mayoral Senior Affairs.

Previous career paths within digital communication led him to be a pioneer with an Internet online production of live streaming Internet news talk radio, simulcast to AM talk radio. Having a passion for technology, small business growth and development led him to the develop The Kaizen Group(TKG) which harnesses technology, social media and networking connectivity between local, regional and a global business networks. As a resource internationally; The Kaizen Group(TKG) is a collective of management for new business development for product/service distribution and influence with IT digital marketing services, and medical tourism and retirement abroad.

Dedicated civil volunteer; service and community involvement includes being an active member and current presiding President Elect & CEO of the FilAmChamber of Commerce of San Diego County(FACCSD), Co-Founding Board of Director for the Coalition of Filipino-American Chambers of Commerce(COFACC), and Board Member of the Federation of Filipino-American Chambers of Commerce(FPACC) and Co-Founder of the Integrative Medicine Discussion Group(IMDG) for the advancement and development of Integrative Medicine into mainstream healthcare.

Joseph L. Joseph


Mr. Joseph L. Joseph has led a successful career in the Wireless Industry for the past 20 + years as a Business Development Manager.

Joseph is resident of Anaheim, CA Orange County, and is an avid golfer, football and basketball fan — Go Celtics!

Joseph spends a lot of time on weekend with family and friends.

Joseph graduated from college at Colegio de Juan de Letran, Intramuros Manila. He attended high school at St Thomas Aquinas, San Juan Metro Manila.