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Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce - COFACC

Coalition of Filipino American Chambers of Commerce

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Executive Board

Jocip Sarmiento

MBA – Mortgage banker and realtor at Regal Real Estate and Financial Services

Lany Snyder

Lany is a dedicated community leader and business owner, committed to promoting Filipino heritage and supporting local businesses, As the owner of Palai Lifestyle, LLC, she provides high-quality native products from the Philippines, fostering cultural appreciation and supporting Filipino artisans. Lany’s entrepreneurial spirit is also evident in her role as Vice President of One Fil-Am Market, Ltd., where she plays a pivotal role in promoting Filipino-American businesses and cultural heritage.

Since relocating to Colorado in 2021, Lany has been an active participant in the Filipino business community, regularly attending and supporting various vendor and fundraising events. Her involvement has strengthened ties within the community and contributed to the growth and visibility of Filipino enterprises.

Lany previously served as a fundraising partner for the Filipino-American Association of the Kaiserslautern Military Community in Germany, contributing to various initiatives that benefited Filipino-American families. Her dedication to community service extends to personally organizing multiple community service events in the Philippines, including student backpack drives for underserved elementary schools in the Davao Region, strengthening Lany’s commitment to education and community development.

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.