Ruben Escobedo
Originally from the Los Angeles/Orange County area, Ruben is a joint Rotarian and Rotaractor raising his family and practicing law in the Santa Maria Valley. He first joined a Rotary club in Brea, CA, and currently serves as the Vocational Service Co-Chair for the Santa Maria Rotary Club. Rotary introduced Ruben to Rotaract, and he currently serves as the Rotary liaison and Secretary. Ruben is an attorney specializing in civil litigation with the law firm of Lynberg & Watkins, APC. Ruben is also a parishioner at St. Louis de Montfort in Orcutt, and a member of the Santa Maria Business Development Center.
Jose Zepeda
President – Elect
Jose has resided in the Central Coast since 2004 and experienced the joy of home ownership first-hand at the young age of only 23. Now as a Real Estate Agent, Jose is driven to bring that same proud moment he experienced first-hand to every one of his clients. Jose’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that each client is as important as the next and that each client’s aspirations are as important as his own. Jose currently serves as Community Service Chair for the Rotaract Club. He has a passion for giving back to the community as this has always been paramount to him. He enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and spending time with loved ones.
Jose has resided in the Central Coast since 2004 and experienced the joy of home ownership first-hand at the young age of only 23. Now as a Real Estate Agent, Jose is driven to bring that same proud moment he experienced first-hand to every one of his clients. Jose’s philosophy is rooted in the belief that each client is as important as the next and that each client’s aspirations are as important as his own. Jose currently serves as Community Service Chair for the Rotaract Club. He has a passion for giving back to the community as this has always been paramount to him. He enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and spending time with loved ones.
Alex Magaña
Past President
Alex Magaña serves as the Coordinator and Club President of the Santa Maria Valley Rotaract Club. Alex was born in Texas, Laredo but moved soon after to California. Her family traveled a great deal thought out California until they finally made the move to Santa Maria. Volunteering has always been a passion of hers from a young age. Alex loves being involved in community service projects that make a difference in her community. Alex is currently the Events and Special Projects Manager for the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitor & Convention Bureau. When she isn’t out serving her community and working, she enjoys spending time with her husband Jose and 6 month old daughter Alina Rose. Like any true Santa Maria local, she enjoys good BBQ and the local wine scene we are so fortunate to have here in the Santa Maria Valley. As President, she looks forward to engaging with various community groups and spreading the mission of Rotaract not only in Santa Maria, but all throughout Santa Barbara County.
Lorena Maldonado
Director of Finance
Lorena Maldonado has lived in the central coast for the past 21 years, she graduated from Santa Maria High School, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and minor in Sociology from Chapman University. Currently she works with the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District specifically at Santa Maria High School in the Special Education Department. Lorena, first joined Santa Maria Valley Rotaract in 2015. Lorena has served as the Treasurer of the SMV Rotaract since March of 2015 and is currently involved as a volunteer in the Rotary International program “End Polio Now.” Lorena has always had a passion for volunteering, not only in her community, but also on international volunteer programs as well. She joined a volunteer team in 2012 and 2013 to aide with the Japan Tsunami relief and re-build. When she’s not volunteering or working, Lorena enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, reading, as well as traveling and learning about different cultures around the world.