David Garcia
President

David is a bilingual Chicano transplant to Seattle from Texas, via the Midwest, where he completed a fellowship with the University of Wisconsin. As a population health fellow, he conducted research projects in infant mortality, teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. He is a graduate of the School of Public Health at the University of Texas Health Science Center and well experienced in HIV/AIDS prevention education through his work with AIDS Foundation Houston. His passion within public health is informed through his vested interest in finding solutions to reduce racial/ethnic health disparities that directly affect the Latino community.

 

Benjamín Sheppard
Vice-President

Benjamin Sheppard is a seasoned activist with a long history with national organizations. He most recently served in public relations for the HIV Vaccine Trails Network and Marketing Manager for the Latino Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Organization (LLEGÓ). His expertise is in bilingual medical writing, social marketing, public affairs and graphic design.

Originally from the Canal Zone in Panama, he graduated from the University of Washington, and holds Washington state certification as a medical/social services translator/interpreter. He’s a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalist, National Association of Lesbian and Gay Journalists, the American Translators Association, and serves on the steering committee for the Seattle Metropolitan Elections Committee (SEAMEC).

Edgar Hernandez
Secretary

Edgar Hernandez, a social worker, obtained his graduate degree from the University of Washington School of Social Work in 2004. He has worked providing services to patients in a medical and jail setting. He is devoted to aiding marginalized communities in accessing medical care, basic needs, and counseling services.

 

Javier Ortiz
Treasurer

Javier Ortíz was born in the Federal District of Mexico, raised in Oaxaca. He has lived in the U.S. for 18 years, moving to Seattle seven years ago. He considers himself a widower, with the passing of his partner. He is active in the transgender community in Seattle. Javier works in a residential restoration company. He serves with Entre Hermanos because he feels the duty to help future generations of LGBT Latinos that live in Washington.

 

Hector Rodriguez, Ph.D.
Member-at-large

Dr. Hector Rodriguez is Assistant Professor of Health Services at the University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine.
His work has been published in Medical Care, the Journal of General Internal Medicine, the International Journal for Quality in Health Care, Medical Care Research and Review, and other peer reviewed journals. He received his Ph.D. in Health Policy from Harvard University.

Michael Mendibles
Member-at-large

Michael Mendibles is from in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he did extensive volunteer work with the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and then with the San Francisco Stop AIDS Project. He moved with Xerox to Washington in 2004. Wanting to get involved with the LGBT community in Seattle as soon as possible after his arrival, he volunteered with the LGBT Community Center where he found out about Entre Hermanos. He began contributing to Entre Hermanos by volunteering substantial amounts of his time to several projects and events, and was eventually asked to join the Board, where he represents the concerns Latino LGBTQ youth.