Marco Mancillas, Vice President Operations

Marco Mancillas is a government affairs and communications professional with over 15 years of government and campaign experience. Marco started as a staffer in the Texas Senate, Texas House of Representatives, Austin City Council and as Texas House Assistant Committee Clerk for County Affairs. His political work eventually lead him into working in advocacy using his lasting relationships in the legislature to lead the efforts on reform for countless business and non-profit organizations.

Marco brings a wealth of experience with bond, local, county, state and congressional campaigns. He has served as Chief of Staff for State House Representatives. He developed legislative priorities, managed stakeholders, and provided high level policy research. Besides an emphasis on the budget and appropriations process, his major focus was on healthcare, business and commerce, insurance, and county affairs.

Marco has held various executive leadership positions. He worked for organizations such as Gold Communications, MELJ Justice Center, Texas Hispanic Physicians Association, Texas College of Emergency Room Physicians, Texas Association of Realtors, Discovery Programs, and the United States Hispanic Contractors Association.

Marco’s communication work has served local, county, state and federal entities. Also, tech companies, hospital healthcare systems, trade associations and non-profits.

His tenure as a communication advisor provides valuable insight to strategy and positive outcomes in any governmental entity. His experience on persuasive and influential messaging gain opportunities to access new clients for business.

Alyssa Ramirez, Senior Consultant & Collaborator

email: alyssa@saldanapr.com

Alyssa is a native Texan born and raised in a small town south of Houston. After high school, she moved to Austin, TX, to pursue an education at St. Edward’s University as a first-generation college student. Alyssa earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from St. Edward’s, which she used as a STEM educator for over ten years in after-school and public school settings. In 2019 she left Del Valle ISD to begin a career in public health, graduating in 2021 from the University of Southern California with a Master in Public Health degree. Throughout her graduate coursework, Alyssa became actively involved in bringing much-needed resources to families in Southeast Austin, the Eastern Crescent, and the Extra-Territorial Jurisdiction of Travis County.

Alyssa is passionate about cultivating healthy communities for generations to come. Closing health disparity gaps and advocating for policies that enrich the environment in which Travis County children live and play is of the utmost importance. Using her lived experience as a single mother, former educator, and community activist, along with the knowledge obtained through her education, Alyssa delivers a unique, compassionate perspective to the Saldaña Public Relations team.

Al Duarte, Senior Consultant & Collaborator

email: al@saldanapr.com

Al Duarte is a native Austinite and grew up with big dreams. As a young entrepreneur, in 1999 he opened his own jewelry store and his work has been seen at the Grammy Awards through Los Lonely Boys. Following his passion for music, Al manages & promotes bands in Central Texas and currently works with Grammy Award winning artists. Working with many accomplished clients and businesses, his brand (Al Duarte Management) has earned him a reputation as being a highly capable and an experienced administrative professional. Al quickly was seasoned to the industry standards and roles needed to elevate his career and publishing knowledge.

From March 2011-2022, Al served as an Advisory Board member for the A.B Cantu Pan-American Recreation Center, serving as a liaison between the city, the recreation center and the neighborhood to properly serve the community. Al is responsible for the infrastructure and production of the yearly community concerts (Summer Hillside Concert Series) presented to audiences of over 4,000 weekly.

With his instant access to music, arts and entertainment through grassroots marketing, Al Duarte developed a devoted following and in 2011 created Gold Man Records. Gold Man Records is a new Independent Label Representing Texas’ finest musicians, bringing you music and shows that generate excitement in a variety of music genres.

Al Duarte is the CFO and an original founder and co-creator of Blue Agave Travel which owns The Tejanos In Paradise Cruise. Creating the logo, designs and promotions personally the company has seen much success. Al’s company has been fortunate to have secured an amazing lineup of legendary Tejano artists .

Al was appointed by the Austin City Council to Austin’s Music Commission serving as a Commissioner from 2015-2019.

In 2019, Al founded and created Fiesta Austin, LLC. Fiesta Austin presents events that pay tribute to Hispanic history, heritage, music, and cultural traditions in the heart of East Austin, Texas.

Utilizing his lived experience as a native Austinite and recognition of the importance of Latino history, cultural heritage and traditions, Al brings an important perspective, skills set and professionalism to the Saldaña Public Relations team.

Eliza May, Senior Consultant & Collaborator

email: eliza@saldanapr.com

Eliza May, M.S.S.W, LMSW, is a mission centered professional who has dedicated herself to the Austin Hispanic community, state government and nonprofit organizations. A recent retiree from the Susan G. Komen organization, she was honored to served on the Komen Leadership Council advocating for health equity in underinsured and uninsured communities.

Eliza brings state government expertise having served in various executive capacities, from legislative aide in the Texas House of Representatives to executive director roles to two state regulatory state agencies. Her expertise has assisted the Retired State Employees Association (RSEA) Board of Directors during the past four years where she has served as a trustee and has developed membership strategies.

A former President and CEO for the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GAHCC), Eliza led the Chamber organization to national status. A natural collaborator, strategist and leader, she received national and regional awards from the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. A sought-after business resource and advocate for Latinos across Central Texas and the state, Eliza advocated successfully for improvements in procurement practices with state and local governments. Selected by her peers, she Chaired the City of Austin’s minority and small business advisory board for a record eight years. Eliza is a founding member of Hispanic Advocates Business Leaders of Austin, (HABLA) forum and serves on the accompanying PAC. Trusting Eliza’s leadership, Mayor Kirk Watson recently appointed her to serve on the city’s Hispanic-Latino Quality of Life Commission.

Eliza’s service on many nonprofits’ boards, city commissions and volunteer efforts in the Austin community has availed her to a large and diverse network of community and thought leaders.

Eliza and her husband, Trace Kelly, have been married over 20 years and travel extensively. This travel experience brings new concepts on problem solving and civic engagement to the team of Saldaña Public Relations.

Alyson Vargas, Project Coordinator, Community Engagement & Communications

email: alyson@saldanapr.com

Introducing Alyson, a distinguished professional with an impressive educational background and a deep passion for community development. Holding a Bachelor of Science in Communication and Leadership, a Bachelor of Arts in Sustainability, and a Master's of Community and Regional Planning from the esteemed University of Texas at Austin.

Alyson's expertise in community outreach shines through her previous roles and experiences. As a graduate assistant at the Urban Information Lab, she honed her skills in facilitating effective communication to conduct surveys and plans to inform the public about renewable energy initiatives.

Her other role as a GIS Analyst at Farm and City focuses on advancing equitable transit-oriented development in Austin and driving initiatives to enhance affordable housing density. Throughout her academic journey, Alyson collaborated on diverse projects, engaging with private and public companies, and she is renowned for her adeptness in conducting participatory planning practices that embrace inclusivity with youth, the elderly, and minority communities.

Residing in Austin for the past seven years has fostered in Alyson an immense enthusiasm for connecting with residents and bridging communication gaps to ensure their voices are heard. Her dedication to communities' right to shape their cities' future informs her outreach methods, making her a valuable addition to the firm.

Alyson's readiness to join a dynamic firm and continue her professional growth underscores her commitment to excellence in community-driven communication and development.

Stephanie Gatica, Project Coordinator, Community Engagement & Special Events

email: stephanie@saldanapr.com

Stephanie is a fourth generation native Austinite highly regarded for her expertise as an event planner and community engagement coordinator. With strong organizational, planning and presentation skills and over twenty-two years of experience, she continues to demonstrate her ability with proven results and positive impacts.

Stephanie has immense enthusiasm for building bridges with residents providing access to events, resources, information, programs and opportunities to improve the quality of life for all Austinites.

Stephanie is a recent Magna Cum Laude Graduate from Huston-Tillotson University earning a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice.

She remains committed to making a positive impact in Austin through community work and service.