Executive Director
Shala Perez
Executive Director
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Shala was appointed by Governor Kathleen Sebelius to the Kansas Hispanic and Latino
American Affairs Commission in 2007, and was appointed as the commission’s executive
director by Governor Mark Parkinson, in 2009. Shala's career of public service includes
law enforcement, juvenile corrections, teaching, and work in the non-profit sector.
She began her career in law enforcement in 1992 serving as a police officer and
juvenile corrections official. In addition to Shala's law enforcement career, she
also teaches administration of justice courses for Butler County Community College.
Shala has served as lead instructor at Kansas School for Effective Learning (KANSEL),
a non-profit organization dedicated to helping non-traditional students reach their
full potential.
Shala graduated Magna Cum Laude from Butler County Community College, receiving
an Associates of Arts in Police Science. She received her Bachelor of Science in
Criminal Justice from Wichita State University in 1999, and, in 2002, earned a Master
of Arts in Criminal Justice from Wichita State University, with certificates in
Forensic Criminology and Law Enforcement. Shala also completed graduate studies
in public administration and management.
Shala serves on numerous boards and committees, including The United States Council
on Latino Affairs, The Kansas Commission on Graduation and Dropout Prevention and
Recovery, and The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Broadband Advisory Council.
She serves as an ex-officio on the board of directors for the Global Learning Center.
In 2007, Shala was honored for her human rights work by Church Women United, a racially,
culturally, and theologically inclusive group recognized by the United Nations as
a non-governmental organization. Additionally, January 2010 Shala was selected to
serve as an international political exchange delegate for the American Council of
Young Political Leaders, a US Department of State supported program. The Wichita
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce named Shala a 2010 Rising Star, for her leadership
and influence in the Hispanic Community. Shala is also currently nominated for the
Ethical Courage Award presented annually by the Ethics Center of the Institute for
Law Enforcement Administration (ILEA), of Dallas, Texas. Shala is currently a member
of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) and
MANA a National Latina Organization.
Shala has traveled extensively throughout the world, including numerous trips to
Mexico, Central and South America, and Europe. Shala is the proud daughter of a
Peruvian American, Retired United States Air Force Disabled Veteran.
Shala is honored to serve as executive director, and will continue to address public
policy concerns to improve the lives of all Kansans.
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The KHLAAC Commissioners
Robert D. Vinton, Commissioner
Dodge City, Kansas
term expires - 6/30/2011
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My name is Robert D. Vinton. I have been a resident of Kansas for 11 years. I came
to Kansas from Colorado. In Colorado I attended the University of Colorado at Boulder
and obtained my undergraduate degree there. Later I attended the University of Northern
Colorado and completed graduate work related to a Masters Degree in Education. Once
I had completed my course work I took a position at a High School. I taught high
school students for approximately 13 years. After 13 years of teaching I decided
to work toward an administrative degree. As an administrator, I have worked as an
assistant principal, a summer school principal, and as a coordinator of a grant.
Currently, I am employed in USD 443 as an ESL/Migrant Director.
Some of my past experiences include working as a migrant farm worker in Texas, Colorado,
and South Dakota. Several years ago I was nominated and appointed to this board
by the Governor of Kansas. I continue to serve on this board as I support the initiatives
that it has historically undertaken and those efforts that lay before us in the
near and approximate future. I am very honored to serve as a representative of the
Hispanic community through this board.
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Ma. Cecilia Ysaac-Belmares, Commissioner
Kansas City, Kansas
term expires - 6/30/2013
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Ms. Ma. Cecilia Ysaac-Belmares is a life long resident of Wyandotte County and Kansas
City, Kansas. Cecilia graduated with honors from Bishop Ward High School and attended
Donnelly College on a full Presidential Scholarship. Able to continue her education
as a recipient of the GKC Hispanic Scholarship Foundation, Cecilia joined other
Hispanic/Latino students and founded the first HALO chapter on the campuses of The
Univerity of Kansas. Cecilia majored in Latin American Area Studies and received
a B.A. from KU. At the age of 14, Cecilia worked as a bilingual nurse youth aide
with the Piper Migrant Program, a summer enrichment program for children of migrant
farm workers. Recruited by Roberto Lopez Landeros in the late '80's, Cecilia helped
man the phone lines and recorded radio spots for "Fiesta Mexicana" a highly popular
Spanish Language Radio Program featured on KCUR the Kansas City NPR affiliate station.
Throughout her life Cecilia has been involved in various areas within the Hispanic/Latino
Community. By working for the "Fiesta Hispana of GKC" as Volunteer Entertainment
Chair and Mistress of Ceremonies for 16 years, Community Liason for the Guadalupe
Center (KCMO), Family and Education Outreach Advocate at St. Joseph-St. Benedict
Parish in KCKS . In 1998 Cecilia found her calling as a Spanish<>English Language
Medical Interpreter at KU Medical Center. In 2004 Cecilia became the first Wyandotte
Countian to fullfill and complete the requirements established by the National Consortium
for Language Access in the Courts, of Certified State Court Spanish Language Interpreter.
To date Cecilia is one of only two people from Wyandotte County with this State
Certification. Cecilia enjoys spending time with her intergenerational family made
up of her husband, two children, and mother and father, while still finding time
as an entrepreneur and Freelance Interpreter managing an Interpreting and Translation
service. Cecilia maintains ties to her community through membership with MANA de
Kansas City, Los Promotores de Salud--El Centro Inc., University of Kansas Medical
Center Community Advisor on Latino Health and Research Projects, JayDoc Free Clinic,
and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas Sister Cities
program. As a U.S. Mexican, Cecilia looks forward to sharing a promising future
with all Kansans proud to demonstrate the achievements of their rich historical
multicultural heritage.
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Arturo Ponce, Commissioner
Kismet, Kansas
term expires - 6/30/2011
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Arturo has been a resident of Southwest area of Kansas since 1988. Arturo was born
and raised in Chihuahua, Mexico, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics
from the University of Chihuahua and served a faculty member of the university’s
School of Chemistry. In 2001, Arturo assumed the position of United Methodist Mexican-American
Ministries Coordinator of Minority HIV Prevention and Care, in the Southwest region
of Kansas. Arturo is also a national trainer for the American Red Cross HIV Hispanic
Prevention Program and the Chair of Education for Hispanos Unidos de Liberal Kansas.
Arturo’s deep involvement in serving the needs of his community are evident through
his history of service, which includes: participating on the US Mexico Border Health
Association, John Snow Institute Advisory Board and as a national trainer for its
ENLACES project; member of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment HIV Prevention
Community Planning Group, since 2002; member of the Kismet Lions Club; and graduate
of the Kansas Health Foundation Fellows program 2007; lector and Communion Minister
for the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, D.C. and St. Patrick Church in Plains, Kansas.
Arturo has been married to Dora Ponce since 1988. Arturo and Dora have 2 children,
Alberto and Ulysses Alejandro.
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Peter Jasso, Commissioner
Topeka, Kansas
term expires - 6/30/2011
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After graduating from USC's School of Cinema-Television with a degree in Film/ Video
Production, Peter Jasso worked in a variety of capacities in the entertainment industry
including: sound recordist and designer for independent film/video projects, development
for American Zoetrope and Esparza-Katz, and instructor at the New York Film Academy's
Los Angeles office. He is an alumnus of Film Independent's Project Involve Mentorship
program. Peter also produced a short film in Kansas that screened as part of the
American Film Institute International Film Festival in LA and is in post-production
on "Waiting for the Son", a feature project starring Lupe Ontiveros and Brian Aldiss.
Currently, Peter serves as the Director of the Kansas Film Commission and is an
appointed member of the Governor's Council for Cultural Affairs.
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Jesse Romo, Commissioner
Topeka, Kansas
term expires - 6/30/2011
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Born and raised in Los Angeles, Jesse is a Kansan by choice. His wife, Marisol,
is a native Topekan and together they have two children.
Jesse’s professional portfolio includes experience in staffing, retail, aviation/transportation,
government, non-profit and social service. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Los
Angeles Mission College, has a bachelor degree from UCLA in sociology and a Master
of Business Administration with a focus in aviation and specialization in human
resource management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Jesse is also a part-time
adjunct instructor for Baker University’s School of Professional and Graduate Studies
teaching courses in critical thinking and conflict resolution.
As a long time instrument rated private pilot, Jesse remains active in the state’s
aviation community. He serves as the Outreach Chair for the Kansas Commission on
Aerospace Education and is an Airport Support Network Volunteer for the Aircraft
Owners and Pilots Association at Topeka Billard Airport.
Jesse is currently the director of special projects for the Topeka Housing Authority
and is dedicated to advancing the quality of life for all Kansans.