Board of Directors

United Portuguese S.E.S. Inc.

2020 Board of Directors

President
Ricardo da Rosa

Ricardo is the President of the United Portuguese SES Inc. He was born on July 26, 1971 in San Diego to Joe & Marly da Rosa. Raised in Point Loma, he like his father, attended Cabrillo Elementary School and was an Altar Boy at St. Agnes Church. Like many his age, he was always in the parade and has many childhood memories of the Hall, the Festa, Fish Fry, and many other events. He hopes to preserve the institution of the Hall for generations to come and hopes he can add to the custodial nature of the board. Ricardo married in 2012 to Hanna Monica da Rosa who often volunteers in the Hall Kitchen. Ricardo became GM of the FV Pacific Princess in 2003. Now in his current capacity as an owner and operator he is heavily involved in the industry. He is an active member of the American Tuna Boat Association, State Department negotiation teams including covering the US Distant Water Tuna Fleet access agreements as well as being included in the US Delegation to the annual International Management Conference as well as 2 government Advisory Panels on fishing in the Pacific. Locally, Ricardo is involved in the San Diego community through the San Diego Rotary Club #33 and its work with Veterans as well as with the Monarch School. Recently he has been asked to be on the Executive Steering Committee for the redevelopment of Seaport Village.
Vice President
Annette Balelo

Annette is the Vice President of the United Portuguese SES Inc. This is Annette’s fifth year on the Board of Directors. Annette was born and raised in the Portuguese Community of Point Loma. She is a first generation American. Both of her Parents and Grandparents are from Paul Do Mar, Madiera Portugal. Annette has worked for San Diego County Credit Union for over 15 years as a Vice President and Branch Manager.
Secretary
Korinne Madruga Monroig
Korinne is serving her first term on the Board of Directors. She is the past Supreme President of the SPRSI as well as a former Financial Secretary of the UPSES Inc. Korinne has three children and one grandchild. She is very excited to be a Board of Director and give back to the Portuguese community. Her Father, Anthony Madruga, was dedicated volunteer to the Portuguese community and decided she wanted to follow his footsteps and give back.
Treasurer
Daniel A. Silva
Daniel is the Treasurer of the United Portuguese SES Inc. This is Daniel’s third term being on the Board of Directors. He is a Past President of the United Portuguese SES Inc., Portuguese-American Dancers of San Diego and the Portuguese Historical Center. He is currently employed with Banner Bank as the Client Service Manager at the Point Loma branch. Daniel has a great dedication to his San Diego Portuguese community. He has great experience in event planning working with charities and organizations like the Cabrillo Civic Club #16, Huntington’s Disease Society of America, Portuguese Historical Center, St. Agnes Church, Point Loma High School, Loma Portal Elementary, Balboa City School and UPSES Inc., just to name a few. Daniel speaks fluent Portuguese, Spanish and English.
Parliamentarian
Therese Garces

Therese was the 2015 Festa President. She also serves as President of the Portuguese Historical Center and Director of the Portuguese-American Dancers of San Diego. Therese has been married for 43 years to her husband Jose Pedro Garces and has 3 children named Pete, Travis and Janeé and 2 grandson’s named Jose Pedro Garces III and Franco Gabriel Garces. Family is everything to Therese and she has a great love for the San Diego Portuguese community. Therese is also the Portuguese Market Manager here at the UPSES Inc.
2020 Festa Presidents
Brian & Deborah Dutra

Deborah and I and our family are so honored and humbled to be hosting the 110th Festa do Divino Espírito Santo. We know that we only play a small part in this beautiful event and that without the continuous support of our community our Festa would not be possible. We are very excited to meet and work with so many volunteers and familiar faces and we offer the Festa to all the volunteers that make this all happen.

Deborah and I grew up participating in the Festa and have so many fond memories. It has been important for us to carry our traditions, heritage and faith to the Holy Spirit down to our children; teaching them the values of our forefathers. Through the years I have been very involved with the UPSES Inc. and Festa as a Board of Director or volunteer. For thirteen years I made all the signs, vara poles, decorated the Capella and hall and worked with so many wonderful volunteers and Festa presidents; friendships that I will always cherish. I knew when our daughter was born that we would be Festa Presidents one day. Even though it wasn’t planned for this year, something just felt right and that it was time.

Since accepting the Festa, we have received so much overwhelming support from the community and are truly grateful. We hope we can only honor Queen Saint Isabel, The Holy Spirit and our Portuguese Community with a beautiful Festa. We look forward to seeing all of you over this next year making new memories, friendships and having a successful 110th Festa do Espírito Santo.
Board of Director
Megan Altimimi
This is Megan’s first term on the Board of Directors. Megan wants to be a part of the UPSES Board of Directors to have a part in continuing the importance of the Portuguese culture for others as well as for her future family and children. She believes that we are a unique culture where we have a place to meet and a haven for our youth and elderly. She has been involved with the Portuguese-American Dancers, not as a dancer but a volunteer, for the past seven years. Her sister has been a dancer for the past seven years as well. Megan got the opportunity to travel with the dance group to Portugal in 2017 and had an incredible experience. She has also volunteered for the Festa for many years and in 2018 assisted the Jorge family being a group leader and sewing dresses. Megan works at Filmetrics. She is excited to be a part of the UPSES and hopes to make a difference.
Board of Director
Marissa Bagaso
Marissa Bagaso is 100% Portuguese and has been a part of the Portuguese community since she was born. When she moved to Sacramento she was an active member of the SPHSS Portuguese Hall. Since moving back to San Diego, Marissa has been looking for an opportunity to help serve the community and feels being a part of the UPSES Board of Directors will offer her that opportunity.
Board of Director
John Barbosa
John Barbosa lived in Boston, Massachusetts and moved to San Diego with his wife Andrea and son Alex in 1998. He works for Superior Cement and in 2013 was asked to be on the security team for the UPSES Festa. He loved working Festa and realized he could work closer with the community and joined the UPSES Board of Directors. He has also been very involved with the Portuguese-American Dancers where 2 of his children took part in. He has really enjoyed his time working with the UPSES and now that things are better at home after his son Alex’s accident he believes that it is a good idea to come back and give back to the community once again. John loves his Portuguese community and culture and wants to keep it going for his children.
Board of Director
Natalie Brasil
Board of Director
Sean Cerny
This is Sean's first term on the Board of Directors. Sean is the son of John Cerny and grandson of Elise Cerny. He is a St. Charles and Point Loma High School alumni. Sean has participated in the Portuguese Festa for over 25 years and had the opportunity to be King in 2006 when his Uncle and Aunt gave the Festa. He is currently employed at American Tuna and a High School Football coach at Granite Hills.
Board of Director
Chris DaRosa
This is Chris’s second term on the Board of Directors. Chris has been involved with the UPSES Festa do Espirito Santo for as long as he can remember. He is extremely proud of his family’s contributions to the Portuguese community of San Diego. His family has presided over three UPSES Festas. His Mom and Dad in 1985, His sister Evelyn Feliciano for the Centennial in 2010 and his Mom again in memory of his father in 2017. Chris’s father was the founder of the UPSES Filarmonica and received the title of Comendador from the Portuguese government for his many philanthropic activities. His Mom is by far the all-time ticket sales champion for every organization who asks, and has always been the “wind beneath everyone’s wings.” In the past, Chris has served on the Bingo, Community Functions and Scholarship committees. He was also the Co-Chair of the UPSES Portuguese Market Committee. Chris is currently the President for the Aliança Açoreana where he is finishing his 5th year. He keeps himself busy being involved with the Portuguese Community here in Point Loma and is excited to start his second term as a Board of Director with the UPSES.
Board of Director
Martha DaRosa
This is Martha's first term on the Board of Directors. She is currently employed at Balboa Travel. She joined the Board of Directors to be more involved in her husbands heritage. Martha is very fond of the Portuguese community and believes it's very important to preserve the culture and traditions which have been happening for many years. She is also involved with the Girl Scouts of America with her daughters. She is extremely excited to be a part of the UPSES Board of Directors.
Board of Director
Michelle Freitas Eskra

Michelle is the daughter of Basilio Freitas. Basilio had a huge heart for the Portuguese community, loved his heritage and lived with great faith in the Holy Spirit. He died when Michelle was too young to remember, however through her Mother Rachel Freitas and friends she was able to know him through stories and to feel his love through her own faith. Michelle cherishes the traditions of her culture and is grateful to be passing them down to her own children.
Michelle has been involved with the UPSES since she can remember. From being in the Festa at a young age, to being a group leader, to helping in the Bazaar in the children's booth, Michelle has always been very active in the Portuguese community.
Michelle is also a Board of Director of PCH and serves at the San Diego Rescue Mission. She is the Director of Haven of Hope, which is a Safe Haven recovery program serving women and women with children experiencing homelessness, and a preschool serving children 2-5. Within this program, they offer each student the opportunity to develop a relationship with Christ, begin healing, learn about themselves, gain, or further develop skills needed to sustain independence in the community. Michelle believes serving the Holy Spirit, feeding and educating the poor and to provide support to those without.
Board of Director
Gayle Frank

Gayle Frank is serving her fifth year as a Board of Director. Gayle has been very involved in the Portuguese community majority of her life, learning about her culture from her Grandparents and Parents. She has volunteered for many organizations and participated at all UPSES Festa’s following in her family’s footsteps. Most recently Gayle was the President of the Cabrillo Civic Club of SD. In her free time she supports and volunteers for a variety of different organizations at the UPSES hall and enjoys it very much.
Board of Director
Rod Guidi
Rod was born in San Diego to Virginia & Julio Guidi. Raised in Point Loma, he comes from a long line of commercial fisherman. His grandfather Luigi Guidi, can be found on the “Tunamens Memorial” as one of the founding fathers of the tuna fishing industry. His portuguese Grandmother “Mary Montero Silva” was one of the first Festa Queens at the U.P.S.E.S hall. Rod is serving his first term on the Board of Directors, he previously served on the UPSES Bar committee and Marketing committee. He looks forward to helping the hall in their long term fundraising events and bringing in a new vision. He has a extensive working background, with over 24 years experience in the restaurant & Bar industry, currently a production lead for General Atomics Aeronautical and he also own’s his own business “Guidi Films” where he has earned a reputation for technical and creative excellence. Family is everything to Rod, he has been married for 35 years to Susie Guidi and they have 4 children and 4 grandchildren. He looks forward to serving San Diego’s Portuguese community.
Board of Director
Brian Kiesz
This is Brian's first term on the Board of Directors. Brian is the son of Natalie Brasil. He has been a volunteer for the UPSES for many years and likes to help out wherever he is needed. Being Portuguese, Brian believes continuing the culture and traditions is extremely important and that is why he decided to serve on the Board of Directors.
Board of Director
Jenna LoCoco

Jenna is serving her first term as a Board of Director. She is from Chula Vista and has recently moved to Point Loma near St. Agnes Church. Jenna has a strong desire to serve as Director of the UPSES. Some of her favorite memories are participating in the Festa, attending the annual Crab Feast and BBQ dinners and many other events here at the UPSES. Jenna is a Paralegal/Legal Assistant in Hillcrest and enjoys her profession very much. Her goal is to serve the community she loves and to help spread the Portuguese traditions and culture to everyone.
Board of Director
Frank Macedo
Frank is serving his first term as a Board of Director. He joined the Portuguese-American Dancers three years ago and has since continued to participate at events and special functions at the Portuguese Hall. In 2017, he was able to travel to Portugal with the dance group and was grateful for the opportunity. In the past couple years, Frank has volunteered at several events such as the Fish Fry, Crab Feast and the BBQ. His father Jose Antonio Macedo is from Pico and is also actively involved with the Portuguese community.
Board of Director
Bridgette Mack
This is Bridgette’s first term on the Board of Directors. She is 4th generation Portuguese from Point Loma. She has experience in accounting, private events, operations management and human resources. She is currently a Human Resource Manager and has volunteered for the UPSES Youth Group, Portuguese-American Dancers, Miss Cabrillo Festival and the Festa.
Board of Director
Jaquelyn Neves
This is Jaquelyn's first term on the Board of Directors. She is the daughter of Manny & Dina Neves whom are both Portuguese decent. Her Mother was born in Cape Town, South Africa and her parents are from Paul do Mar. Jaquelyn's Father was born on Pico Island. She has participated as a Portuguese-American Dancer since the age of 5 making her a member for over 17 years. She is currently serves as the Vice President of the dancers. Jaquelyn also has participated in many UPSES events such as BINGO, Fish Fry, Crab Feast and Festa da Lapa just to name a few. She is excited to help continue a tradition that has been in the community for many years.
Board of Director
Steve Pedro
Steve is serving his first term as a Board of Director. His parents and grandparents immigrated here from Fuseta, Algarve, Portugal in the 1960s. Both of his grandfathers started fishing at a young age in Portugal. His father was a fisherman here in San Diego. Steve grew up in Point Loma and speaks Portuguese and Spanish fluently. Steve has been self-employed as an International Trade Advisor for over 11 years. He has had the opportunity of traveling to so many places around the world, traveling on average 140,000 miles per year. He is very proud of his Portuguese heritage and looks forward in serving the community and keeping the traditions alive.
Board of Director
Louis Rosario

Louis is serving his first term as a Board of Director. His parents were from Porto Santo, Portugal. Louis was born in Oakland, CA, 2nd of 4 kids. He served in the Army in New Bedford, MA and attended San Diego City College and then later attended Cosmetology school. Louis worked for the US Post Office for 33 years and worked for American Airlines for 15 years. He began to volunteer at the Portuguese Hall to help Ed Rose and the last 4 years has been a part of the UPSES Maintenance committee along with Joe Silva. He then became a part of the UPSES BINGO Committee and is a dedicated volunteer.
Board of Director
Phyllis Silveira
Phyllis grew up in Point Lomawhere she participated in many of the SES events and functions. She belonged to SPRSI, danced with the Portuguese American dancers for many years, and even had the honor of singing fados with the Point Loma Strings. Phyllis participated in many of the Festas and this is a tradition she passed on to all of her children. She is very proud of her heritage and has instilled that pride in her children and her grandchildren. She has recently retired and moved back from Las Vegas to San Diego and was very pleased to become a member of the UPSES Board of Directors. She is excited to continue passing on her heritage and history to her family and participating in a community that gave her so many amazing memories as a child, and will continue to give her family memories.
Board of Director
Yvonne Siragusa
This is Yvonne's fifth term on the Board of Directors. She is very proud of her Portuguese heritage and wants to continue to be a part of it so it can continue for many years to come. Yvonne is very active on the Bar and BINGO committees. She is self-employed and owns Siragusa Gardening and works part-time at Postal Annex. She has 2 children and 1 grandchild. Yvonne instills in her children the importance of giving back to the community and to preserve the culture and traditions that have been happening here for over 100 years.
Board of Director
Marisea "Cici" Stanley

Marisea "Cici" Stanley was born and raised in Point Loma, California. She is the daughter of former Festa Preisdents, Paul and Maria Stanley, the granddaughter of three-time Festa Queen Mary Rosa and great granddaughter of Pioneer Tuna Fisherman Manuel Rosa.

Growing up in Point Loma gave Cici the foundation from which she was able to create strong ties to the UPSES Hall, Portuguese Community, and to St. Agnes Church. Cici has served on the Board of Directors of the Portuguese Historical Center for 3 years and continues to support various Portuguese organizations. In December 2019, Cici, along with her sisters, chaired the Brunch with Santa Festa fundraiser. Cici's children, Eva and Dylan, are members of the Portuguese-American Dancers. Eva, now 14, recently graduated to the big group having been in the dance group since the age of 5.
Cici is very involved in several San Diego volunteer organizations but her culture and history are what she is most passionate about. Being a history professor by profession (Point Loma Nazarene University and Miramar College), one of her research focus' is on immigration which has led her to many interesting findings about the Portuguese migration to America. Being on the UPSES Board would be an opportunity for her to do her part, give back and learn more about how we can keep our culture alive. This is Cici's first term on the Board of Directors.
Board of Director
Natalie A Virissimo
This is Natalie's second term on the Board of Directors. She is the granddaughter of Portuguese immigrants and is extremely proud of the culture and traditions of her ancestors. She is also a Board of Director of the Festa do Santo Amaro. She is currently employed at UCSD as a Financial Analyst. She decided it was time to come back and give back to her community after taking some time off to assist in caring for her Mother.
Manager
Andrea DaLuz

Andrea DaLuz has been the U.P.S.E.S. Inc. Manager for over 17 years. She has three children and two grandchildren. Andrea takes great pride in working for the hall and says she does it all to work with the people of our community. She enjoys assisting in hall rentals and giving tours of our facility. If you have questions about the hall Andrea is most definitely your best point of contact. Andrea works Monday –Saturday, message her if you are interested in renting our hall or simply taking a tour of our hall and chapel. manager@upses.sdcoxmail.com
Financial Secretary
Ann Coito
Ann was born and raised in Point Loma and can't imagine living anywhere else. She has always been involved in the Portuguese community, volunteering for Festa, attending club functions and serving on the UPSES Inc. Board of Directors. As Financial Secretary she has the opportunity to work with a variety of staff and volunteers as well as a new Festa family each year. Ann's primary job is to be sure that income and expenses are posted properly and that all financial reporting to the Board of Directors are done in a timely and transparent way. Besides her work at the UPSES Inc., Ann is a Legal Secretary and Office Manager for a small firm in Mission Valley. She has 3 adult children, 6 grandchildren and a retired husband who keep her very busy when she's not working. She has been the Financial Secretary for over 13 years.