Southern California Region (January 10, 2022) – Michael Herrera, Michael Lopez, and Illary Archilla in December joined the Board of Directors and Green Energy & Sustainability Committee of the Hispanic Coalition of Small Businesses (HCSB). The new directors and committee member will bring to the organization and its members years of experience and skills in the areas of green energy, construction, engineering, project management, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and other community building efforts.

“It is my honor to welcome both Michael’s to the HCSB Board of Directors and Illary to our Green Energy & Sustainability Committee,” said Frank Montes, Chair of HCSB. “All three will add valuable expertise to HCSB as we focus on our mission of championing and empowering coalitions among Hispanic and diverse small businesses, government, and local communities,” added Montes. “HCSB brings to our members and their communities various resources and opportunities that begin with the expertise and business connections of all members of our Board of Directors and Committees. Illary, Michael Herrera and Michael Lopez add a very special set of skills to the already diverse skillsets of our entire HCSB Board of Directors.”

Dennise Mejia, Chair of the HCSB Green Energy & Sustainability Committee welcomed Illary as a committee member saying, “Illary’s background, particularly in providing energy & sustainability management solutions to her clients, will be of great value to HCSB as we strive to develop a culture of innovation and sustainability in our communities through partnerships with residents, businesses, academia, and government entities.”

Illary Archilla is the Founder and CEO of Terravanta, Inc., a minority, woman-owned consulting firm that specializes in project, construction, and energy/sustainability management solutions. Her professional experience is international and diverse, with 15 years of proven leadership responsibilities in energy management, large scale construction, customer service, engineering, product development and manufacturing. Illary is a mechanical engineer, environmentalist, and socially conscious entrepreneur whose vision is a future where it is natural to see women in technical fields, and where sustainable projects are not an emerging trend but just a normal part of life. Terravanta directs 2 percent of its revenue to fund programs to educate and promote minority and low-income young leaders into STEM careers. (See full bio at www.hcsb-us.org)

Michael Herrera is the Regional Director of Community Outreach and Supplier Diversity for McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., and leads McCarthy’s related community building efforts in Southern California and the state of Nevada. He is an accomplished supplier diversity, supply chain and community builder leader, with experience managing compliance, rules, regulations, and public laws for various corporations. His experience includes creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all by leveraging his managerial and analytical talents to lead and support employee resource groups at several corporations. Michael also serves on the Strategic Council for the The Diversity Advisors, a group of passionate Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)-focused business leaders who have come together to provide strategic direction to various organizations, ensuring diversity of thought and inclusion is embraced far and wide. (See full bio at www.hcsb-us.org)

Michael Lopez is Assistant Vice President, Business Banking Relationship Manager at U.S. Bank. As a member of the Inland Empire Business Banking Group, he helps business owners with commercial real estate financing, as well as other business lending needs. Michael has 25 years of experience helping businesses and consumers in Southern California with their commercial and residential lending needs. During that time, he has gained experience working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, World Savings, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and now U.S. Bank. A native of Southern California, Michael attended California State University Long Beach, where he studied Civil Engineering. (See full bio at www.hcsb-us.org)

About Hispanic Coalition of Small Businesses

The Hispanic Coalition of Small Businesses is a nonprofit organization comprising an alliance of diverse organizations based in the Southern California region. HCSB is committed to Advancing Small Business Communities in the region and across the country by championing and empowering coalitions among Hispanic and diverse small businesses, government, and local communities by providing resources and opportunities to ensure their success. While the HCSB coalition name is new, the people (Chairman, Board of Directors, Committee Chairs, Affiliate Members) are well-established and experienced members of the community who have been at the helm of local, regional, statewide, and national organizations. https://www.hcsb-us.org/

About McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is one of the country’s largest domestic general contractors. McCarthy recently was awarded a contract at San Bernadino Valley College which involves the demolition of the existing Liberal Arts building on campus, and the construction of a new Student Services Building. This is a project involving a budget of over $100M – slated to break ground in 2024. McCarthy was a founding sponsor, exhibitor, and Michael Herrera a distinguished speaker at HCSB’s inaugural summit held in October 2022 during Hispanic Heritage Month. The company continues to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion by sponsoring Michael’s position as a HCSB Board Director, and by providing access to contracting opportunities for diverse-owned vendors through partnerships, supplier outreach, and mentorship opportunities. Learn more at https://www.mccarthy.com/about

About Terravanta, Inc.

Terravanta, Inc. is a minority, woman-owned consulting firm that specializes in project, construction, and energy/sustainability management solutions. Founder & CEO Illary Archilla earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and Energetic Systems with honors, a minor in Marketing and Business, and a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering. She has a Green Belt Six Sigma Certification and has participated in numerous certificate programs in the Energy/Project/Construction Management industry. Learn more at (https://www.terravanta.com/)

About U.S. Bank

U.S. Bancorp, with approximately 70,000 employees and $587 billion in assets as of March 31, 2022, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association. The Minneapolis-based company serves millions of customers locally, nationally, and globally through a diversified mix of businesses: Consumer and Business Banking; Payment Services; Corporate & Commercial Banking; and Wealth Management and Investment Services. The company has been recognized for its approach to digital innovation, social responsibility, and customer service, including being named one of the 2022 World’s Most Ethical Companies and Fortune’s most admired superregional bank. Learn more at https://usbank.com/about