Villapudua named CEO of Hispanic chamber
STOCKTON — Just a week after their final meeting as San Joaquin County Supervisors, Carlos Villapudua and Moses Zapien have landed new roles that will keep them involved in the community.
The San Joaquin County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce this week announced Villapudua has been appointed as its new chief executive officer.
The Community Partnership for Families of San Joaquin also announced this week that Zapien has joined its board of directors.
“We are very excited to have Carlos aboard,” chamber board president Bob Gutierrez said in a statement.
“He brings extensive experience and talents to our organization and will work closely with our members and partners in the community to focus on our mission of creating a stronger and sustainable local economy through advocacy and promotion on behalf of our members and businesses throughout the region.”
The San Joaquin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce represents the interests of business owners throughout the Central Valley. Established in 1972, the chamber is a referral source and provides assistance in opening businesses and accessing capital, and links members to members through events held throughout the year.
“It’s important that the chamber continue to advocate for the needs of our members in order to grow successful businesses in the San Joaquin Valley,” Villapudua said in the same media release. “(It) can provide them with the programs, services, connections and resources that can help our Latino-owned businesses flourish.”
Meredith Baker, executive director of Community Partnership for Families of San Joaquin, said in a media release this week that Zapien shares the nonprofit’s philosophy of community service, spirit of collaboration with fellow agencies and organizations, and desire to create change in order to build strong and resourceful families in the county.
“I am thrilled to welcome Moses to our CPFSJ family,” she said in a media statement. “I am grateful for his continued presence as a county leader and deeply appreciative of his choice to serve on our board of directors.”
The board of directors is responsible for advancing the organization’s mission to provide tools, resources and connections through partnerships to help families improve their quality of life, and for steering the agency toward a sustainable future.
In its media statement, CPFSJ said Zapien has a long history of giving back to the community, serving as a board member of the American LeadershipForum-Great Valley Chapter; the Library and Literacy Foundation of San Joaquin County; and the Beyond Our gates Community Council at the University of the Pacific. He also is the co-founder of the Stockton Little Free Libraries Association.
“Through strong family support, training, mentorship, hard work and educational achievement, I believe anyone can realize his or her potential,” Zapien said in the release.
For more information about the organizations, go to and