Store

Board of Directors

Board of Directors

Our Esteemed Group of Leaders

Officers

Ms. Melissa A. Ochoa

President

Bio

Mr. Roland J. Garcia

Vice President

Bio

To Be Determined

Treasurer

Mr. Scott A. Sanders

Secretary

Bio

Mr. José Ignacio Sordo Galarza

Director-At-Large

Bio

Members

Mrs. Pilar De La Vega

Bio

Mrs. Liz Garcia

Ms. Anndrea Brown

Ms. Rachel L. Stone

Ex-Officio

Mr. Angel Salinas

President Emeritus

Bio

Bishop Gary W. Janak

Archdiocese of San Antonio

Bio

Do You Hear the Call?

We are looking for Brothers and Sisters in Christ who are interested in serving as a member of the ACTS Missions Board of Directors.

We are all called to share our time, talent, and treasure to building the Kingdom of God.  Would you like to serve the ACTS Apostolate in a way different than participating on an ACTS Retreat?

Board members participate in advancing the mission, vision, core values and beliefs of ACTS Missions. The Board sets the strategic direction to partner with Catholic parishes in building vibrant, active communities through the ACTS retreats and providing ongoing parish support.

apply today

Ms. Melissa A. Ochoa

ACTS Missions Board President

As a teenager I always wanted to be a missionary. Then life happened. After serving on team for many ACTS retreats since my first one in 2007, I realized that my calling to be a missionary was right in front of me. I love serving on a team. I heard God’s call to be a missionary in a different way than what I ever expected when I was younger. I look forward to serving my brothers and sisters.

Mr. Roland J. Garcia

ACTS Missions Board Vice President

Roland first lived his ACTS Retreat in 2011 after many years of resistance and avoidance. He left that retreat on fire and has served in many teams since. From 2019 through 2022, he served on his parish’s Core Team as Facilitator and Co-Facilitator. After completing his term on Core, he applied to serve on the Board of Directors where he has served since 2022. He currently serves as a member-at-large on the Executive Committee.

Roland and Sonia, his wife of 25 years, are the parents of five children and parishioners of St. Anthony Mary Claret Parish, where Sonia now serves on the Core Team.

In addition to his service to ACTS, Roland is a practicing attorney and serves as an Assistant Federal Public Defender in San Antonio. He’s a past president of the Catholic Lawyers Guild of San Antonio and has served in the planning committees for the Red Masses in San Antonio and Austin.

Mr. Scott A. Sanders

ACTS Missions Board Secretary

In 2013, as a former Baptist, married to a cradle Catholic, I went on my ACTS retreat. The retreat experience profoundly deepened my understanding of our faith and my personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Spending the weekend with 50 men so passionate in their faith, solidified my decision to convert to Catholicism. After serving on several Retreat Teams, I joined our parish Core Team. Shortly after my time to roll off the Core Team in 2020, COVID shut down our parish retreats, and an invitation to join the ACTS Missions Board of Directors appeared in my email; a sign from God as to the next step he wanted me to take. ACTS has become a big part of the personal ministry of my wife Kathleen and myself. The story continues …..

Mr. José Ignacio Sordo Galarza

ACTS Missions Board Director-At-Large

With over three decades of experience in global digital strategies across five continents, I offer a breadth of knowledge to the ACTS Missions Board. My time at Procter & Gamble was characterized by leading global initiatives, and I am humbled by being recognized as one of America’s Most Influential Hispanics in IT.

I’ve had the opportunity to author two books on digital uncertainty and strategic thinking and establish the Hispanic Innovation Center Chicago Foundation to support technology in education.

Being part of the ACTS Missions Board is a profound honor, allowing me to serve in furthering the evangelization of Jesus Christ thru our unique ACTS retreats.

Based in San Antonio, Texas, I am deeply committed to our mission of Adoration, Community, Theology and Service.

Mrs. Pilar Del La Vega

ACTS Missions Board Member

After attending my first ACTS retreat in 2008, I re-discovered my faith along with the desire for wanting to serve and evangelize others in my community. The ACTS experience opened my heart to the power of serving. I have been fortunate enough to serve in retreats in Mexico and other parishes in the United States with the Spanish retreats group. My dream came true when I was elected to be part of the Board of Directors for ACTS missions.

My husband and I are devout Catholics and am beyond blessed to have his unconditional support.

Mr. Angel Salinas

ACTS Missions Board President Emeritus

I lived my ACTS retreat in January 2014. Ever since, I knew I had to share the gift I had received with others. I served as an ACTS retreat team member between 2015 and 2017 and then as a co-director and director for ACTS Missions in 2018 and 2019.

I had the opportunity to join the ACTS Board in 2020 and now I have the honor to be the President. As the President of our Board, I feel committed and passionate about furthering our mission.

I’m blessed to be married for 24 years and I have two amazing children.

What do I do when not serving ACTS? I’m a sales trainer. I have the joy of helping sales professionals reach their full potential and I work with business owners and sales organizations building effective sales processes.

Bishop Gary W. Janak

ACTS Missions Ex-Officio Board Member

Having served as pastor of three different parishes, all with ACTS CORES, I have witnessed the vitality and excitement ACTS retreats bring to a parish community. It has been a joy for me to serve on many ACTS retreats over the years. Each retreat is a faith-filled and life-giving experience. I appreciate the opportunity to now serve as an ex officio member of ACTS Missions. I continue to witness the importance of ACTS in our Church and its role in formation and evangelization.

Retreats
Store

Anna Grajeda

ACTS Missions Advancement Assistant

Michael Primrose

ACTS Missions Chapter Manager

Diana Aguirre Martinez

ACTS Mission Advancement and Events Manager

Esmer Gutierrez

ACTS Missions Store Clerk

Valerie Montez

ACTS Missions Store Manager

Patty Zambrano

ACTS Missions Education Coordinator

Erika Solis

ACTS Missions Chapter Manager

Ava Landa Sedano

ACTS Missions Chapter Manager

Frinee Sabella

ACTS Missions Chapter Manager

Sylvia Ortiz

ACTS Missions Accounting Manager

Norma Gorley

Receptionist

Deborah Alaniz

ACTS Missions Executive Director

Mrs. Anne H. Smith

ACTS Missions Board Treasurer

A Personal Sharing About The Power Of Our Lord Manifested Through The ACTS Community

My loving husband, James, passed away unexpectedly in 2002 after 36 wonderful years of marriage. For the next five years after his death, I fell into a deep, dark hole of despair. Each day, it took every ounce of strength and effort I had to put one foot in front of the other. The love of my life was gone…and I was now incredibly alone.

I prayed for the courage to accept his death and the strength to go forward with my new single life. God heard my prayers, and, through the Holy Spirit, He nudged me to go on an ACTS Retreat in 2007. It proved to be a life-changer! Over the next three years, my continued involvement with the ACTS Community helped me to “shake off my grave clothes” and to completely heal from the inside out!

My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through the power of His Holy Spirit made me new and
transformed me spiritually in ways I could have never imagined. The catalyst for this change was my local ACTS Community whose love and compassion during my grief journey never wavered. Ever-so-slowly, the deep black hole of my sadness and loneliness was replaced with peace and happiness, along with an intense hunger for a face-to-face encounter with Our Lord each and every day.

Over time, My Lord anointed me with the oil of joy, and I was given a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. Now, I acclaim His Unending Love for me, thanking Him for all He has done and continues to do in my life through ACTS. I also thank Him for sending a Godly man into my life after 17-1/2 years of being single. Longtime friends, neither Bill (also a widower) nor I envisioned that our relationship would blossom in ways beyond our understanding. We were married on October 4, 2019, and we are now living in His Presence, expectant of great things every day and grateful to have each other as we continue to journey through life.

I am so very thankful for my ACTS Community through which the Power of Our Lord has been manifested in amazing ways. It is my heartfelt desire to continue to shine the Light of Christ through ACTS in order to foster the opportunity for transformation for women and men from all walks of life as they seek the love, mercy, and forgiveness that Our Lord so freely offers.

Blessings,
Anne Hodge Smith

Esmer Gutierrez 

Store Clerk 

Esmer Gutierrez is the Store Clerk. With over 20 years of customer service experience, Esmer brings warmth and attentiveness to everyone she serves. Her favorite part of working at the ACTS Store is the genuine sense of family among the staff. When she’s not at work, Esmer loves spending time with her dog, Escobart, exploring new foods, and traveling.

Valerie Montez

Store Manager

Valerie Montez is our Store Manager. For the past decade, Valerie has guided the growth and operations of the ACTS Store with dedication and heart. A graduate of Texas A&M University–San Antonio with a degree in Business Management, Valerie treasures the family-like environment that defines the ACTS Missions team. Outside of work, she enjoys being with her family. She also spends time gardening, crafting, sewing, and all things DIY — always bringing the same creativity and care she shares with our apostolate each day.

Sylvia Ortiz

Accounting Manager 

Sylvia Ortiz is our Accounting Manager. Sylvia is a proud San Antonio native who brings a wealth of experience to her role. She worked at USAA for over 20 years and, last week, celebrated her 13th anniversary of working at ACTS Missions! Sylvia explains that attending an ACTS Retreat was a turning point in her life — it brought her back to the Church after several decades away.

Sylvia loves working at ACTS Missions because it allows her to serve her Catholic faith through meaningful work. When she’s not in the office, she enjoys spending time with her friends and family. She enjoys Tejano dancing, traveling, and cheering on the Dallas Cowboys!

Norma Gorley

Receptionist

Norma Gorley is our beloved Receptionist. She is a proud San Antonian. Before joining ACTS Missions, she worked for over 20 years at the City Public Service Board and Generations Federal Credit Union.

Norma attended her first ACTS Retreat in 2004 and shares that it opened her eyes to “what an amazing God we serve.” She now finds great joy in her role at ACTS Missions, where her favorite parts of the day include greeting everyone who walks through the door and when the staff assembles for prayer time each morning.

When she’s not working, Norma loves spending time with her husband and daughter. She also enjoys singing and dancing for fun!

Deborah Ann Alaniz

Executive Director

Deborah Ann Alaniz is the Executive Director of ACTS Missions. Born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, Deborah has proudly called the city home her entire life. She earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from Trinity University.

Deborah began her journey with ACTS in 2004, where she discovered that she didn’t have to wait to be asked to serve — she could take the initiative to be active in her parish community. Since then, she has been involved in youth ministry, OCIA, and now OCIC.

After many years working in education, Deborah now brings her leadership and passion to ACTS Missions. She shares that she has “learned over the years to thank God for the blessings He gives me, along with the challenges that teach me to love Him, serve Him, and know Him in the ways He needs me to.”

When she’s not working, Deborah enjoys watching K-dramas and spending time with her mom and best friend.

Ava Landa Sedano

Education and Communications Coordinator

Ava Landa Sedano is our Education and Communications Coordinator, originally from Corpus Christi, Texas. Before attending her first ACTS Retreat, she considered herself close to Jesus as a cradle Catholic. However, she shares that her retreat experience was truly transformative, drawing her even closer to Christ and to her faith community.
 
Since then, Ava has served at her home parish of St. Francis of Assisi in San Antonio as both a team member on English and Spanish retreats and an ACTS Core member. She also became a Spiritual Companion through the program at the Oblate School of Theology. Ava feels very blessed to serve at ACTS Missions and finds it awe-inspiring to hear how these retreats continue to positively impact so many lives.
 
When she’s not at work, Ava enjoys spending time with her family and her best furry friend Grizzle—her fun-loving Chiweenie pup.

Patty Zambrano

Education and Marketing Coordinator

Patty Zambrano is our Education and Marketing Coordinator. A San Antonio native, she has also lived in Colorado, Florida, and California. Patty brings a wealth of experience, holding a marketing degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio and having worked with a California advertising agency behind Taco Bell’s famous Chihuahua campaign and the iconic phrase “Yo quiero Taco Bell.”

 

Patty is deeply passionate about ACTS Retreats, crediting them with bringing her and her family closer to the Catholic Church during her adult life. She has served on mission retreats, been a member of the ACTS Core, and participated on many retreat teams at her parish, Our Lady of Grace, in San Antonio. Outside of work, she enjoys watching tennis, spending time with her family, reading and attending music concerts.

Anna Grajeda

ACTS Missions Advancement Assistant

Anna Grajeda serves as our Mission Advancement Assistant. Also a native of San Antonio, she is a proud graduate of St. Mary’s University. Her professional background includes 20 years of experience working at a non-profit Christian school. Today, Anna is thrilled to be part of the ACTS Apostolate and says her everyday interactions with the parishes and the brothers and sisters that serve HIM has been, thus far, a wonderful experience! Having attended her first ACTS Retreat many years ago, she believes God has lovingly guided her path toward serving Him. She often shares that the Lord has always been good to her, and she brings that deep faith and gratitude into her work every day.

When Anna is not working, she loves to read, spend time with her family, and watch documentaries and cooking/baking competitive shows.

Erika Solis

ACTS Missions Chapter Manager

Erika Solis is originally from Laredo, Texas, and joined ACTS Missions in 2024. She loves working with ACTS because it gives her the opportunity to grow in her faith and answer God’s call through the ACTS apostolate. Since attending her first ACTS retreat, Erika has cherished the hope, compassion, and faith she has found—and she enjoys sharing these gifts with her family. She has served on parish and mission teams for English and Spanish retreats, and she has served her parish Core at Sacred Heart in San Antonio, Texas.

In addition to her work with ACTS, Erika is a tax preparer, notary, and certified zumba instructor! When she’s not working, Erika loves to dance, listen to music, and enjoy outdoor activities. 

Frinee Sabella

ACTS Missions Lead Chapter Manager

Frinee Sabella, our Lead Chapter Manager, is one of the most senior members of the ACTS Missions staff. Frinee grew up in Monterrey, Mexico, where she studied to become a medical doctor. In addition to her medical background, she also serves as a Spiritual Director and works as a Realtor. Frinee shares that attending her first ACTS Retreat opened her heart to live a Christ-centered life and serve others with love. Since then, she has helped many people encounter Christ by serving on numerous parish and mission retreats in both English and Spanish. 

When she’s not working, Frinee enjoys reading, arts and crafts, music, and watching Korean dramas.

Michael Primrose

ACTS Missions Chapter Manager

Chapter Manager Michael Primrose brings a remarkable abundance of knowledge and experience to the team. Originally from Louisiana, Mike attended his first ACTS retreat as a retreatant in 2007, an experience he says profoundly changed his life. Since then, he has served on numerous teams for his parish and later participated in many mission retreats to help bring ACTS to parishes throughout the Diocese of Austin. Eventually, Mike helped form the Chapter of Austin and went on to serve as the Chapter Director. Today, he enjoys collaborating with other Chapter directors and receiving calls from volunteers, offering answers to their questions and words of encouragement.

When Mike isn’t working, he stays active in his parish, St. Anthony Marie de Claret in Kyle, Texas. He also enjoys exploring state parks across Texas with his camper and discovering new communities along the way.

Diana Aguirre Martinez

ACTS Mission Advancement and Events Manager

Diana Aguirre Martinez is our Mission Advancement and Events Manager. She is a lifelong San Antonian whose first ACTS Retreat sparked a deep sense of joy and purpose that continues to shape her life and career. She holds both a BA and an MA from the University of the Incarnate Word and brings over 20 years of experience in development and fundraising to ACTS Missions. Throughout her career, Diana has helped secure more than $30 million in funding, including significant contributions toward the restoration of the historic San Antonio Missions. Her commitment to mission-driven work and her dedication to community make her an invaluable part of the ACTS Missions team.

Outside of work, Diana loves spending time with her family and her beloved pets, and enjoys traveling with her closest friends.

Store
Give