JOHN ECHEVESTE, Partner  john@vpepr.com John Echeveste co-founded VPE after a 15-year career in the fields of journalism, public relations, government and broadcasting.  At VPE, he specializes in accounts in the areas of consumer and healthcare marketing.

Echeveste served as Vice President of Communications for TELACU for eight years, and also served as Manager of Public Communications for the Southern California Association of Governments.  He began his career as a reporter for the San Gabriel Valley Daily Tribune, and served as administrative assistant to a local U.S. Congressman, and was writer/associate producer for an Emmy-nominated local television documentary.

Echeveste is a founding member and past president of the Hispanic Public Relations Association, and a board member of the Los Angeles County Library Foundation, and The Wall Las Memorias.  Echeveste holds a BA in Communications from California State University Fullerton, and professional certificates from USC. 

PATRICIA PÉREZ, Partner patricia@vpepr.com
Patricia Pérez directs consumer marketing, media relations and social marketing campaigns for VPE clients.  Prior to joining VPE, Pérez served as Public Relations Director for the Ketchum-Downtown YMCA; supervised public relations activities for several non-profit organizations while working at a Los Angeles public relations agency; and served as Associate Publisher at Latina Magazine, the nation's first English-language magazine for Hispanic women.

Pérez serves as a board member of the International Visitors Council of Los Angeles, Greater Los Angeles YWCA, and the American Red Cross Blood Services- Los Angeles Chapter, and is active with many women's empowerment organizations.  Pérez received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.

MARICELA CUEVA, Vice President maricela@vpepr.com
As Vice President of the social marketing division, Cueva manages public education campaigns that shape policy, educate consumers and create positive behavioral and environmental changes in a community. Cueva brings more than 10 years of experience in the field of social marketing, advocacy, public policy, media relations, new media marketing, community outreach, advertising and research. Under her leadership, the division has won numerous industry awards.

Before joining VPE, Cueva managed the research, marketing and public relations campaigns for a major publishing and Internet company.  She has also worked as an account executive with a Hispanic advertising agency, and has managed the public relations/fundraising efforts for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF).  

Cueva holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Marketing from California State University of Los Angeles.