# Patricia Pérez

> Patricia Pérez is the co-founder and retired CEO of VPE Communications, a Los Angeles multicultural communications agency established in 1988. Listed by the agency as CEO Emeritus, she has combined communications leadership with service to UCLA Latino alumni, AARP California, workforce development and nonprofit organizations. VPE announced her retirement and a transfer of ownership to Maricela Cueva and Lorena Alamillo in July 2026.

- **Role:** Co-founder and CEO Emeritus at VPE Communications
- **Organizations:** VPE Communications, Public Relations Global Network, AARP California, City of Los Angeles Workforce Development Board, UCLA Latino Alumni Association, Los Angeles River State Park Partners, California State Parks Foundation, Center for Nonprofit Management, Ketchum Downtown YMCA
- **Education:** Bachelor of Arts in English, University of California, Los Angeles
- **Known for:** Co-founded and helped develop VPE Communications, established in 1988., President of Public Relations Global Network in 2010-2011., 2013 Women of Excellence honoree, National Latina Business Women Association, Los Angeles Chapter.

## Career timeline

- **1987** — Graduated from UCLA; began work as associate public relations director at Ketchum Downtown YMCA, a role her résumé dates 1987-1989.
- **1988** — VPE was founded as Valencia, Pérez & Echeveste, named for Manuel Valencia, Patricia Pérez and John Echeveste. Her 2024 résumé dates her own VPE employment from 1990.
- **2010-2011** — Served as president of Public Relations Global Network.
- **2013** — Received a Women of Excellence award from the National Latina Business Women Association, Los Angeles Chapter.
- **2014** — Assumed sole leadership following John Echeveste’s departure for LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes.
- **2015-2021** — Served as AARP California state president; Joe Garbanzos succeeded her in 2021.
- **2017** — Recognized by Hispanic Lifestyle as a Latina of Influence.
- **2019** — Named UCLA Latino Alumni Association Alumna of the Year; VPE succession planning began as Maricela Cueva became president.
- **2024** — Her public résumé recorded service on the Los Angeles Workforce Development Board executive committee and chairing its AdvantAGE LA committee for older workers.
- **2026** — VPE announced her retirement and planned ownership transfer to Maricela Cueva and Lorena Alamillo on July 14. The agency now lists her as CEO Emeritus.

## Achievements

- Co-founded and helped develop VPE Communications, established in 1988.
- President of Public Relations Global Network in 2010-2011.
- 2013 Women of Excellence honoree, National Latina Business Women Association, Los Angeles Chapter.
- 2017 Hispanic Lifestyle Latina of Influence.
- 2019 UCLA Latino Alumni Association Alumna of the Year.
- Former AARP California state president and UCLA Latino Alumni Association president.

## Latest updates

- **2026-07** — VPE announced Pérez’s retirement and plans for president Maricela Cueva and senior strategist Lorena Alamillo to assume ownership.

## Links

- Website: https://vpecommunications.com/team/patricia-perez/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vpepr

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/patricia-perez
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-21