Dr. Alexander Africa

Career: Community leader, retired United States Air Force veteran, entrepreneur. 

Education: Doctor of Management from Colorado Technical University, Doctor of Philosophy in Education (abd) Walden University, MBA from American Military University. 

Community: Dr. Africa has served the United States Air Force and the Filipino-American Community for over 20 years. 

Fun Fact: Loves to sing and dance. Dr. Africa and his family enjoy travelling around the world. The Africas loves to ski all over the Rockies. 

Favorite Food: His Tatay’s afritada, goto and loming Batangas. 

Maddie Vines

Vice President

Career: Maddie Vines is a Senior Paralegal for the Department of Law for the Office of the Attorney General. Prior to the AG’s Office I worked both in private and public practice which includes 14 years for the 4th Judicial District in El Paso County.  

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a Minor in Human Resources and earned Magna Cum Laude honors from Regis University. 

Community: This is my first year with NaFFAA.  I’m the Executive Director and Vice President for the Filipino American Community of Southern Colorado. I’ve been volunteering with FACSC for about 30 years. I’ve been a public servant for most of my adult life. I am the CEO of Vines Professional Services providing loan signing services as a Certified Notary Signing Agent.   

I am also one of the owners for Hapi Kultura a newly opened family e-commerce online store. I’ve been married for 25 years with my husband, Kevin Vines. Our family of three generations enjoys golfing, bowling, and exploring the world together. Cherishing every moment with our only daughter and two granddaughters.

My favorite Filipino food: Lumpia. 

Marlene Perez

Secretary

Career: Retired USPS HQ Sr. Field Acct Rep; CO/WY Account Manager

Education: BS Foods and Nutrition

Community Service: Serving NaFFAA since Gawad Kalinga started in CO in 2003. Currently Secretary for NAFFAA Region V; appointed as Membership Chair in 2015 and has remained in this position until May 2023.Served as Secretary for past NAFFAA V Chairs Jennifer Samuel, Donna Lavigne and Dennis Apuan.

Founded Postal Employees’ Asian-American Association Committed and Engaged (PEAAACE) now Postal Employees’ Asian American Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander Association (PEAANHPIA), a member of White House Initiative on Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (WHIAANHPI).