Board of Directors – Union City Chamber of Commerce

Executive Board

Jim Navarro, President
Wings of Angels Transport Services

Vipan Bajwa, Vice President
Vipan Bajwa Accounting Consulting

Eve Hsiang, Secretary
Premier Financial Alliance

Thinn Aye, Treasurer
Alondra Home Care

Directors

Cara Milgate
Intero Real Estate Services

Jeanne Serpa
Republic Services

Ilene Tayco Goudie
The Une & Sole Scrubs

Midji Rovetta
A Virtual Management Inc/dba: FITS

Jim Navarro – President

JIM NAVARRO was a member of the City Council of Union City for the past twelve years. Prior to this position, Jim was on the School Board for New Haven Unified School District for eight years as a Trustee. Throughout his career as a public servant, Jim maintains strong personal and professional ethics. A tenacious advocate of economic and social justice, he has maintained a powerful partnership with businesses, civic entities, and regional agencies to achieve maximum benefits for the city residents. He believes that sound economic development programs will bring jobs and generate tax revenues. He has been a passionate advocate for safe neighborhoods and public transportation during his term as City Council Member and Vice Mayor of Union City. He is committed to community safety, social justice and to the health and welfare of the city residents.

Jim has a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science and a minor in Computer Science at the National University in McClain Virginia. Jim retired in 2005 in the aeronautic industry as a senior Principal Engineer for Computer Sciences Corporation and returned to work and was working for NorthStar Memorial Group for ten years. Jim held several positions while working for NorthStar Memorial. These are: Family Service Counselor, Apprentice Embalmer, Autopsy Assistant, Funeral Arranger, Project Management, and Human Remain Transport. Jim currently owns a mortuary transportation company and serves as the president and CEO of his company. Jim is also the Program Chair for building a 10M permanent church for St. James the Apostle Catholic Church in Fremont. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Union City Chamber of Commerce. He served the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Shangri-la CVA-38 during the Vietnam conflict. In Jim’s spare time, he is a recreational pilot and flies a Cessna single engine airplane.

VIPAN BAJWA – VICE PRESIDENT

VIPAN BAJWA is a lifelong resident of Union City. He went to local schools in the New Haven School District and continued his education at Chabot Community College and California State University, East Bay, where he studied accounting and finance.

After college, Vipan worked as an auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and as a consultant at Ernst & Young LLP. His work in finance has been a significant part of his career.

In addition to his professional work, Vipan is active in the community. He serves as a board member of the Union City Chamber of Commerce, New Haven Schools Foundation, and the Tiburcio Vasquez Health Centers.

Eve Hsiang – secretary

EVE HSIANG Originally from Taiwan, I moved to the US at the age of 13 with my parents, making me a first-generation immigrant. I started my finance insurance career at Wells Fargo and New York Life and I’ve held director positions at Farmers and AIG. In 2021, I founded my own company that serves the insurance and financial industry, offering living benefit life insurance that can be used before death.

My mission is to empower individuals in finance and insurance by bringing financial literacy to the community and protecting their assets.

I also serve small business owners in creating succession plans. Additionally, I volunteer as a Board of Directors and Treasurer for the Taiwanese American Chamber of Commerce and am a senior field director for my broker, Premier Financial Alliance. I’m a member of the Silicon Valley Computer Associations and Global Federation of Chinese Business Women. I am committed to empowering the community through financial literacy and service.

As Steve Jobs said, “Stay hungry, stay humble, stay foolish.

CAra Milgate – Director

CARA MILGATE brings over 35 years of leadership, real estate, and business management experience to her role as President of the Union City Chamber of Commerce. A Bay Area native who was born in San Jose and raised in the Sierra Foothills, Cara has dedicated her career to helping individuals and organizations succeed.

As Vice President and Sales Manager at Intero Real Estate Services East Bay, Cara has empowered countless agents and staff by providing mentorship, training, and leadership that enables them to achieve and surpass their goals. She believes deeply in the importance of relationships, collaboration, and building strong communities.

Cara’s professional background is extensive and well-rounded, encompassing residential real estate sales, lending, mortgage banking, loan servicing, and secondary market operations. She also studied law for two years and worked with a real estate law group, where she supported distressed homeowners through some of their most challenging circumstances. This unique experience allows her to bring a thoughtful, problem-solving mindset to every leadership role she undertakes.

As Chamber President, Cara is passionate about fostering growth and prosperity for Union City’s business community. Her philosophy is simple: no problem is too difficult, and with collaboration and innovation, solutions can always be found. She is committed to ensuring the Chamber is a trusted resource for its members — providing opportunities, support, and advocacy that help businesses thrive.

JEANNE SERPA – DIRECTOR

JEANNE SERPA have 21 years of continuous service managing Bay Area community and government relations functions.

The company I work for, Republic Services, is one of the largest providers of non-hazardous solid waste collection, transfer, disposal, recycling, and energy services in the US. The name of the company has changed several times, but my role has been focused on building effective partnerships, drafting effective communication, cultivating civic/political influence, and identifying opportunities for philanthropic and community support. I have completed my master’s degree in strategic communications and leadership which serves to further enhance my management skills and deep understanding of government processes, city agencies, and economic development issues.

Ilene Tayco goudie – DIRECTOR

ILENE TAYCO GOUDIE has been a proud resident of Union City for over 20 years. As a successful entrepreneur, she owns two local businesses, The Une and Sole Scrubs. Her deep connection to the community and commitment to fostering growth led her to become the Director of the Union City Chamber of Commerce.

In this role, Ilene focuses on building strong relationships with local merchants, fostering collaboration, and creating business opportunities that benefit the entire community. Her passion for Union City’s development is particularly evident in her focus on the Alvarado Historic District. As the AHDMA Chair within the Chamber, she is dedicated to revitalizing the district by promoting festivals, events, and initiatives designed to bring additional revenue to the area.

Ilene also takes an active role in educating local businesses about the advantages of Chamber membership, empowering them with the resources and knowledge they need to thrive.