Executive Officers
Aleth Flores
President
Aleth has been an active member of the Fil-Minnesotan Association since her family moved to Minnesota in 1970. She has served the association in different capacities. She has chaired several FMA events like Debutante’s Ball, Paskong Pilipino, Easterfest, and Annual Ball.
Aleth has worked as an Accountant with Thomson Reuters for the past 14 years. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from St. Catherine’s University in St. Paul, MN.
Aleth is married to Dodge Flores, who has served as FMA President for six years from 1998-2003. Aleth and Dodge have four children, Brett (Anna fiancée), Raquel (married to Jared Davin) Bryce (married to Ashley) and Roxanne (Michael, fiancé). They have three grandchildren, Carter, Phillip and Aviyana.
Jovelyn Larson
Vice President
Jovelyn Larson is a Vice President of Strategic Sourcing and Procurement at Huntington National Bank. She graduated from the Mindanao State University with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Juris Doctor. She worked for the Public Defender’s Office in the Philippines for 5 years before migrating to the U.S. in 2006. After which, she came to Minnesota and worked in the retail industry as a department lead. She received her Paralegal Certificate at North Hennepin Community College, her Master’s in Business Administration at Bethel University, and recently, her Master of Laws from University of Minnesota. She held several positions in the Finance & Business Divisions of Medtronic. Her last role was managing the Corporate Legal Shared Functions (Litigation, Regulatory, Employment & Immigration, Intellectual Property, and Legal Operations.)
Jovelyn also held several positions for different non-profit organizations including being Chairperson for the Justice and Peace of the Catholic Center Campus Ministry, Talikala Netherlands Peace Advocate, led the dialogues between Muslims and Christians in Mindanao, and managed the Twin Cities Pro bono program in partnership with Legal Corp, Maslon Law Firm, and Medtronic. She is also, currently, a board member of the Philippine Center of Minnesota and a board of director of the Institute of Supply Chain Management.
Jovelyn developed a strong sense of devotion for nonprofit sector as her experience in working for the Public Defender’s Office in the Philippines gave her a deep appreciation for how nonprofit seek to improve the quality of life of the people, alleviate poverty in local communities, one program at a time.
James Acosta
Secretary
James graduated at the Philippine Military Academy in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics degree. He joined the Philippine Air Force for 16 years as a pilot and aircraft mechanic prior to coming here in 2006. He is now working as a nurse program coordinator at Presbyterian Homes & Services, and part time nurse at the Hennepin County Medical Center. He has been active coordinator and facilitator for the newly arrived nurses and their families through the International Nurse Recruitment of Presbyterian Homes & Services.
James is married to Romena “Mina” Campos Acosta who is presently a nurse at Regions Hospital. They have 2 children namely Justine Mae and John Renz.
Jo Bong
Treasurer
Jo works in the Quality Assurance area with one of the Fortune 500 medical company in the Twin Cities. She is an active member of Couples for Christ as Handmaids of the Lord. She loves to volunteer in her church (Hosanna), where she is an active member, and non-nonprofit organizations such as FMSC, FMA, JA (Junior Achievement program for school children). Her hobbies include house cleaning, reading nonfictional books, and visiting historical places.
Jo is married to Dennis Bong, and they have 2 children, Katrina (25) and Korey (19).
Aileen Joy “AJ” Mercado
Auditor
AJ graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from University of the Philippines, Los Banos, a Master’s and Doctorate degree in Animal Nutrition from University of Guelph, Canada. She has held multiple roles in Research and Product development at Cargill, Purina, and is currently with Land O’Lakes. AJ loves to party, travel, and spend time with family.
AJ is the wife of Joseph Alvin Mercado, and they have a daughter, Mary.
Public Relations Officer
Vicente “Jun” Nacionales
Ex-Officio
Jun is a former President of FMA. He is also a former FMA VP, Auditor, and Board Member. He and his wife, Jeanet, are very active members within various association committees including the: Basketball and Golf tournaments, Paskong Pilipino, Easterfest, and Consular Services Outreach.
Jun works at North Memorial Medical Center as an Assistant Nurse Manager in the Cardiac Telemetry Unit. He is a recipient of the Ralph Rossen Award of Nursing Excellence (Nurse of the Year) 2010 at North Memorial Health Care.
Jun graduated with a B.S.in Biology at West Visayas State University in 1990 and B.S. in Nursing at Iloilo Doctors' College in 1993.
Jun and Jeanet are blessed with 2 daughters, Nicholle and Jeanelle.