Meet the EL ARCA Team
EL ARCA would not be what it is today without caring, remarkable staff members who strive to empower our community. Our nurses, educators, caretakers and drivers are committed to those with developmental disabilities, and we’re just as committed to our staff members.
Administration
Dr. John Menchaca
President and CEO of EL ARCA
John M. Menchaca has been the President/CEO of EL ARCA since 2008 and oversees over 60 employees and 4 service programs. He has dedicated over 20 years of his professional life to helping persons with developmental disabilities. Dr. Menchaca grew up in Lincoln Heights and attended East Los Angeles Community College. He has a B.A. from Cal State Los Angeles and completed a Masters in Public Administration from La Verne University and now obtains a Doctorate Degree from the University of Southern California.
Dr. Menchaca’ s tenure at EL ARCA started as an instructor in the classrooms. He was then promoted to program director of the Adult Day Programs. Within a few years, when the Vice-Presidency position was created, EL ARCA management knew that John Menchaca had the will and dedication to take on that position. Dr. Menchaca believes in empowering the employees and seeks feedback as well as ideas.
Dr. Menchaca obtained his Doctorate in Social Work in 2019 from the University of Southern California.
Lina G. Louka
Director of Administration
Lina Louka serves as the Director of Administration at EL ARCA, where she drives operational excellence and provides strategic support across the organization. She holds an MBA in Supply Chain Management and a Master of Science in Business Analytics, and she is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Global Business Management to deepen her expertise in data‑driven decision making and global business strategy. In addition to English, Lina is fluent in Arabic and French. Outside the office, she is passionate about teaching and serves as a part‑time higher education professor, dedicated to inspiring students and colleagues through education. Her leadership is guided by a commitment to purpose‑driven initiatives and continuous learning, as she contributes to EL ARCA’s mission and impact. Her professional ethos emphasizes building with purpose, leading with integrity, and turning challenges into stepping stones toward a brighter future.
Karina A. Andrade
Vice President of Programs
Ms. Andrade is working towards her Doctorate degree in Public Administration and has two masters (MBA/MPA). She worked in the manufacturing industry for 10 years prior to entering the non-profit sector and joining EL ARCA as the Human Resources Manager. She worked up the ladder to now holding the Vice Presidency of Programs. Ms. Andrade values treating others the way that she would want to be treated, and believes that every person deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. She is dedicated to helping our students reach their potential.
Managing Program Staff
Freddy Pablo
Program Director
Olga Martinez
Director of Transportation
Mrs. Martinez has worked with EL ARCA for 29 wonderful years. After graduating high school, she volunteered at EL ARCA as a program aid for about eight months in the classroom before getting hired full-time. She served as the Folklorico Instructor and would take participants out into their community to perform for audiences including Gloria Molina, L.A.’s Chief of Police, the Mayor, and quite a few council members. Ms. Martinez attained a Class B driver’s license and started helping out as a back-up driver when needed.
She also led EL ARCA’s community outings for 16 years and was the A.D.S.C Supervisor for one year, supervising staff, attending to consumer needs and ensuring communication with parents and service coordinators at the regional center, all while documenting goals, progress, and important paperwork. Her current responsibilities include supervising the drivers on their routes and handling any situation that deals with transportation, including partnering with the C.H.P and Cal-Trans to keep all EL ARCA vehicles up to code. Ms. Martinez believes that you should treat people how you want to be treated, and that it’s okay to make mistakes — as long as you learn from them to improve yourself and those around you!
Martha Tiscareno
Registered Nurse, Community-Based Adult Service
Ms. Tiscareno earned her Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Rio Hondo College. Prior to joining EL ARCA as a registered nurse, she worked as a CNA and in convalescent assistance. At EL ARCA she helps maintain participants’ health, monitors for safety, assists them with their daily living skills and teaches them how to live healthfully and independently. Her personal philosophy for improving quality of life is to always seek information to better prepare for a better tomorrow.
If you are interested in employment or volunteering with EL ARCA, please click on the links.