Board of Directors

  1. Lito Banal

    Lito believes that building solid relationships, making wise decisions and having the motivation to prosper are good principles to follow when dealing with a business/company or an individual. As he quoted "Inspiring one another will generate real power and energy to this Council. An empowered organization is one in which members have the will and the desire to personally succeed. Let NZPBC be your partner in your journey in exploring opportunities and expanding your networks in attaining your business targets and/or professional goals."

    Position: 
    Chairman
    Email: 
    lito.banal@nzpbc.com

  3. Gladys Sarmiento

    Gladys always believes in positivity & action and loves helping others in every small way possible. She is a graduate of Business Management at St. Paul College University City and also holds a Post Graduate diploma in Masters of Business Administration. She worked as a customer service specialist in a few health and telecommunication companies before establishing with her husband Brian their company called FunTo (Fun Thoughts New Zealand Ltd) where she currently acts as the Director. In her spare time, Gladys also loves travelling to discover different cultures and delicacies.

    Committee: 
    Media & Public Relations
    Email: 
    gladys.sarmiento@nzpbc.com

  4. Rene Pascual

    Rene has business interests in Information Technology, Healthcare, and Commodities Trading. He is a director of an IT consulting practice in Auckland CBD, a software company in Auckland with product development team in Manila, healthcare facilities in New Plymouth and Whangarei, and a Philippine-based importation and distribution company.

    Committee: 
    Business Development
    Email: 
    rene.pascual@ic.co.nz

  5. Eduardo Viterbo

    Ed is involved in the hospitality and manufacturing industry. He has been the Company Director since 1998 and is very passionate about his string of restaurants under the Quality Restaurants Group -- Mai Thai (in Victoria Street West and St. Heliers), Golden Silk (in Kumeu), Alo Alo Cafe, Grasshopper Restaurant (at the Stamford Plaza), Red Crab (in Ellerslie and Waiheke Island), and latest addition Thai Street Bistro (located in Wynyard Quarter).

    Committee: 
    Business Development
    Email: 
    ed.viterbo@nzpbc.com

  6. Lloyd Macrohon

    Lloyd'is an expert in the software industry, where he has been developing software for nearly 20 years. He is one of the original developers and software architect of one of NZ's most successful software products, MailMarshal.

    Being dynamic as he is, Lloyd is now a sucessful restaurateur. He is the director and co-owner of the recently opened Azon Restaurant in Parnell in partnership with Masterchef NZ finalist and head chef Leo Fernandez, along with Lloyd's wife, Christine Macrohon. Azon's goal is to introduce modern Filipino food to New Zealand.

    Committee: 
    Business Development

  7. Nick Salas

    Nick is a former business owner with over 23 years of experience in the timber building, construction, and manufacturing industry. He is currently a manager at Engineered Timber Solutions, which is a subsidiary of Fletcher Distribution Limited, serving since 2005 and previously served in various positions with Fletcher Residential, Fletcher Merchants, Fletcher Challenge Forests, Carter, Holt and Harvey, Jenkin Timber, Neil Timber and Allied Movers.

    Committee: 
    Special Projects
    Email: 
    nsalas@ihug.co.nz

  8. Jai Nario

    Jai is a Senior Associate at Chapman Tripp, a leading full-service law firm in New Zealand. Jai obtained trans-Tasman experience in Big Four accounting firms, covering Australian and New Zealand tax matters. She specialises in structuring, mergers and acquisitions, cross-border investments and tax disputes. Jai was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in New Zealand in 2007 and became a Chartered Accountant in 2009. She graduated from the University of Otago, where she earned her Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Bachelor of Law degrees.

    Committee: 
    Special Projects
    Email: 
    jai.nario@nzpbc.com

  9. Caroline Parreno

    Carol has extensive experience in business and project management consulting. She uses her project management specialist skills in serving and organizing events for the Wellington Filipino community for the past 20 years. Carol is currently involved in major government reform initiatives.

    Committee: 
    Special Projects
    Email: 
    mikejc@paradise.net.nz

  10. Ariel Abrogena

    Ariel was hired by 3 major shipping lines in New Zealand (Tasman Orient Line, COSCO NZ, and FESCO - HAMBURG SUD) where he gained 16 years of hands-on experience in the New Zealand shipping industry - work that involved logistics & operational tasks of ships, handling of specialized commodities, from project cargo to heavy machinery/livestock and perishable items. Through these, Ariel earned the title of being the first & only Filipino NZ customs broker, servicing major commercial trading firms and Filipino communities for their balikbayan/alisbayan boxes.

    Committee: 
    Special Projects
    Email: 
    philnz@xtra.co.nz

  11. Maria Catoto

    Maria had recently returned to the family business (Tres Marias) to ensure that the legacy of her hard-working father continues. Tres Marias Trading Ltd., owned and operated by her family which was founded by her parents Oscar and Mercy, are composed of the following subsidiaries: Tranfex New Zealand Ltd., Catoto Investments Ltd., and Freightwise International Global Logistics in Auckland, New Zealand.

    Committee: 
    Special Projects
    Email: 
    maria@tresmarias.co.nz

  13. Justinn Valerio

    Justinn specialises in consulting project and supply chain management. He is currently connected with Watercare, an Auckland Council infrastructure organisation that provides water and wastewater services to the Auckland region. He holds a Bachelor of Civil Engineering degree from the University of the Philippines and a Masters in Business Administration from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business. Prior to his current role, he worked as a Programme Manager at a large Australian maintenance and construction company for commercial developments and government housing projects.

    Committee: 
    Membership
    Email: 
    justinn.valerio@nzpbc.com

  14. Mark Dizon

    Mark is currently the Managing Director of MDG Property Management Limited, a Filipino-owned company managing residential properties in Auckland. Prior to this, he worked at Ray White Manukau as a property manager, as a real estate salesperson at Rex Davy Limited in West Auckland, and as a real estate broker in the Philippines. He graduated from Ateneo De Manila University, Philippines where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Management Engineering degree.

    Committee: 
    Membership
    Email: 
    mark.dizon@mdgproperties.co.nz