Gomez, Fidel

Fidel Gomez serves as PepsiCo’s Government Affairs and Public Policy Manager. In this capacity Mr. Gomez supports and manages PepsiCo’s State & local governmental affairs, stakeholder relationships and community engagement in California and in the Western US Region. Previously, Mr. Gomez served as the Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations for the University of La Verne, where he was responsible for the strategic engagement of government, community, and external stakeholders. Additionally, he spearheaded a comprehensive development campaign to engage and steward corporations & foundations and key stakeholders of the institution and the community.
Additionally, Mr. Gomez served in the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) – Los Angeles Network, under the College of Business & Public Management hosted by the University of La Verne, where he was responsible for the implementation and delivery of technical assistance services and programming to start-ups, and established small businesses and entrepreneurs in the San Gabriel Valley region. His work was instrumental in creating an ecosystem and alignment for community, state, and federal stakeholders while leading a team of professionals to assist local businesses to start and/or grow and access capital for their businesses.

Prior to joining the University of La Verne Mr. Gomez served and acquired an extensive background in High-end, luxury and corporate retail where he provided strategic direction to assist with new store openings, sales, operations, and retail management for companies such as Brooks Brothers, Original Penguin, BCBG, Bloomindale’s & C-Wonder.
Mr. Gomez has had an active role on economic development, professional and community boards that include the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (CHCC), Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (OCHCC), TELACU Education Foundation, Bresee Foundation, and the Latino Advisory Board for the Orange County Soccer Club. He has also advised the national engagement of the Latino Food Industry Association and has served on past boards and advised organizations such as: San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership, LA Area Chamber of Commerce – One LA Regional Collaborative, & ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals for America) OC Chapter.

Mr. Gomez is a proud TELACU – David C. Lizarraga & Riordan fellow from the Southern California Leadership Network and an active community leader. Mr. Gomez was also a founding board member and past VP for the Orange County Youth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Gomez is passionate about empowering and collaborating with emerging leaders and youth to create pathways to higher education, economic development, and social mobility. Mr. Gomez grew up in México City where he developed the desire to study and emerge himself in International Business from an early age. Mr. Gomez holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in International Business from Cal State University, Fullerton. He also holds an MBA degree with an emphasis in Marketing & International Business from the University of La Verne, College of Business & Public Management.