Staff

Anibal L. Taboas


President & CEO
President and C.E.O. of ASPIRA, Inc. of Illinois

Hector Miranda

Chief Engineer
Hector Miranda was born to proud Puerto Rican parents, and raised in Chicago’s Puerto Rican communities, providing him with a deep appreciation of his Hispanic heritage.

Hector has been the Chief Engineer for ASPIRA of Illinois since 2005. He and his staff of 14 manage the schools’ facilities to ensure the quality and safety of its faculty and students. Hector has obtained various certifications within the technology field, including a Certificate in CFC and HVAC; he is also certified by the EPA. In addition, Hector keeps up to date with changes and regulations within the industry to ensure that ASPIRA schools and technical facilities are in compliance with City of Chicago and Chicago Public Schools ordinances.

In 2007, Hector had the great honor of being part of the team overseeing the construction of ASPIRA Early College. The team successfully oversaw the completion of the school in 2008. His success in this challenge provided him with his most recent opportunity: to participate in the construction of the new ASPIRA Business and Finance High School, scheduled for completion in August 2013. Hector’s responsibilities include managing the scheduling, quality and coordination of engineers and contractors, and ensuring the project remains within budget.

Hector has enjoyed being part of ASPIRA of Illinois and looks forward to much growth and expansion to come.

Max Armendariz

Director, ASPIRA Information Technology Department

Max Armendariz moved to Chicago from Tampico, Mexico 18 years old. He begins his career at St. Augustine College in 1988 earning an Associates Degree with the highest award recognition on Computer Information Systems. He then obtains his Certification on CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Administrator) at DeVry in conjunction with Morrain Valley College, the first Cisco Network Associate Academy on Illinois.

He also worked back on 2001 with ASPIRA at National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Goddard Institute for Space Studies, at project NEWEST (NASA Educational Workshops for Elementary School Teachers) and NEWMAST (NASA Educational Workshops for Mathematics, Science and Technology Teachers) researching and development projects for the classroom of the future.

He has been working with ASPIRA since August 1999, pushing the limits of technology. Starting with only 4 computers and 1 site, he grew ASPIRA’s technology to best fit the needs of the organization, as it has grown very fast from 1 to 5 locations on the last 10 years, including 3 high schools, 1 middle school, 1 after school location and the administrative building. He manages 3 staff members who deliver infrastructure support to all ASPIRA buildings. This includes support for security, and technology needs for the organization.

Curriculum and Instruction

Maria Concepción

Operations and Instruction Administrator
Ms. Maria Concepción is an experienced professional with a diverse background in education and business. She has teaching and administrative experience from Puerto Rico, Chicago and suburban Illinois. Her 32 year extensive career includes experience in early childhood, special education, elementary and college education.

Throughout her tenure in education, she has served in a leadership capacity in various professional organizations including Hispanics in Vocational Education, Illinois Rehabilitation Services Advisory Council, Network for Hispanic Administrators in Education, and the Chicago Principal and Administrators Association Governing Board, among others.

Ms. Concepción has a bachelor’s degree from Sacred Heart University of Puerto Rico; earned her first Masters Degree in Public Administration from Roosevelt University; and continued to pursue another Masters in School Administration from the University of Illinois. Ms. Concepción is passionate about doing a positive contribution to society through her role in education.

Alexandra Pérez

English Language Learner Specialist
Alexandra Perez has 8 years of teaching Bilingual Education experience. A vast knowledge on WIDA and ACCESS assessment administration. Mrs Perez graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Masters in Literacy of Education, with a concentration in Bilingual Education and ESL instruction.

Mrs. Perez has a passion for education and is an excellent advocate for Bilingual Education. ASPIRA presents a perfect home for Mrs. Perez, as she welcomes the opportunity to serve the Latino community and assure the best educational practices for all learners.

Accounting

Anthony Roan

Controller

Rosa Yañez

Senior Accountant

Erica Lagunas

Accounts Receivables Clerk
Erica Lagunas has been working in the Accounting Department at ASPIRA Inc of Illinois since March 2008 as the Accounts Payable Clerk gaining all her experience at ASPIRA.

Erica was among the first graduating class of ASPIRA’s Mirta Ramirez Computer Science High School. She is currently enrolled at Wilbur Wright College. Her goal is to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and continue her post graduate studies towards a Master’s Degree in Psychology.

Erica enjoys being with her husband and family, reading and dancing in her spare time. She has two dogs and a tank filled with 16 fish.

Teresa R. Galvan

Voucher Preparer/Junior Account Receivables
Mrs. Galvan has worked for ASPIRA Inc. of Illinois since December, 2000, in the Accounting Department as a Voucher Preparer and also as Junior Account Receivables. She is responsible for the preparation of vouchers for the various programs and grants from Chicago Community Colleges (CCC), Chicago Public Schools (CPS), and State and Federal programs. She is also responsible for posting account receivables in the general ledger for the aforementioned programs, and for developing budgets for the programs and other duties in support of the administration as required.

Prior to working for ASPIRA, Teresa worked in administration for Nuevos Horizontes of Triton Community College from 1997-1999. Teresa also worked in various banking and financial positions in Mexico prior to coming to the United States in 1996. She has two daughters, who are graduates of St. Ignatius College Prep. Teresa likes to cook, exercise and dance!

Jocelyn Caraballo

Accounts Payables Clerk

Human Resources

Carline Murillo

Director, Human Resources

Gissel Irizarry

Human Resources Assistant
Gissel was born and raised in Chicago, IL, in the Humboldt Park and Logan Square neighborhoods. She started working with ASPIRA inc. of Illinois in 2006 as a Tutor for the sixth grade in summer school for ASPIRA Haugan Middle School. While attending Loyola University, she started working part-time with the ASPIRA Human Resources department.

She now works full time with ASPIRA Human Resources department while obtaining a degree in Human Resources. She enjoys spending time with family and friends and loves music.

Staff

Sheila Rosario

Executive Assistant