Meet the Team
Ben Garcia
Executive Director
Ben Garcia serves as the Executive Director of the Apprenticeship Readiness Fund, bringing over 20 years of experience in the construction industry as a tradesman, contractor, and building consultant. For the past 15 years, he has focused on developing, coordinating, instructing, and managing apprenticeship readiness programs for young adults throughout Southern California, while also serving as a consultant to programs across the country.
He is certified by the North America’s Building Trades Unions in implementing the Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) through a partnership with the University of Michigan. He is also certified through OSHA’s Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health in collaboration with the University of Utah School of Medicine as an OSHA Outreach Instructor.
In addition to his leadership role, Ben is deeply involved in workforce development efforts. He currently chairs the Los Angeles Unified School District’s Career and Technical Education Advisory Council and serves as a member of both the Los Angeles County and City of Los Angeles Workforce Development Boards, as well as the Southern California Apprenticeship Coordinators Association.
Myllex Guadamuz
Program coordinator
With over seven years of experience in workforce development and program coordination, Myllex has dedicated his career to helping others discover new opportunities in the skilled trades. He has successfully guided over 600 people into careers as new, local, and first-period apprentices, with a special focus on underrepresented groups within the trades.
Now, as part of the Apprenticeship Readiness Fund, Myllex collaborates with community colleges, community-based organizations, K-12, and school districts to build career pathways. He remains dedicated to creating opportunities for men and women across Los Angeles and Orange Counties to launch their careers in the skilled trades.
Vidal Zambrano
Program Coordinator
Vidal began his career with the Ironworkers Union at the turn of the century, completing his apprenticeship and becoming a journeyman in 2003. For 15 years, he contributed to shaping the Los Angeles and Orange County skyline. Over the following decade, Vidal’s fellow union members elected him to serve as Business Agent, President, and eventually Business Manager/ FS-T.
Drawing on his expertise, he spent three years as an Apprenticeship Instructor at the California Field Ironworkers Joint Apprenticeship facility in La Palma, CA, helping train the next generation of tradespeople. Today, Vidal continues to guide future apprentices as a Program Coordinator for the Apprenticeship Readiness Fund.
Irvin Barragan
Outreach Coordinator
Before joining the Apprenticeship Readiness Fund, Irvin served as a Community Liaison and Wildland Firefighter for the US Forestry, protecting lives, property, and natural resources. Alongside his firefighting duties, he acted as a public information officer, where he honed his skills in communication and public engagement.
As the Outreach Coordinator, Irvin applies his expertise in community outreach to connect people with opportunities in the trades. He takes pride in being a “walking, talking flyer” for the Apprenticeship Readiness Fund, dedicating himself to raising awareness across Los Angeles and Orange County. His strength in building relationships and engaging diverse communities has made him highly effective in spreading the Fund’s mission and expanding its reach.
Anastasia Ortiz
Grants Coordinator
With a background in data science and analytics, Anastasia has spent over nine years working in higher education and workforce development. Now, as the Grants Coordinator for the Apprenticeship Readiness Fund, her passion for helping others shines through in her daily work. Anastasia excels at connecting participants to new opportunities and rewarding careers within the union trades, using her expertise to open doors for those seeking meaningful employment.
Her dedication to bridging the gap between participants and opportunities in the trades makes her an invaluable resource for individuals looking to start or advance their careers. Anastasia finds joy in helping others discover their paths, with her commitment to making a positive impact at the core of everything she does.