Valencia, Pérez & Echeveste Public Relations announces staff appointments.

Valencia, Pérez & Echeveste Public Relations (VPE) announced the appointment of three account staff members: Lourdes Rodríguez, Account Manager, and Alicia Lopez, Account Executive in its Consumer Strategies Group, and Dolores Sanchez, Senior Account Executive in the Social Marketing Division.

Rodríguez has more than seven years experience in media relations, graphic design, marketing and promotions. In her new role with VPE, Rodriguez will manage the Nestlé account handling media relations and promotions. Before joining VPE, Rodriguez worked at a local advertising and public relations firm. She also managed marketing and communications efforts for White Memorial Medical Center. Rodriguez holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a minor in Marketing from California State University, Long Beach.

Lopez joins VPE as an Account Executive for the agency’s national McDonald’s account. Lopez has four years of public relations experience having worked on numerous projects for clients such as Coca-Cola, American Honda, American Legacy Foundation, the California Department of Health Services Tobacco Control Section, Got Milk?, and the National Honey Board.

Prior to joining VPE, Lopez worked with several Latino public relation firms, and at La Opinion newspaper. Lopez holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies and Spanish from Loyola Marymount University.

Sanchez brings extensive community relations, grassroots organizing and political experience to the agency. She will lead the Diversity in Health Professions account and assist in new business development. She has extensive government relations experience, having worked with Assemblyman Marco Firebaugh, Senator Gloria Romero, and Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano among others. Sanchez holds a Masters Degree in Sociology and a Bachelors Degree in Mexican American Studies both from California State University, Los Angeles.