Staff

Capitol Office

Capitol Phone Number: (916) 319-2027

Roy Sianez, Chief of Staff

• Role: Roy Siañez serves as Chief of Staff and oversees all operations of the Capitol and District offices. He advises the Assemblywoman on budget, legislative, district and personnel matters. He joined the office in December 2022 and has worked in both the Assembly and Senate since 2009.
• Education: Roy attended California State University, Sacramento (CSUS), majoring in Government and Journalism.
• Hobbies: A Central Valley native, in his spare time Roy enjoys winning in chess and is a fan of the Denver Broncos and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton”.

Arturo Salaices, Legislative Director
Healthcare, Education, and Water

• Role: Arturo’s primary role as Legislative Director is to coordinate and oversee the Legislative operations of Assemblywoman Soria’s Capitol Office. Those operations include researching and analyzing legislation the Assemblywoman will vote on as a member of the Assembly as well as managing the Assemblywoman’s own legislation.
• Education: Arturo has a Bachelor’s Degree (BA) in Government with a minor in Philosophy from Sac State (CSUS).
• Background: Arturo joined Assemblywoman Soria in the summer of 2023. He’s been working in the Legislature since 2007, where he started his career as an intern in the office of the Chief Clerk of the Assembly. He was born in San Francisco and was raised is Roseville, CA.
• Hobbies: When Arturo is not dedicating his time to the constituents of Assembly District 27, you’ll find him playing video games with his wife and son, competing in fighting game tournaments, or enjoying card and board games with friends at a local game shop.

Brody Fernandez, Communications Director

• Role: As Communications Director, Brody serves as the point of contact for all members of the press and external stakeholders. Brody speaks on behalf of the Assemblywoman to members of the media, organizes press conferences, handles media inquiries, writes press releases, and more. 
• Education: Brody has a Bachelor’s Degree (BA) in both Communication Studies and American History from the University of California, Davis. He’s also an Alum of Sierra College, with an AA in Communication Studies.
• Background: A Sacramento native, Brody joined team Soria in the fall of 2024. He’s been working in public service since 2022, when served on the press team for the California Department of Education, under the Thurmond Administration. Before that, Brody worked as an award-winning journalist in the Sacramento area for 9 years.
• Hobbies: When Brody is not dedicating his time to the constituents of Assembly District 27, you’ll find him fishing in the Sacramento River and Bodega Bay, and giving Underground Tours for the Sacramento History Museum.

Joana Enriquez, Scheduler/Executive Assistant
Aging & Long-Term Care, Arts & Entertainment

• Role: As Executive Assistant, Joana is tasked with scheduling all of Assemblywoman Soria’s meetings and appointments, and also handles ethics and compliance. She staffs the following Committees: Aging & Long-Term Care, Arts, Entertainment, Sports & Tourism, Communications & Conveyance, Human Services, Jobs, Economic Development, & the Economy, Privacy & Consumer Protection, and Utilities & Energy. 
• Education: Joana has a Bachelor’s Degree (BA) in Economics: (Public Policy) from San Diego State University.
• Background: Joana joined the team in December of 2022 and prior to joining the Assembly, worked for the State Senate. She was born in Mexicali, Baja California, but calls San Diego home. She resides in Sacramento. 
• Hobbies: In her free time, Joana enjoys reading comics, tinkering with her espresso machine. Every July, she makes her yearly pilgrimage to San Diego Comic-Con.

Ben Endsley, Legislative Aide
Housing, Transportation, and Local Government

• Role: Ben’s principal role is to assist Assemblywoman Soria in her legislative work. This includes helping to shepherd bills through all the necessary steps of the legislative process on their way to becoming laws, as well as meeting with stakeholders and members of the public interested in the bills’ proposed changes. Ben is also responsible for analyzing bills written by other members on several subjects (including housing, transportation, and local government) to give the Assemblywoman the information she needs to make informed decisions in the best interests of her constituents.
• Education: Ben has a Bachelor’s Degree (BA) in Political Science from Cal Poly Humboldt.
• Background: Ben interned in Assemblywoman Soria’s office in spring 2024 as part of the California State University’s Sacramento Semester Program. After graduation, Ben was hired on full-time to begin his career in public service.
• Hobbies: Outside of work, Ben enjoys reading, hiking, and watching his beloved Arizona Diamondbacks.

District Office

Merced District Phone Number: (209) 726-5465
Fresno Satellite Office Phone Number: (559) 890-2705

Gilbert Felix, District Director

• Role: Gilbert handles all district operations and stakeholder relationships, works with legislative and communications staff closely and as needed. The District Director oversees all district-wide operations and spearheads efforts for constituent outreach.
• Education: Gilbert received his Bachelor’s Degree (BA) in Political Science from Fresno State, and received his Master of Public Policy (MPP) degree from the USC Price School. 
• Hobbies: Gilbert enjoys fine wine and hiking. 

Vanessa Barraza, Field Representative/Caseworker
Madera, Chowchilla, Los Banos, Dos Palos, Fairmead, La Vina, and Parksdale

• Role: Vanessa serves District 27 as a Field Representative. Vanessa connects Assemblywoman Esmeralda Soria with the community, addressing concerns and advocating for resources. She proudly serves the cities of Madera, Chowchilla, Los Banos, Dos Palos, Fairmead, La Vina, and Parksdale, focusing on: Agriculture/Environmental concerns/Health/Higher Education (Community Colleges)/Labor - Native American Caucus -Women's Caucus
• Education: Vanessa is a proud recent graduate of Madera Community College, where she earned an Associate’s Degree (AA) in Social Sciences, an Associates for Transfer (AA-T) in Sociology, and an Associates of Science (AS) Degree in Biological Science.
• Background: Vanessa joined Team Soria in September 2024, bringing with her a passion for public service. During her time in college, she dedicated herself to academic excellence while actively participating in Associated Student Government. Through this role, she advocated for her fellow peers and contributed to policy implementations aimed at improving student life and campus operations.
• Hobbies: Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, sightseeing, traveling to new destinations, and spending quality time with her husband and kids.

Oneida Escobar, Field Representative/Caseworker

Firebaugh, Kerman, Biola, San Joaquin, Mendota, Caruthers, Raisin City, Cantua Creek, Five Points, Kerman, West Fresno, Huron, and Coalinga.

• Role: Oneida serves District 27 as a Field Representative, tackling the following issues: Housing, Human Services, Immigration/Immigrant Affairs, Insurance, LGBTQ Issues, Labor, Employment (CalOSHA), and Latino Caucus. 
• Education: Oneida went to the University of California, Davis, where she recieved a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, she also minored in Political Science and Education.
• Background: Oneida joined team Soria in May of 2024. Prior to that, she worked on two congressional political campaigns in California and another campaign for in New Mexico. She's also worked for the New York State Senate, doing constituent casework as a field representative. 
• Hobbies: biking outdoors (on forest roads) and going for walks. I also enjoy playing soccer, tennis, and basketball. 

Maria Pacheco, Senior Field Representative

• Role: Maria Pacheco serves as a Senior Field Representative, overseeing outreach and community engagement in the communities of Coalinga, Firebaugh, Huron, San Joaquin, and Tranquility, focusing on: arts and entertainment, higher education, human services, immigration and immigration affairs, K–12 education, labor and employment, Native American Caucus, the nonprofit sector, and the Women’s Caucus. She joined the team on April 1, 2025.
• Education: Maria holds an Associate’s degree in Social Work from Fresno City College and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work with an emphasis in macro practice policy and advocacy from Fresno State University. She is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW).
• Hobbies: In her free time, Maria enjoys camping and attending Native American gatherings.

Alexandra Rizo, Field Representative/Caseworker
Livingston, Atwater, Planada, Le Grand, Merced, and Santa Nella

• Role: Alexandra serves as a Field Representative for the district and represents the communities of Livingston, Atwater, Planada, Le Grand, Merced, and Santa Nella. She works on general issue areas, but specifies in the Chowchilla Women’s Prison, Public Safety, and Higher Education.
• Education: Alexandra attended and graduated from the University of California, Merced with a Bachelor’s Degree (BA) in Political Science and minor in Sociology.
• Background: Alexandra joined Team Soria in May of 2023, and has been involved in public service for 4 years. She previously worked as a legal assistant in private law firms and at the Merced County District Attorney’s office. Alexandra comes from a legal background with a passion for policy and public service. She was born in Los Angeles but grew up in Merced.
• Hobbies: Outside of work – She enjoys spending time with family and friends. She loves traveling and exploring new cities and countries. She loves photography and taking pictures of anything that catches her eye.

Julian Villafana, Field Representative/Casework Manager

• Role: Julian Villafana serves as the district’s casework manager, handling casework and issues facing constituents of district 27 throughout all three counties including Madera, Merced, and Fresno.
• Background: Julian joined team Soria in December. 2023. Previously, Julian was an Ambassador, then Director for the Merced Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Julian served as Chair for the Government Relations Committee for the Chamber as well. Before that, Julian was a labor advocate and Union Delegate for the United Auto Workers Union, Local 76. He chaired several committees while working for the Ford Motor Company.
• Hobbies: Julian is a movie and music buff. He’s also a local musician, and started playing drums at the age of 6, and has been in 4 bands. He loves to watch movies with his family and likes to try new cuisines in Merced.