FEWA Team

MEET FEWA’s FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT | Scott Evans
As the founding President of the Federation of Employers and Workers of America, Scott Evans has led FEWA’s evolution in becoming the internationally recognized H-2A and H-2B community leader that exists today.

Under his direction, and through coordination with other National, Regional, and State stakeholder organizations, FEWA takes pride in its legislative leadership role, unparalleled governmental agency advocacy for all stakeholders, critical stakeholder information distribution, and ethical stewardship of the H-2A/H-2B programs to the benefit of the greater communities.

Mr. Evans has continually strived to ensure that all FEWA staff members treat every worker and every employer with the individual attention only afforded by a nonprofit association of employers and workers banding together for the mutual benefit of all. In short, Mr. Evans acknowledges that all the members of FEWA are the employers of the entire FEWA staff, including himself; and that the members are the owners of all the assets of the nonprofit organization, including the FEWA building.

Since 1995 he has tirelessly worked for the greater good of the entire H-2A/H-2B community and is considered throughout the H-2A/H-2B community to be a “pioneer.”

Mr. Evans says his sincere hope is that 100 years from now workers and employers will still benefit from this first not-for-profit organization of its kind that clearly recognizes that the employers and the workers must collectively unite to make any business or employment opportunity successful.

Mr. Evans is a fluent Spanish speaker.

Education: B.S. Horticulture – Texas A & M University (cum laude)

Pam Evans | Chief Financial Officer
Since FEWA’s origin in 2003, Mrs. Evans has been the organization’s Chief Financial Officer. She has managed FEWA’s membership dues-based funding with due diligence from the meager beginning to the current solid footing that the FEWA membership now benefits from.

Prior to joining FEWA, Mrs. Evans had a sixteen-year career in management in the Green Industry. While in the Green Industry, she gained extensive financial management experience as a CFO for a regional grower and a landscape construction & maintenance contractor. Uniquely, her experience parallels many of FEWA employer-members.

On the worker-member side, she has managed hundreds of diverse workers. She says her love for the workers in the Green Industry has kept her inspired all these years.

Arnulfo Hinojosa | Vice President
Being involved in the H-2A/H-2B temporary guest worker process since the year 2000 has allowed Mr. Hinojosa to experience and learn all the federal program facets. He began working with these programs when he was 20 years old and still in college. After traveling the country speaking at various events for state, national, and international associations, he continues to get the same question: “Why do you do what you do?” His short answer: “We get to help both workers and employers positively change their lives.” His long answer: “Not only are we helping employers become more successful by fulfilling their seasonal employment needs; but also, by helping the workers who are coming from countries where there are little to no other options for employment and a way to feed their families.”

Having the unique experience of traveling throughout Mexico and Central America to help potential workers through the paperwork and interview process at various U.S. Consulates has been a wonderful experience for Mr. Hinojosa. He has visited workers’ hometowns and has had the pleasure of being introduced to their families and visit their communities. Mr. Hinojosa says, “Seeing the communities that their hard-earned U.S. dollars help build was a very humbling experience that I will never forget.”

Mr. Hinojosa feels that he has been blessed with the opportunity to continue to improve the programs by educating employers on staying compliant and continued advocacy in D.C. for further program advancements. He continues making a difference in people’s lives and “Solving America’s Immigration Problems, One Employer and One Worker at a Time.”

Mr. Hinojosa is bilingual (English/Spanish). His Hispanic heritage and culture give him a unique insight into the Hispanic workforce in today’s America. He grew up in a small South Texas town where his grandfather immigrated from Mexico.

Rita Romero | Office Manager / Member Guide
Mrs. Romero has successfully coordinated more H-2B employers than any person or group in the H-2B program’s history. Since 1997, she has developed strong working relationships throughout the federal government agencies responsible for the H-2A and H-2B programs. Over the years, the governmental agencies themselves have often asked Mrs. Romero H-2B technical questions due to her depth of knowledge and experience.

Her husband, Javier Romero, is an immigrant that owns and operates a successful trucking company. They have two daughters, one son, and five grandchildren.

Mrs. Romero is a fluent Spanish speaker and writer.

Brandi Riha-Cowan | Development Coordinator / Member Guide
Since 2007, Mrs. Cowan has been guiding FEWA members through the H2A and H2B programs. She is accommodating and is quick to assist her co-workers when they have questions. Mrs. Cowan is responsible for updating and developing the internal H-2A process to make the process easier for FEWA members and FEWA staff.

She is passionate about FEWA’s mission and says that FEWA’s dedication to members is why she finds her job so enjoyable. Spending time with family, watching her two girls play sports, reading, and baking are a few of the things Mrs. Cowan enjoys.

Education: Associate Degree in Criminal Justice – Wharton Junior College.

Robin Svec | Training Coordinator / Member Guide
Ms. Svec coordinates and implements the in-house H-2 programs staff training and assists in the guide process. She provides professional guidance to members and is committed to providing the best service to both Employer-Members and Worker-Members. She thrives delivering accurate and thorough program information for FEWA staff, as well as membership.

Linda Seals | Member Guide
Prior to working with FEWA members, Ms. Seals spent more than fifteen years in business administration. Her past business management experience helps her relate to the FEWA employer-members as a FEWA Member Guide. She guides members through the cumbersome paperwork of the federal guest worker programs.

Ms. Seals is a fluent Spanish speaker from a small town in Southwest Texas which helps her relate to our FEWA worker-members. She loves her Faith and family.

Vanessa Garcia | Member Guide
Before working with FEWA, Ms. Garcia worked ten plus years as a Licensed Certified Pharmacy Technician. Her attention to detail plays a key role in guiding both worker and employer-members of FEWA.

Ms. Garcia is a fluent Spanish speaker.

Ms. Garcia a mother of three, enjoys family time and family sporting events.

Vanessa Ryman | Member Guide
Ms. Ryman helps FEWA members navigate the H-2 program process.

Prior to working with FEWA, Ms. Ryman spent nine years in education. Her passion to educate helps FEWA employer and worker-members succeed in the federal guest worker visa programs.

She enjoys fishing, kayaking, shopping, reading, spending time with family and friends, and attending Church.

Ms. Ryman has a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Sam Houston State University, where she graduated magna cum laude.

Theresa Luchak | Member Guide
She loves the outdoors, fishing, hunting, and gardening. When not working, she spends time with family and friends.
Mrs. Luchak graduated with an Associate of Arts (AA) in Business Administration from Wharton County Junior College. She also graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration (BBA) in Management from the University of Houston-Victoria.

Taelor Fletcher | Member Guide
Prior to working with FEWA members, Mrs. Fletcher spent more than 15 years in customer service.  She is committed to providing quality member service and takes pride in helping others.  Her willingness to always be helpful and responsive is what makes her a great FEWA Guide. She is a mother of 2 boys who keep her busy with their love for baseball. She enjoys spending time with family, volunteering for her sons’ baseball teams, camping, video games, and puzzles.

Jamie Hargraves | Legal Assistant
Mrs. Hargraves began her career with FEWA as a FEWA Member Guide; she resigned when she started her family. Now that her children are in school, she is a part-time member of the FEWA staff, working closely with the FEWA legal counsel, researching, writing documents, and reviewing supporting evidence from FEWA Members.

Mrs. Hargraves has an Associate of Arts in Business Administration from Wharton County Junior College.
Keeping up with her two small boys keeps her terribly busy and supplies her with many funny stories. She is a native Texan who grew up in the small town of El Campo. Mrs. Hargraves, and her family, live on a small cattle ranch where she enjoys feeding and tending the livestock.

Lupita Romero | Executive Assistant
Ms. Romero has grown up with FEWA since her mother began working here when she was three years old. Now she is a FEWA employee working part-time as an Executive Assistant helping with application filings, accounting, and administrative duties.

Currently, Ms. Romero is attending nursing school. She is extremely passionate about becoming a nurse and feels this is her appointed path, especially after she began skills classes and clinicals.

Cesar Tirado | Monterrey Office Manager
Mr. Tirado began his career in the Nogales, Mexico office. In 2013, Mr. Tirado was appointed the position of Office Manager in Monterrey, Mexico where he facilitates the completion of government forms for FEWA worker-members to apply for work visas. Responsible for the coordination of hundreds of worker-members daily, training of staff, and maintaining a safe and efficient office, Mr. Tirado was awarded the FEWA Hall of Fame award in 2017 for his leadership and compassion in assisting thousands of worker-members annually.

Mr. Tirado is originally from Monterrey, Nuevo León México. When he is away from the office, he spends his time travelling to new and quiet places and enjoys sampling the cuisine along the way. He is also a lover of nature and feels fortunate to be a part of the FEWA team because of its values toward helping people.

Daniel Estrada | Consular Relations Manager
Mr. Estrada represents the FEWA worker-members at the consulate when they apply for their work visas and coordinates their interview appointments. He helps workers from the time they walk into the office until the moment they have visa results in their hands.

Mr. Estrada has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Metropolitan University of Monterrey. Mr. Estrada is originally from Monterrey. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends cooking, fishing, and outdoor activities including soccer and boxing. He especially enjoys working as a team to achieve all the objectives that are planned.