THE FOUNDERS
Who We Are
Behind every class, every workshop, and every student breakthrough is a team that genuinely believes in this work.
DIRECTORS
The Leadership Team
Bio: Luis Perez is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Code on Wheels, where he leads the organization’s vision, partnerships, and growth. He launched the organization in 2022 to make sure more students have access to technology, regardless of where they come from.
Luis focuses on building programs that bring real, hands-on learning directly into communities. His work is centered on creating opportunities for students to explore technology, build confidence, and see new possibilities for their future.
He earned his BBA from Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business.
Contact: Lperez@codeonwheels.org
Luis Perez
Executive Director
Bio: Geraldo Gonzalez leads program design and delivery, ensuring every student experience is engaging, practical, and impactful. As a self-taught developer who entered the tech field at a young age, he understands how powerful early exposure and the right support can be. He brings that perspective into his work — building programs that help students develop real skills while gaining confidence in technology.
Geraldo is focused on creating learning environments where students feel supported, challenged, and excited to keep learning.Geraldo Gonzalez
Program Director
Bio: Angel Cruz leads partnerships and fundraising, working to expand the reach and sustainability of Code on Wheels. He builds relationships with community organizations, foundations, and corporate partners to support and grow programs across West Michigan.
With a background in business development and relationship management, Angel focuses on creating long-term partnerships that open doors for students and strengthen the organization’s impact. His work helps ensure more students have access to meaningful opportunities in technology.Angel Cruz
Advancement Director
“The teacher helps in a way so that no one gets left behind.”
PROGRAM TEAM
Our Team
Our team brings together technical expertise and the human skills that make learning stick. From instructors to program and operations staff, we work together to create experiences where students feel supported, engaged, and ready to grow.
Bio: Alex is a Tech Instructor and front-end developer who brings real-world experience into the classroom. He works with modern tools like React, TypeScript, and Astro, and has experience building scalable web applications.
Alex focuses on making technology approachable and engaging for students. He helps break down complex concepts into practical learning experiences, giving students the confidence to build their own projects and continue learning beyond the classroom.
Alex O. Pena Gomez
Tech Instructor
Bio: Ian Milan supports Code on Wheels programs on an as-needed basis, assisting instructors and students during workshops and classes across the community. His role helps provide additional support to create a positive and engaging learning environment.
Ian Milan
On-Call Program Instructor
Bio: Stephanie Church supports Code on Wheels programs on an as-needed basis, assisting instructors during workshops, classes, and special programs. Her role helps ensure students receive additional guidance and support during activities.Stephanie Church
On-Call Program Instructor
Bio: Carla serves as a Tech Program Assistant at Code on Wheels. She is currently a student at Grand Rapids Community College and supports our programs by helping students during hands-on technology activities, assisting instructors, and creating a welcoming learning environment. Through her role, Carla helps students build confidence, explore new skills, and stay engaged throughout their learning experience.
Carla Rolon-Rivera
Tech Program Assistant
Bio: Alexandria serves as a Program Support & Outreach Intern at Code on Wheels. She is currently a student at Claflin University and supports the team with program coordination, outreach, and community engagement. Through her role, Alexandria helps strengthen the connection between our programs, students, families, and partners while supporting the day-to-day work that keeps Code on Wheels moving forward.
Alexandria Smith
Program Support & Outreach Intern
Bio: Pedro serves as the Systems & Data Operations Intern at Code on Wheels. He is currently a student at Grand Rapids Community College and supports the team with data organization, internal systems, and operational processes. In his role, Pedro helps improve how Code on Wheels manages information, tracks program activity, and strengthens the behind-the-scenes systems that support our programs and community partnerships.
Pedro Griswold
Systems & Data Operations Intern
Bio: Henry serves as the Development Intern at Code on Wheels. He is currently a student at the West Michigan Aviation Academy and assists the team with website management, organizational projects, and operational support. Through his work, Henry helps strengthen the systems and processes that support Code on Wheels' mission and day-to-day operations.
Henry Garrido-Heredia
Development Intern
Bio: Alexandria serves as a Program Support & Outreach Intern at Code on Wheels. She is currently a student at Claflin University and supports the team with program coordination, outreach, and community engagement. Through her role, Alexandria helps strengthen the connection between our programs, students, families, and partners while supporting the day-to-day work that keeps Code on Wheels moving forward.
Bio: Pedro serves as the Systems & Data Operations Intern at Code on Wheels. He is currently a student at Grand Rapids Community College and supports the team with data organization, internal systems, and operational processes. In his role, Pedro helps improve how Code on Wheels manages information, tracks program activity, and strengthens the behind-the-scenes systems that support our programs and community partnerships.
STUDENT FEEDBACK
Small Changes Add Up
Don’t take our word for it. Here’s what students say about their CoW experience.
%
Gained increased confidence in using tech
%
Developed increased interest in technology
%
Showed increased interest in tech careers
BOARD MEMBERS
Supporting Our Mission
Current Employer: Retired-Grand Rapids Community College
Bio: Raynard Ross has a professional history spanning a wide scope of human service careers. These include working in direct service and leadership within K-12 education, higher education, law enforcement, juvenile justice, and community-based organizations. Along with these professional roles he has decades of experience serving on various community boards, including 13 years as an elected trustee of the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education.
He recently retired as an Associate Dean at Grand Rapids Community College and now works with the consulting firm, Social Innovation & Design Strategies, to help uplift the next generation of service oriented work and those doing it throughout the greater Grand Rapids Community and beyond.
In his free time, Raynard enjoys music, reading historical fiction, golf, traveling, and spending time with friends and family.
He is a proud native of the city of Detroit and earned his bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and his master’s degree from Clark-Atlanta University.
Raynard Ross
Board President
Current Employer: Hungerford
Bio: Araceli Hurtado serves as Treasurer for Code on Wheels, providing oversight of financial strategy and stewardship in support of the organization’s mission to expand access to technology and digital education. She works in Client Advisory Services at Hungerford, where she specializes in financial planning and analysis for not‑for‑profit organizations.
Araceli brings a strong background in accounting and consulting to help ensure Code on Wheels operates sustainably while maximizing its community impact.
Araceli Hurtado
Treasurer
Current Employer: Gentex Corporation
Bio: Tristan Sweat is a corporate communications leader with more than 25 years of experience helping organizations communicate with clarity, purpose, and impact. She currently serves as Director of Corporate Communications at Gentex, where she leads internal communication strategies to align employees with business priorities.
Her career began in television news, where she worked as a producer and reporter, building a strong foundation in storytelling, deadline-driven decision making, and audience-focused messaging. Her journalism experience continues to shape her approach to corporate communications, emphasizing accuracy and relevance.
Over the years, Tristan has held roles across public relations, content marketing, internal and external communications, and executive messaging. She partners closely with senior leaders, human resources, and cross-functional teams to drive employee engagement, support transformation initiatives, and strengthen organizational trust.
Tristan is deeply passionate about education and ensuring all students have equal access to learning resources, which made joining the Code on Wheels board a natural fit and an extension of her commitment to community impact.
Tristan Sweat
Board Member
Current Employer: Meijer
Bio: DaiLynn is an IT leader, a design thinking practitioner, and an enthusiastic coach with a track record of driving innovation and organizational transformation. Currently serving in a technology leadership role at Meijer, DaiLynn brings a human-centered approach to solving complex business challenges, blending strategic thinking with practical execution. She also partners with organizations to navigate change, unlock potential, and build more effective teams through her newly founded firm, dL thoughtWorks. A passionate facilitator and mentor, DaiLynn is dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders and fostering cultures where creativity and collaboration thrive.
DaiLynn Dietz
Board Member
Current Employer: Meijer Inc
Bio: I am a Senior Software Engineer with experience in delivering technology solutions that support large-scale business operations. I have worked on building and improving systems that enhance efficiency, reliability, and overall user experience, while adapting to evolving business needs. I have been involved in modernizing existing platforms and contributing to initiatives that promote scalable and agile approaches to technology. My focus is on understanding both technical and business perspectives, ensuring that the solutions I work on align with organizational goals and deliver meaningful impact. I collaborate closely with cross-functional teams and leadership to drive successful outcomes, maintaining a strong emphasis on quality, consistency, and long-term sustainability. I approach challenges with a structured and practical mindset, enabling me to navigate complex situations effectively. I am committed to continuous learning and growth, and I strive to contribute to initiatives that create lasting value for the organization and its stakeholders.
Arjun Shivarudraiah
Board Member
Current Employer: Microsoft
Bio:
Niko Laput
Board Member
Company: Founder and Educational Consultant - Unlocking Potential
Bio: David Anderson brings extensive experience as a consultant, advisor, and startup founder in business and education. His background encompasses leadership and advisory roles in for-profit and non-profit organizations in multiple spaces, including college counseling, college admission, edtech, insurtech, HRtech, intellectual property development, and church leadership. Additionally, David is passionate about servant leadership.
David holds a Bachelor of Arts in Management from Hartwick College and a Master of Science in Higher Education Leadership from Syracuse University. Originally from New York City, David currently lives in Kalamazoo, Michigan with his wife, Diane and their Golden Retriever, Dory.
David L. Anderson
Board Member
Company: Software Developer - Paradigm
Bio: Karina Lopez believes deeply in the ability of knowledge to open opportunities. Having transitioned from marketing via a coding bootcamp, she knows firsthand how the right support can open career paths that otherwise feel out of reach. She now works as a software engineer for Paradigm, building software solutions for the home building industry. She has experience creating web apps with React, React Native, Django, and Python. She brings her technical background, non-traditional education, and servant heart to help Code on Wheels deliver on the mission.
Karina Lopez
Board Member
Company: Professor, Ferris State University
Bio: Tony Baker has engaged for 2 decades in a wide variety of community involvement through elected and community-based boards. He has been a Professor at Ferris State University since 1998 and, from 2014 through 2021, also served as Director of Community Engagement, where he co-established the Center for Latino Studies. Tony served on the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education for more than 14 years and then served two years on the Kent County Commission. Tony has played an instrumental role in the development of several education initiatives, including the “To College, Through College” program and the Grand Rapids Public Museum School. Tony currently serves on the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Grand Rapids Public Museum, the GRPS Foundation, and other community committees.
Tony Baker
Board Member
Annual Report
Explore our latest annual report to learn more about our programs, partnerships, and the impact we’re making across communities.