Manuel Chavez

Manuel is an advisor and technical assistance provider to non-profit and public entities with an emphasis in strategic planning and organizational development.

Manuel holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies, with an emphasis on the Urban Ethnic Experience, from the University of Southern California.

After more than thirty years of employment with the City of Los Angeles, in 2015 Manuel retired as Assistant General Manager of the City’s Housing + Community Investment Department.  In that capacity he had oversight responsibility for the planning and delivery of comprehensive social and neighborhood improvement services to low-moderate income City residents and communities.  He managed Community Development Block Grant and Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds that supported this work and was the City’s, State recognized CSBG Executive Director.

He was the primary architect of the FamilySource System that now serves as the City’s primary provider of anti-poverty initiatives.  FamilySource is an outcome driven model and is unique in that it measures the local economic impact of the program as compared against the investment of federal funds.  FamilySource is recognized as a model both statewide and nationally.

For years, Manuel also served as the City’s Workforce Development Division Director.  In that capacity he was responsible for the planning and oversight of the WorkSource and YouthSource service delivery systems and remains a valuable workforce development resource.

Manuel also served as Executive Director of the City’s Youth Fair Chance program, managing a collaborative of co-located community based organizations, providing a comprehensive array of social services to low-income City residents.  He coordinated service delivery, managed day-to-day operations, served as development officer and incorporated the program as a 501.c.3 organization that remains in good standing.

Manuel is proficient in the application of Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award criteria in managing and improving organizational performance and has presented, on numerous occasions, at California Council for Excellence (CCE) conferences.

Since his retirement Manuel has served as a consultant to non-profit organizations in the development of their strategic plans and scorecards, in mentoring executive staff, in developing policies and procedures and in providing general overall guidance.  He also managed the process for certifying all of the City of Los Angeles America’s Jobs Centers.