Jose has worked in business and community development for over ten
years. Currently, as the Executive Director of
Inner City Advisors, Jose
provides strategic leadership, management and direction to the
organization. He is passionate about entrepreneurship, having
been raised by his father - a successful farming entrepreneur - who
taught him how businesses have the power to transform
communities. Jose was recently recognized for his commitment
and track record in supporting entrepreneurs by receiving the 2009
Young Professional of the Year Award by the Oakland Metropolitan
Chamber of Commerce.
Prior to Inner City Advisors, Jose served as Development Director
for five years at Mission Economic Development Agency (MEDA), a San
Francisco-based nonprofit organization that provides
microenterprise business technical assistance and neighborhood
planning services to small businesses. Before working in the
nonprofit sector, Jose also worked in Corporate Retail Operations
and Human Resources at Macy's West, Inc.
Jose sits on various economic development board. He serves on
the Oakland Workforce Investment Board and sits on the Bay Area
Business Advisory Board of Directors for the Consulate General of
Mexico in San Francisco and the OneCalifornia Bank Advisory
Board. Jose is also a member of Board of Directors of the
YMCA of The East Bay, OBDC Small Business Finance and People's
Grocery. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from UC Davis,
and Entrepreneur Management Development Certification from the UCLA
Anderson School of Management.
When he is not busy doing community development work, you will find
him coaching and playing soccer--his other passion.
You can read a transcript of this interview on Have Fun Do
Good.