News Release (For Immediate Release)

HCSB Board Director Dr. Angelo Farooq Selected to Lead National Association of State Workforce Board Chairs, a First in California History

Southern California Region (Aug. 15, 2023) –  Dr. Angelo Farooq, Chair of the California Workforce Development (CWDB), and Board Director for the Hispanic Coalition of Small Businesses (HCSB) has been elected by his peers as the Chair of the National Association of State Workforce Board Chairs. This is the first time in history that a California State Workforce Board Chair has held this national leadership position.

“Congratulations to Dr. Angelo Farooq on this historic election,” said Frank Montes, Founding Chairman of the Hispanic Coalition of Small Businesses (HCSB). “We at HCSB are working hard to Advance Small Business Communities, and Dr. Farooq plays a critical role in the strategic direction we are taking. In addition to being a Founding Director of the HCSB Board, Angelo is a member of the HCSB Education, Housing, Infrastructure & Workforce Development Committee (https://www.hcsb-us.org/education-housing-infrastructure-and-workforce-committee). He brings his valuable expertise and advice to HCSB members at a grassroots level, where our small business owners can benefit directly,” added Montes. “Structuring our HCSB Board of Directors with experts and advocates like Dr. Angelo Farooq was one of our strategic priorities. Now, with Angelo serving as the Chair of the National Association of State Workforce Board Chairs, the breadth and depth of his knowledge and expertise will benefit small and diverse-owned businesses throughout California and the nation at an even higher level. We are proud to have Angelo as a founding director of the HCSB Board of Directors,” added Montes.

Dr. Angelo Farooq accepted the board chair position by saying, “I am honored to have the trust and confidence of my colleagues across the nation. In my five years serving as Chair of the CWDB, we have expanded high road partnerships to new sectors, established construction partnerships in every corner of our state, and much more. I look forward to working with my fellow workforce development board chairs to share what has worked here in California and how we can extend economic opportunity to more Americans.”

Stewart Knox, Secretary of California’s Labor & Workforce Development Agency, in a statement acknowledged Dr. Farooq’s instrumental role in building a high-road economy in California. “Under Governor Newson’s leadership, Dr. Farooq and the CWDB have over $1 Billion in workforce investments in the field today and are leading the way in creating good jobs and meeting the workforce needs of California businesses.” These workforce investments come at a time when states are trying to ensure that a skilled workforce is ready for historic federal infrastructure funding in transportation, clean energy, and broadband. 

About Hispanic Coalition of Small Businesses

HCSB Vision: To be the leading resource, advocate, and voice of Hispanic and diverse-owned small businesses, representing their interests in the Inland Empire region and throughout the State of California to ensure the success of our communities.

HCSB Mission: To champion and empower coalitions among Hispanic and diverse small businesses, government, and local communities in the Inland Empire region, and throughout the State of California, by providing resources and opportunities to ensure their success.

The Hispanic Coalition of Small Businesses is a 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization comprising an alliance of diverse organizations based in the Southern California region. HCSB is committed to Advancing Small Business Communities … because when small businesses succeed and grow, so do the communities in which their owners, employees and families live and work. HCSB supports its Vision and Mission by championing and empowering coalitions among Hispanic and diverse-owned small businesses, government, and local communities in the region and across the country. HCSB and its supporters provide resources and opportunities to ensure the success of these small businesses. The HCSB leadership team – its Chairman, Board of Directors, Advisory Board, Committee Chairs, and the leaders of the HCSB Affiliate Member organizations – are well-established and experienced members of the community who have been at the helm of local, regional, statewide, and national organizations. https://www.hcsb-us.org/

HCSB has seven diverse standing committees that differentiate the organization from other non-profit organizations. All seven committees – which include Advancement (Sponsorship & Membership); Arts & Entertainment; Diversity & Inclusion; Education, Infrastructure, & Workforce Development; Green Energy & Sustainability; Procurement; Public Affairs (Community, Corporate, Government) – can be viewed at the following link: https://www.hcsb-us.org/arts-and-entertainment-committee

About National Association of State Workforce Board Chairs

The National Association of State Workforce Board Chairs is a membership organization composed of the chairs of Governor-appointed state workforce development boards, which are responsible for overseeing state workforce development systems. The Association is an affiliate of the National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices, which supports administration and convenings for the association. https://www.nga.org/projects/national-association-of-state-workforce-board-chairs/

Dr. Angelo Farooq is appointed as the Chairman of the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB) (https://cwdb.ca.gov/) under Governor Gavin Newsom administration. CWDB is responsible for governing all federal workforce funds to the State and developing a common policy framework for the overall $6 billion annual system. Angelo is elected as the President of the Board of Education for Riverside Unified School District (RUSD) and served on the board since 2015. Angelo earned his Bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley, Executive Master and Doctorate of Policy, Planning & Development degrees from the University of Southern California. Angelo is proud to be the inaugural recipient of the NAACP Riverside Branch Waudieur Rucker-Hughes Legacy Service Award and an inaugural recipient of the Legacy Builders Award recognized by the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California. Angelo is married to Vessy and they have a daughter named Maya.