J. Manuel Herrera for San Jose City Council

About Manuel

"Experience That Money Can't Buy" and
Manuel's priority issues, click here.

Decades of Public Service

In 2010, Manuel will complete 20 years of service as a trustee for the East Side Union High School District. For the past two decades, he has championed the cause of kids, families, education, and community well-being, establishing a record of leadership.

Manuel's public service consists of the following:

Trustee, East Side Union High School District

Advisory Board and Vice Chair, Alum Rock Counseling Center

County Transportation Commission, Minority Citizens Advisory Committee

Board Member, Metropolitan Education District (MetroEd)

Board of Directors, Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI)

Board of Directors, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Board of Directors, Martin Luther King Association of Silicon Valley

Board of Directors, YMCA Downtown Branch

Board of Directors, Hospice of the Valley

Board of Directors, Eastfield Ming Quong

Santa Clara County Democratic Central Committee

Party Official, Silicon Valley Democratic Party

Executive Board, California State Democratic Party

MoveOn Coordinator, San Jose/Silicon Valley Council

	As ESUHSD Trustee, Manuel has:
	Worked to improve test scores and assure student safety Balanced budgets and helped pass bond measures to improve facilities Championed a solar energy project that saves millions of tax payer dollars and brings jobs and green technology to the Eastside Advocated a one-of-a-kind, school-to-career Construction Trades Academy, part of an unprecedented Project Labor Agreement for a major bond construction program Achieved new facilities for Adult Education and new immigrant programs

Manuel's Parents Were Migrant Workers

Manuel's parents were migrant workers who settled in San Jose in 1952. Upon arriving here, the Herrera family lived temporarily in a tent in the Milpitas area, as well as the side room of a church in San Jose 's Japantown. Manuel spoke only Spanish when he entered the public school system and dropped out of kindergarten because the schools weren't ready for children like him then.

Manuel is pictured at the left in the foreground picking prunes with his family in the early 1960s.

Hispanic Family of the Year

In one generation, the American dream has been fulfilled in the family of Humberto and Matilde Herrera. In 1998, at a spectacular black tie event at the San Jose Fairmont Hotel, the Herrera’s were honored as “Hispanic Family of the Year” for their civic service and professional accomplishments. More than 1,000 civic leaders attended the event (the annual Hispanic Charity Ball).

Herrera Family Role Model Conferences

Role Model Conference

Over the years, the Herrera family has spearheaded the dynamic, life-changing Role Model Conferences for our San Jose Eastside youth (thank you Esau and Rebecca, as well as many others). Manuel spoke to our youth at the 2008 Role Model Conference, which was held at Overfelt High School for students from throughout the region.

Manuel's Education and World Travel

BA Social Sciences, University of the Pacific
MA Urban Studies, Occidental College

Manuel was awarded a National Urban Fellowship that included study at Yale University and an assignment as Special Assistant to the Mayor of Seattle.

On scholarships, Manuel studied in India and Mexico and traveled worldwide, visiting Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bangkok, New Delhi, Calcutta, Bombay, Athens, Rome, Geneva, Paris, Madrid, Lisbon, New York, Mexico City, and more.

Manuel's Professional Background Manuel's career is in public policy and administration, working with city managers, elected officials, and nonprofit agencies. He is a public sector consultant, most recently affiliated with the National Conference for Community & Justice, a national human relations organization. Manuel is currently launching a nonprofit project called Alliance of Community and Teachers (ACT!), www.actforteachers.org. Manuel's professional career consists of the following:
	Director of Planning, United Way of the Bay Area Program Executive, National Conference for Community and Justice Ombudsman, City of San Jose Director of Human Services, City of Union City Community Relations Manager, City of East Palo Alto Legislative Aide, Capitol Hill and California State Legislature Public Sector Consultant

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Herrera for City Council
June 8, 2010

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