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Executive Team


Angela Blanchard, President and CEO
Angela Blanchard is recognized for her pioneering work in asset-based community development that focuses on the human, social and cultural strengths of vulnerable populations. Blanchard is the president and CEO of Houston-based Neighborhood Centers Inc., one of the top 1% of U.S.-based charitable groups that serves 250,000 clients annually through 60 facilities in the Houston and Gulf Coast regions. Former HUD Assistant Secretary Roberta Achtenberg (who currently serves on the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights) has praised Blanchard for her innovation in developing “a powerful transformational model” with important implications for community redevelopment efforts throughout the nation.

Blanchard joined Neighborhood Centers in 1986 and was named president and CEO in 1998. She rapidly expanded the scale of the 104-year-old agency and grew its operating budget from $40 million to more than $220 million. Today, the agency is widely respected for achieving outstanding results in a number of public-service initiatives, including community schools and place-based education programs; immigration and citizenship outreach and advocacy; senior services; economic development; tax services; and disaster-recovery services coordinated in the wake of devastating hurricanes. In 2010, more than 300 organizations applied for Promise Neighborhood Grants from the U.S. Department of Education – and Neighborhood Centers Inc. was selected as one of only 21 recipients nationwide.

Blanchard has been honored by a number of organizations for advocacy on behalf of working immigrants, her excellence in nonprofit leadership, and outstanding achievements in community service. She has been named one of Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women by Houston Women Magazine and was a “Shattered Glass” honoree of the Harris County Women’s Political Caucus. The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center honored Blanchard with its “2007 Everyday Freedom Hero Award” for her advocacy on behalf of the nation’s working immigrants, and the Chinese Community Center has recognized Blanchard with its “Compassion Award.”

Blanchard is active in the Greater Houston Partnership’s Executive Women’s Partnership; the Women’s Initiative and Alexis de Tocqueville Society of the United Way of Greater Houston; and American Leadership. She currently serves on the Nonprofit Enterprise of the Future Advisory Committee for the Alliance for Children and Families; the Ad Hoc Committee on Sustainability for United Neighborhood Centers of America; the Complex Organizational Structure Group of the Alliance for Children and Families; and the national Community Advisory Board of JPMorgan Chase.

View video excerpts of Angela Blanchard's speeches on YouTube.

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Douglas E. Shadle, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Douglas E. Shadle joined the Neighborhood Centers Executive Team as Senior Vice President and COO in August 2001 after serving as a volunteer and Board Member for two years. Shadle brings 25 years of experience as a marketing and communications executive with Exxon to Neighborhood Centers, as well as experience in the areas of strategic planning, visioning, and implementation. He is a proven team builder with organizational and employee development expertise and extremely strong management and administrative skills.

Shadle started his career with Exxon as a salesman in 1961. He climbed through many positions, including Sales Supervisor, Economics and Business Analyst, and Product Sales Manager before becoming the National Product Manager in 1977 where he was responsible for forecasting, production, and distribution of $20 million of Atlas Tires per year. In 1982, Shadle joined the Advertising and Communications Group, where he supervised several aspects of Exxon advertising, including print, radio, and outdoor advertising. As Executive Producer of Exxon’s training seminars, he produced multi-image productions that were used to train thousands of Exxon dealers and distributors in the latest business methods. Shadle created and produced videos and live presentations selling business “excellence” concepts and providing basic management skills training.

He served as a school principal and mathematics and science teacher in a private school – Eagle Academy. In 1995, he became the Associate Pastor of Liberty Revival Church, a non-denominational church in Northwest Houston.

Shadle earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Northern Arizona University and his Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University. He and his wife Patricia stay active water skiing, scuba diving, and snow skiing, among other outdoor activities. They especially treasure family trips taken with their three sons, wives, and six grandchildren.

Ray Chung, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer
As the Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Ray Chung is responsible for developing, communicating, executing, and sustaining Neighborhood Centers’ strategic initiatives. These strategic initiatives will drive the agency’s activities toward building vibrant communities.

Chung joined Neighborhood Centers’ Executive Team in 2005 as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to his current position, Chung was a business consultant specializing in mergers and acquisitions of small and mid-sized companies.

From 1995 to 2000, he was a Partner of Dartford Partnership, a privately held partnership he co-founded that was engaged in the acquisition and management of packaged food businesses and companies. Prior to forming Dartford, Chung was co-founder, Executive Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer of a privately held milling and baking-mix company with $385 million in annual revenues.

From 1987 to 1990, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Wyndham Foods, Inc., a cookie company formed through the acquisitions of small, regional cookie companies. At the time of its sale to President Enterprises in 1990, Wyndham was the third-largest cookie company in the United States.

Chung was formerly employed by Riviana Foods, Inc., most recently as Vice President of Finance. Riviana is one of the leading manufacturers and marketers of packaged rice and rice mixes in the United States.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rice University and a Master of Business Administration from Stanford University. He is married and has two children.

Emelda Douglas, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer
Emelda Douglas enjoys the gentle art of fundraising. Guiding charitably inclined individuals and organizations through the challenges and rewards of philanthropy. With an uncompromising commitment to excellence, achievement, and innovation she unites stakeholders through their common interests with the many effective programs offered by Neighborhood Centers.

Douglas joined Neighborhood Centers in 2006 bringing an extensive knowledge of the local nonprofit community. As part of the senior leadership team, Emelda is instrumental in ensuring that Neighborhood Centers sustains its growth and relevance in providing resources to families in Houston’s most vulnerable communities.

Neighborhood Centers’ annual operating budget exceeds $200 million. Douglas is responsible for the strategic direction and implementation of the Agency’s fund development, which includes principal gifts, planned giving, corporate and foundation relations and annual giving program. Additionally, she oversees marketing and communications, program planning and evaluation and public resource development.

Prior to joining Neighborhood Centers, she was Vice President of Community Investment for the Greater Houston Community Foundation and facilitated the distribution of annual grants of more than $34 million to local charities. The previous decade of her career was in the private sector in business development for a natural gas liquids pipeline company.

Douglas is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE) and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, accounting major, and graduated with honors from Stephen F. State University.

Claudia Vasquez, Senior Vice President and Chief Program Officer
Claudia Vasquez knows what it takes to build vibrant communities, and in her role as senior vice president and chief program officer, she leads the charge in unifying programs that support educational attainment, financial wellness and engaged citizenship.

Vasquez joined the Neighborhood Centers team in February 2010 as vice president of Community Based Initiatives, overseeing programs in the areas of youth development, economic sustainability, immigration and citizenship, leadership development, and family health and wellness. In this role, Vasquez had an integral role in building the Gulfton Promise Neighborhood, a nationally-recognized initiative supported by President Obama and his administration.

Prior to joining Neighborhood Centers, Vasquez served as the director of the Citizens Assistance Office for the Office of City of Houston Mayor Bill White. She also served under Mayor Bob Lanier and her tenure with the City of Houston includes coordination and oversight of community initiatives for the Citizen’s Assistance Office. Vasquez launched her career in social services in 1993. Since then, she has been a teacher, case manager, job developer, director of youth programs, and a school principal for an alternative HISD at-risk charter high school.

Vasquez holds a Master of Education degree from the University of Houston, she’s a Graduate Fellow from the Harvard University School of Education, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Saint Edward’s University. She is certified in special education instruction and English as a Second Language Instruction. She also holds a Principal’s Middle Management certification and Superintendent Management certification. In 2009 Vasquez was recognized as a Top Woman in Government in the City of Houston and in 2010 she was recognized as a Top 100 Hispanic Administrator by the Texas Association of Hispanic Educators.

Jane Bavineau, Executive Director of Care for Elders, Sheltering Arms Senior Services
Jane Bavineau is director of Care for Elders for Sheltering Arms Senior Services, a subsidiary of Neighborhood Centers Inc. and a charter member United Way agency. Founded in 1893, Sheltering Arms has a proud legacy of supporting Houston’s older adult community and their caregivers.

Bavineau is the Executive Director of Care for Elders, a local partnership of more than 80 organizations that is working to improve the care and services provided to older adults and family caregivers in Houston and Harris County. Bavineau’s tenure with Sheltering Arms began in 1979. She left briefly to work for the American Red Cross and returned to Sheltering Arms in 1989, serving in nearly every capacity. She has been an intake worker, case manager, director of volunteer services, and served as the director for various program. She served as vice president for 15 years, providing leadership to critical in-home and dementia day care programs, care management and various caregiver support services.

A social worker by trade and with nearly 30 years of experience in the field of gerontology, Bavineau has been recognized for her commitment to improving the lives of older adults. In 2004 she was named Social Worker of the Year by the local chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, and in 2006 she received the Advocate of the Year Award from the University of Texas Health Science Center School of Nursing. Bavineau has served as the project director for two national demonstration projects, and in 2007, was selected as one of 10 Practice Change Fellows in the country because of a project she envisioned for improving the health of older adults with congestive heart failure. Bavineau is a member of 15 city, county, and state-level councils dedicated to improving the lives of senior adults.

Thomas Comella, Vice President of Information Technology and Capital Projects & CIO
Thomas Comella is Vice President of Technology, Information Systems and Facilities and Chief Information Officer of Neighborhood Centers Inc. He is responsible for leading the information technology and physical infrastructure, information systems, and telephony services for Neighborhood Centers’ 58 locations. Comella considers his work providing the infrastructure critical to executing the crucial services that Neighborhood Centers provides in the neighborhoods it serves. He is committed to providing the most efficient and effective solutions to serve Neighborhood Centers and the community.

Prior to his work at Neighborhood Centers, Comella served as the Director of Information Services at OakBend Medical Center in Richmond, Texas. He enjoyed serving his community by strengthening and providing efficient and effective controls and the infrastructure to assist in meeting the medical needs of the growing Fort Bend County. He also served in the for-profit world as the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA) National Champion for KPMG.

Upon returning to Texas from his military relocations throughout the country, Comella engaged himself in the community, participating in the Richmond/Rosenberg Leadership Class 2004. He served as Co-Chair of the Texas Hospital Association’s Information Systems Advisory Board. Comella is also active as a volunteer on the Commercial Exhibits Committee of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Comella is a native of Abilene, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Information Systems from Southwest Texas State University. He has had numerous technical certifications, including Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE).

Felix Fraga, Vice President of External Relations
Felix Fraga, Vice President of External Relations for Neighborhood Centers Inc. since 1990, is responsible for developing and maintaining relationships with individuals, companies, and foundations on behalf of the Agency. Fraga has worked continuously for Neighborhood Centers since 1946, beginning his career with the Agency as a youth worker at Rusk Settlement, which later became the Kirkland-Ripley Community Center. In 1970, he was promoted to Center Manager over Ripley House Community Center. His continued support and acclaim throughout the Houston Community have served Neighborhood Centers Inc. in the many community improvements and programs undertaken by the Agency.

In addition to his service to Neighborhood Centers and its clients, Fraga has served on numerous volunteer boards and committees, as well as on a variety of task forces and councils. Fraga is particularly well known for his work to improve the social, economic, and physical surroundings of Houston's Second Ward. He is a member of the Houston Committee for Private Sector Initiatives, Houston Housing Development Corporation, the United Way Campaign, and the Housing Finance Corporation. He has also served on the Chinquapin School Board, Cultural Arts Council of Houston, Neighborhood Housing Service, and the Houston Housing Authority. He was also a member of the Board of the Houston Independent School District for four years where he helped to increase parent participation within the entire School District.

Fraga has been honored for his tireless service and efforts throughout his career. In 2000, he was given a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Houston Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers for his work in improving Houston’s inner city and received the Metro Salute to Hispanic Families. Fraga and two of his brothers, Lupe and Angel Fraga, were honored with the Community Service Award by the Mexican American Bar Association in 2001.

A member of the National Association of Social Workers, he earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Houston and his Master’s in Social Work from Our Lady of the Lake College in San Antonio.

Ann Hilbig, Vice President of Program Planning and Evaluation
Ann Hilbig is the Vice President of Program Planning and Evaluation for Neighborhood Centers Inc. In this role, she directs the design of program delivery and evaluation models for agency programs, and oversees both government relations and government grant writing.

In her 23-year tenure with the agency, Hilbig has held a number of positions, beginning as an intake worker in the agency’s child care program. Since joining the executive team in 2001, Hilbig has held responsibility for program operations at all of the agency’s community-based sites. Her accomplishments include the opening of an elementary charter school; development of innovative models of collaboration for early childhood programs; incorporation of the asset-based community development philosophy into program operations; doubling the number of senior centers; adding an evidence-based senior fitness program; and the implementation of a compassionate case management response to disasters known as Stay Connected.

Hilbig is a member of the Governing Council of Care for Elders, the Houston Community College Adult Education Advisory Committee, and the Pastoral Council for All Saints Catholic Church. She is the Past President of the Houston Area Association for the Education of Young Children, former Board Chair of the Texas Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, and former member of the Executive Committee for the Texas Early Care and Education Coalition. She is a 2005 graduate of Leadership Texas, in 2006 was named Alumni of the Year for the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work, and in 2008 received the Lifetime Commitment to Children award from the Houston Area Association for the Education of Young Children.

Hilbig is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of St. Mary's Dominican College in New Orleans, and obtained her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Houston. She is a Licensed Master Social Worker.

Vicki Hitzhusen, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Vicki Hitzhusen joined Neighborhood Centers as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in November, 2011. She is a Certified Public Accountant and has provided financial management and leadership to organizations in a wide variety of industry sectors, including healthcare, higher education, oilfield services, manufacturing, technology and non-profit organizations during her 30-plus year career.

In her role as CFO, Hitzhusen is charged with bringing business acumen and leadership to all finance, treasury, procurement, compliance and accounting functions. Her focus is to continue the agency’s legacy of preserving and protecting the integrity and reputation of Neighborhood Centers’ finances. Alongside the senior management team, Hitzhusen is also charged with ensuring that Neighborhood Centers has the resources to continue to sustain its growth and relevance in building vibrant communities and keeping our region a place of opportunity.

Most recently, Hitzhusen served as Senior Vice president and Chief Accounting Officer of US Oncology, prior to its acquisition by McKesson Corporation in 2010. Previously, she served in a financial leadership role for a publicly-traded company in the technology sector. Hitzhusen began her career with Arthur Andersen LLP and served the accounting profession in that role for 25 years, ultimately as a partner for more than 15 years. During the past ten years, Hitzhusen’s financial leadership has broadened to include enterprise risk management, corporate governance and strategy.

Hitzhusen has been committed to community service throughout her career. She is currently serving as a volunteer and officer for several non-profit organizations, and is excited to add Neighborhood Centers’ mission to her focus.

Hitzhusen is a graduate of the University of Nevada. She and her husband, Bill, a healthcare executive, have two daughters.

Karim Kafray, Vice President of Fund Development
Karim Kafray joined the Neighborhood Centers team in September 2010. In his role as Vice President of Fund Development, he oversees major gifts, corporate and foundation relations, and annual giving programs.

Kafray is a 13-year market-analysis and business-development professional whose expertise has generated profitable results in the private sector and garnered generous donations at various non-profit organizations.

Prior to joining Neighborhood Centers Inc., Kafray served as development director for non-profit Child Advocates, Inc., where, for seven years, he championed volunteer initiatives and led development efforts that annually garnered more than $3.5 million in private cash donations, and continually exceeded revenue objectives. His earlier career included customer-relationship management and project management at Accenture (formerly Andersen Consulting), where he ranked as a top consultant among the 75,000-personnel organization. He served also as expansion development officer for a $34 million-capital-campaign project at Texas A&M 12th Man Foundation.

Kafray holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, small business and entrepreneurship major, from Texas A&M University. He and wife Saima live in Houston.

Rene Solis, Vice President of Emerging Public Initiatives
Rene Solis was named Vice President of Emerging Public Initiatives for Neighborhood Centers Inc. in 2009. In that role, he manages the Public Sector Solutions division as well as the agency’s disaster recovery program Stay Connected.

Previously, he was Director of New Business Development for Public Sector Solutions and developed opportunities for the design and implementation of effective human services programs for other non-profit agencies and government organizations. Under his direction, the division grew from managing one child care contract, which served 13 counties, to four contracts serving 46 Texas counties and totaling more than $145 million annually. Currently, the Public Sector Solutions Division serves as Financial Aid Payment Contractor for Workforce Solutions – Gulf Coast Workforce Board, and as Child Care Service Contractor for the Coastal Bend, Deep East Texas, and Rural Capital Area Workforce Development Board areas.

Through the Stay Connected program, Neighborhood Centers provides a compassionate response to both the material and emotional needs of people who have been affected by natural disasters such as hurricanes. In 2009, more than 17,000 people were connected with services and resources to assist them in the long-term recovery process.

Solis’ experience also includes service as the Chief Financial Officer for the YWCA El Paso Del Norte Region. He began his career with the YWCA in 1991 and held positions there as Child Care Services Administrator and Child Care Services Finance Supervisor, managing the child care subsidy program for the Upper Rio Grande Workforce Area.

Throughout his career, Solis has worked with many regional partnerships and has successfully secured and managed contracts with funding sources including school districts, United Way of the Texas Gulf Coast, and the City of Houston.

A native of El Paso, Solis earned a BBA in Accounting from the University of Texas at El Paso. He is married and has a son.