julio vasquez, sr.

 

            In 2006, Julio Vázquez was appointed by Mayor Robert J. Duffy as Commissioner of Community Development.   As Commissioner, Mr. Vázquez supervises all City services related to zoning, buildings, real estate, comprehensive land use planning, housing and neighborhood initiatives.  This department also manages the City's approximate $16 million federally-funded Consolidated Community Development Plan Program. The Department of Community Development has an operating budget of $6,305,300 and 94 full-time employees.

            Prior to his appointment as Commissioner, Mr. Vázquez was President and CEO of the Ibero-American Action League, Inc.  Under his 13 year leadership, the agency had doubled its budget and programs, built the Ibero Family Preservation Center, and established one of the first charter schools in Rochester--Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School.  Mr. Vázquez served an additional 13 years at Ibero in community organizer positions as well as Assistant Executive Director.  Other careers pursued by Mr. Vázquez included: electrician trainee; grocery store operator; and Spanish teacher for the Rochester City School District. 

            Mr. Vázquez earned his Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Social Service Administration from SUNY Empire State College and a Master of Science in Education from SUNY College at Brockport. 

            Honors earned include: 
            - Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges (1978-79)
            - Kodak Brainpower Hall of Fame (1994)
            - Hispanic Heritage Award (1995)
- Executive of the Year of a United Way Agency/United Way of Greater Rochester (1996)
- Civic Medal Award in Social Services/Greater Rochester Metro Chamber of Commerce (1999)
           
            Mr. Vázquez presently participates in ten local boards including the University of Rochester Medical Center, YMCA of Greater Rochester, Lifespan, Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School, and the Ibero-American Investors Corporation. He has written and published various essays dealing with different community issues.