Manny Diaz
Perviously Served As:
Member of San Jose Planning Commission
Member of the Board of Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
California State Assembly Budget Committee leadership
Member of California State Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee
Member of California State Assembly Transportation Committee
Member of California State Assembly Local Government Committee
Member of California State Assembly Public Safety Committee
Member of California State Assembly Insurance Committee
Member of Santa Clara LAFCO
Vice-Chair of California Legislative Latino Caucus
Manny has a B.S. in Engineering (emphasis electrical). He began his professional career as a project energy engineer and manager for Pacific Gas & Electric Company where he performed technical energy conservation audits for major industrial and commercial customers and coordinated major utility relocation and co-generation supply projects.
He was the former President of the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers originally based in San Jose which is now a national organization dedicated to the advancement of underprivileged youth seeking a career in engineering and the sciences. Manny co-founded Manos Accelerator- a high-tech startup based in Silicon Valley working with Latino entrepreneurs wishing to start their own tech business.
Manny Diaz, a former San Jose City Councilman, and California State Assemblyman, has developed an excellent working relationship with many local/state policymakers throughout California. This includes the California State Legislature, the Governor’s administration, state agencies, county governments, local municipalities, local/state building industry, freight railroads, high-tech industry, high-speed rail authority, special districts, school districts, minority business chambers of commerce, local/state labor groups, and non-profit groups.
He has formulated and advocated for public policy in the areas of minority small business support, student financial aid and student success policies, affordable housing development, renewable energy, community building and revitalization, infrastructure, land use planning and permitting, public education, public transportation and goods movement, insurance, tribal gaming, environmental issues, public health and wellness, public safety, urban development, and water conservation and supply policies.
Manny helped create financing opportunities for local municipalities, this includes developing public-private partnerships that stimulate job development and retention, enhancing small business development, and promoting smart growth land use planning. He also advocated for reasonable goods movement environmental measures and freight railroad infrastructure enhancements and incentives. In addition, he successfully advocated for more state funding support for local transportation agencies, pushing for more public health and social services funding, and equitable public policies on natural resources/environmental regulation measures.
