Biography

Internationally recognized innovator and leader in the field of youth services and community development for 34 years; an innovator and leader in the Youth Services Field, Mr. Augustine Chris Baca has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Youth Development, Inc. (YDI) since 1973. In addition, Mr. Baca has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of YES Housing, Inc. since its inception. As Board officer and executive of two non-profit organizations serving Central New Mexico, Mr. Baca oversees and manages numerous program budgets totaling 30 million dollars and full-time staff totaling 600. YDI is a social service agency that services 18,000 plus children, youth, and families on a yearly basis. YES Housing, Inc. is an entrepreneurial non-profit that builds, owns, and manages apartments with emphasis in affordable markets. Nationally recognized as an expert in youth development, juvenile justice, social service design, public administration, public policy, personnel management, and budgeting, Mr. Baca is an experienced non-profit executive with a record of over 34 years in proven accomplishments and degrees in Economics and Public Administration. He has also been a Kellogg National Leadership Fellow, an Hispanic Health Fellow, a panel member for the National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council, and a Presidential Appointee to the Commission on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. He has taught at the Anderson School of Management at the University of New Mexico.