VISALIA, CA- Proteus, Inc. is pleased to announce the confirmation of Dr. Michelle Engel-Silva as the company’s new Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Engel-Silva was announced as the official CEO on Friday, September 9th at the Proteus, Inc. 55^th Anniversary Gala. On October 2021, Ms. Engel-Silva was named Interim CEO after former CEO Robert Alcazar’s departure.

Ms. Engel-Silva has worked for Proteus, Inc. for 27 years, first coming to the organization as a Vocational Instructor in 1995, followed by stints as a Program Manager and Organizational Development Specialist. In 2005 Ms. Engel-Silva was elevated to Chief of Corporate Relations and Human Resources Officer and in 2016 she was selected Director of Operations before her appointment as the Interim CEO.

“Ms. Engel-Silva brings with her 27 years of an array of hands-on experience within the organization, a wealthy educational background, and a host of professional certifications that have prepared her well,” Proteus, Inc. Board Chair Armida Espinoza said. “She is well known and respected not only throughout the four counties that Proteus serves but she is well connected at the state and national level.  Furthermore, over the course of roughly a year, Ms. Engel-Silva has served as interim CEO during which time, the organization has continued to thrive, meeting or exceeding many of its goals and objectives without skipping a beat.”

Ms. Engel-Silva received her Ed. D Educational Leadership from the University of California, Davis Dissertation Title: “The Role of Distributed Leadership in High Quality Educational Organizations.” She also received her Master of Arts Curriculum and Instruction from California State University, Bakersfield and has her Bachelor of Arts in Communications and International Relations from Lewis & Clark College.

“Michelle Engel-Silva has been a part of the executive team of Proteus Inc. well over 17 years now,” Espinoza said. “During this time, she has worked with all aspects of the organization from human resource, finance, education, energy, foster family agency, and farmworker services.  In addition, because of her involvement with the development of the strategic plan and budgetary work she fully understands the short and long-term goals and objectives as set by the Board of Directors.  Selecting Michelle Engel-Silva ensures that Proteus Inc. will continue to serve our communities with a seamless transition.”

Proteus, Inc. is a non-profit, community-based organization with over 55 years of experience serving farmworkers and other low-income residents in the counties of Fresno, Kings, Kern, and Tulare. Some of the programs Proteus, Inc. offers include adult basic and vocational education, job training, employment-related services, family self-sufficiency, energy programs, and other human services programs aimed at helping individuals and families.  Proteus, Inc. is also a California Award of Performance Excellence (CAPE) award winner.