Name: Ian B. Bautista Title: President and CEO Organization: El Centro Inc. Contact Information: 650 Minnesota Ave. Kansas City, KS 66101 (913) 677-0100 www.ElCentroInc.com Target Businesses: Aspiring/Start-Ups; Established/Expanding Target Services: Financial, Technology, Education/Training, Facilities/Office Space
For most small businesses, a time comes for transition from founder to new leadership. This year, El Centro Inc. will gain first-hand experience that will help the organization better understand the growing pains of its small business clients.
On September 1, the not-for-profit organization announced that founder Richard A. Ruiz, who has led the organization since its inception in 1976, would transition to a part-time position as president emeritus, in order to pursue other business ventures.
The move comes as no surprise to new President and CEO Ian Bautista, who, in 2001, was hired specifically to evolve into this role. For the past three years, he has learned the ropes of the organization by serving as the deputy director, chief community development officer, and director of human services. And most recently, executive vice president and chief operating officer until the transition to president and CEO last month. “We have a solid legacy and foundation to build on, thanks to the vision of our founders and past leaders,” said Bautista. “However, we are not resting around to enjoy our past achievements. The best days of El Centro are still ahead of us.”
The $5 million operation primarily provides financial services to families. The goal is to create and sustain educational, social and economic opportunities for those in need. For example, they help unbanked customers locate financing to become homeowners.
El Centro also supports local small businesses. They offer low-cost, high-quality office space for entrepreneurs, non-profits and government agencies. They also offer financial training that is helpful to aspiring small business owners. Spanish-speaking entrepreneurs seek out their connections to help navigate such areas as incorporation and taxation.
“Our challenge is to garner the investment and support needed to make these opportunities happen,” Bautista said.
El Centro works with a variety of affiliates in the Kansas City area, including the United Way, National Council of La Raza and Heart of America Family Services. They also work with a statewide alliance to bring homeownership opportunities to more Kansans through the Federal Home Loan Bank and Community Housing Services, along with other programs.
Bautista leads a team of five vice presidents, and acts as chief strategic planner, resource developer and spokesperson for the organization. It’s a role he enjoys, especially as he sees the organization meet its goals, time and again.
“To see families growing, stretching and achieving their goals is the most inspiring thing to observe as we work with them,” Bautista said. “They are gaining control of their destinies, and it is reassuring to know that El Centro is one reason for this.”
Bautista has undergraduate and graduate degrees from Kansas State University, where he studied political science, Spanish and regional and community planning. Before coming to El Centro, he worked with the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation as a management consultant.
“I loved the work,” Bautista said. “But it is so much more meaningful to be back home, working for the community.”
Paula Peters is a freelance writer and the owner of Peters Writing Services Inc., which specializes in writing technical and marketing materials. She can be reached at (913) 485-4537, or .
