Rafael J. Elizalde

Mr. Rafael J. Elizalde is a successful ACF Program Manager, with various federal grant programs. Rafael is focused on serving the critical needs of economically depressed, diverse ethnic populations nation-wide. Mr. Elizalde holds bachelor’s in science (Business, Education) and master’s in public administration degrees, from highly regarded-US-accredited, chartered universities. His graduate Thesis during his MPA degree (Univ of PR) was an advanced study in Collective Bargaining, Labor Relations in the Public Sector.  He is a former Presidential Management Fellow (PMF). Rafael is also a graduate from the American University Key Executive Leadership Program in public policy implementation. Rafael holds Federal Acquisition Institute (FAI) certified Project/Program Manager (P/PM) Senior Level III, Contract Officer Representative (COR) III and IT Core Plus Specialization Procurement Professional Designations. Rafael previously represented HHS as a Loaned Executive for the national Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). Mr. Elizalde have served through each level in public service (local/city, county/state, federal). Among others, Rafael’s former tenure include a stint at the Prince William County (Virginia) Public Library System, as the Customer Services Director, managing all 14 county/city building operation facilities, fleet, and staff, servicing the public in the northern Virginia capital area (second largest public library in the state).

Mr. Elizalde is a US Army veteran (Honorable Discharge, Secretary of the Army Medal Recipient), who Chairs ACF’s VETS L.E.A.D., the agency’s official employee organization that represents veterans, military, and their families. Until recently, Rafael was a board member of the HHS Hispanic Employee Organization (HEO), the national entity that represents Hispanic employees. He is a certified HHS-DAB labor mediator, and a former state-licensed teacher, trainer, fully bilingual (English/Spanish) skilled Hispanic American professional (Boricua!), who has years of experiences in local community boards, including as a commissioner, at national and local parks and recreation organizations. For about two decades, Rafael served as a volunteer-instructor, at multiple prison facilities throughout the US.

A member of ACF’s Emergency Response Readiness and FAI’s Contingency Contract Force, Rafael have been deployed during national emergencies. Recently, Mr. Elizalde was a team leader-manager/COR III, part of the HHS COVID-19 National Response Task Force, Testing and Diagnostic Work Group, ensuring the timely distribution, management and quality control of our nation’s testing and media pandemic national response, while keeping the emergency national stockpile supplied and ready. Rafael was also deployed to the Office of Refugee Resettlement Unaccompanied Children Program. Among others, Rafael assisted with emergency contracts, overall program management, UC shelter transitioning (EIS to regular sheltering, property leasing, purchasing, grants to contracts) and placing fundamentals in place for establishing a new ORR Program Management Office.

In his free time, Rafael enjoys spending time with his wife, family (grown-ups’ son, daughters), nietos, and friends, serving his local church, community, as well as playing various Latin percussion instruments/music.