David Adame no longer in charge of Chicanos Por La Causa, interim head named
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An interim president has been named to lead Chicanos Por La Causa, a statewide community development organization based in Phoenix, and one of the most well-known and influential Latino advocacy groups in the Southwest.
Alicia Nuñez, the organization's chief financial officer, is now the acting president and CEO.
"We have full confidence that she will help lead CPLC into a new chapter of success," said Delma Herrera, CPLC's board chair, in a statement Wednesday.
The organization was previously led by David Adame. He joined CPLC in 2008 and became president and CEO in 2015.
CPLC Board President Delma Herrera said in a statement on Friday that CPLC's board of directors accepted Adame’s resignation upon the expiration of his existing contract.
Earlier Herrera said that Adame resigned to "pursue other opportunities."
"David’s contributions to CPLC will continue to make a lasting impact on the organization and in the communities we serve for years to come. We appreciate his commitment to CPLC during his tenure and wish him continued success in all of his new endeavors," Herrera said in Friday's statement.
A search for a new executive will begin shortly, she said.
"We remain committed to CPLC’s vision of empowering lives in underserved communities across the country through its education, housing, health, economic development, and advocacy efforts," Herrera said.
Adame could not be reached for comment.
The organization was formed in 1969 to fight discrimination against the Mexican-American community and was inspired by civil rights leaders Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez, according to its website.
The organization has offices in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico and Texas, and serves almost one million people a year, the website said. CPLC employs nearly 2,000 people.
CPLC owns Prestamos, a lending company that had been under investigation by the U.S. Small Business Administration in relation to Paycheck Protection Program loans given out by the federal government during the pandemic.
John Merigan, a lawyer who represents Prestamos, said the lending company's practices were scrutinized as part of a wide review of lending companies involved with the PPP loan program.
The SBA review concluded that Prestamos was in compliance with government regulations, Merrigan said.
"There never was an investigation of Prestamos. There was a review of whether they were in compliance with regs during the PPP, and the conclusion was that they were cleared to go forward and resume performance of their mission in the SBA lending programs as they had before," Merrigan said.
Through CPLC, Merrigan provided an email from the SBA confirming that Prestamos remains in good standing with the federal government.
"Earlier this year, SBA reviewed a number of lenders that were involved in the PPP Loan Program to determine their compliance with regulatory requirements. Prestamos was included in this review," states the email from Susan E. Streich, an SBA director.
"This will confirm that Prestamos remains a lender in good standing with SBA, with authority to participate in SBA's Community Advantage Program, Microloan Program, and Paycheck Protection Program," Streich said.
CPLC announced Friday that Prestamos has received a $65 million award of New Markets Tax Credits from the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Community Development Financial Institutions Fund. The credits are used to attract private investment in low-income communities.
Prestamos provides capital to businesses and economic development projects in highly distressed, low-income communities in Arizona, California, New Mexico, Nevada, and Texas.
Daniel Gonzalez covers race, equity and opportunity. Reach the reporter at daniel.gonzalez@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-8312.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: David Adame no longer in charge of Chicanos Por La Causa
