Mel Katz & Phil Blair

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Mel Katz is the Executive Officer for Manpower Staffing Services of San Diego, Inc. Mr. Katz has been one of San Diego’s most respected business leaders since 1977 when he purchased the local Manpower franchise with Phil Blair. Manpower in San Diego is the largest Manpower franchise in the United States.


Beyond Manpower, Mr. Katz’s devotion to both economic development and civic improvement has earned him an impeccable reputation in the San Diego community. He is an outspoken advocate of child literacy and K-12 and higher education, and has spearheaded social initiatives for both issues. He currently serves as the chair of the San Diego Public Library Foundation, which raises funds for the 36 libraries in the City of San Diego and is raising funds for the new Central Library in San Diego opening July 2013. He also serves on the advisory Board for San Diego Organizing Project. Mr. Katz has served as chairman for the San Diego Library Commission, San Diego Workforce Partnership, San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, and the San Diego Convention Center.


Mr. Katz has been recognized as a Junior Achievement Hall of Fame Laureate and has received the Sam Walton Business Leader Award, the LEAD San Diego’s Visionary Award for Regional Stewardship, the Press Club Award for the Insights program, the Corporate Citizenship Director of the Year award from the Corporate Directors Forum, and as an outstanding business member earning the Exemplary Award for Business Community Service by the Downtown San Diego Rotary.


Manpower has won awards from the Urban League, the San Diego Business Journal, Better Business Bureau and the Association of Fundraising Professionals for diversity and ethics, Best Places to Work and Corporate Philanthropy.


Mr. Katz received a B.S. degree in marketing and business administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

 

 

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Phil Blair, a Del Mar resident, is one of San Diego’s most visible and respected business leaders. Since 1977, he along with partner Mel Katz, have built Manpower San Diego into the
largest Manpower franchise in the United States with annual revenues exceeding $100 million.


Manpower provides quality employment opportunities, training and workforce solutions. It has become San Diego’s fourth-largest local for-profit employer, providing approximately
2,500 jobs daily through its six countywide branches.


Blair’s book, Job Won!, serves as a guide to acquire and refine the tools you need to find a job and develop a career you are passionate about.


An often-quoted employment industry expert, he appears frequently in local business publications, on television and radio. Blair is a long-time employment commentator, a
professional speaker on employment and workforce transition issues and is the author of Strategies for Success, a career resource guide.


As an active member of the San Diego community, Blair currently serves on the board of directors for several regional organizations including: the San Diego Regional Chamber of
Commerce; the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce Benefits Corporation; LEAD San Diego; the United Way, and Board Chair of the San Diego Convention Center Board. He is also
a member of San Diego Rotary Club 33.


Previously, Blair was on the board of directors for the American Red Cross – San Diego/Imperial Counties, the Centre City Development Corporation, and the Holiday Bowl.
He also served as Fifth District Councilmember of the San Diego City Council, and was commissioner for four years to the Fair Political Practice Commission in Sacramento, Calif.

 Born 1949 in Great Bend, Kansas

 1971 – Oklahoma State University earned Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration

 Married to Catherine Blair since 1971, has two sons Trevor and Peter

 1977 – Co-Owner of Manpower San Diego, Riverside, New Mexico, Spokane franchise

 One of San Diego’s most visible and respected business Leaders

Current Leadership Positions in Community, Civic and Professional Organizations:

San Diego Convention Center Board, Chair

 LEAD San Diego Executive Board Member

 San Diego Rotary, Member since 1980

 Connect Board Member

 The United Way Executive Committee, Past Chair

 Herb Klein Forum Founder

 Manpower Insurance Company, Board Member

 The Lincoln Club of San Diego Member, Past Board Member

 World War Two Marauders Association Board

 San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Board and Management Committee
Member

Past Leadership Positions in Community, Civic and Professional Organizations:

 San Diego City Council, 5th District Councilmember

 San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Chair – 2008

 Manpower Franchise Owners Association, Chair

 NTC Foundation for Arts and Culture, Past Chair and Board Member

 Fair Political Practice Commission (FPPC), Commissioner – four years

 Planned Parenthood, Chair

 San Diego Workforce Partnership, Chair

 Centre City Development Corporation, Chair

 San Diego Red Cross, Board Member

 ConVis Board and Executive Committee Member

 Council on Literacy Advisory Committee, Board Member

 Angels Foster Care Advisory Committee, Board Member

 SDSU College Advisory Board

 San Diego Symphony, Board Member

 Holiday Bowl Board Member

Notable Contributions and Awards:

Phil Blair Day in San Diego – Contributions to Our City – 2008

Director of the Year Corporate Citizenship – Corporate Directors Forum – 2007

“50 People to Watch” – San Diego Magazine – 2007

Most Admired CEO – San Diego Business Journal – 2007

Best Places to Work – San Diego Employers Group – 2006

Civic Tribute Award – Copley YMCA – 2005

Outstanding Philanthropic Corporation – Association of Fundraising Professionals – 2005

Best Places to Work – San Diego Employers Group – 2005

Most Admired Company – San Diego Magazine – 2004, 2003

Urban League Diversity Award – San Diego County Urban League – 2004

Business Hall of Fame – Junior Achievement – 2002

Torch Award Market Place Ethics – Better Business Bureau – 1998

Manpower-Sponsored Board Rooms:

Urban League

Red Cross

United Way

High Tech High

NTC-Liberty Station

Senior Community Centers

San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce

For additional information about Phil Blair, please click on:  http://www.job-won.com