Trevor Ware

Trevor Ware serves the Los Angeles Urban League as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Ware oversees the operation of LA Urban League's 4 publically funded WorkSource Centers; the operation of the League's 30 Head Start and State Preschool and associated facilities; and the management of the League's Information Technology function. Mr. Ware is responsible for all program related contracts including facility purchases and leases. Under Mr. Ware's leadership, policies and practices governing the LA Urban League and its employees are established and maintained. Mr. Ware serves as a member of the League's Executive Team supporting and reporting directly to League President, Blair Taylor.

Mr. Ware hails from a long line of public servants. After earning his PhD. From the University of Southern California and serving on the faculty of California State University at Northridge, Mr. Ware's father recently retired as Dean of Education from Mississippi Valley State University. Mr. Ware's mother, an accomplished musician and educator, developed curriculum for public schools in the State of Mississippi. Beyond their employment, the Ware's have long shown their commitment to community and civic engagement through a number of civic affiliations. From this example of educational and community excellence Trevor Ware acknowledge his responsibility to positively impact the lives of those most in need.

After graduating from the nationally ranked Olin School at University of Southern California with a degree in Electrical Engineering, Mr. Ware worked for a decade for Hughes Aircraft Company as a Member of the Technical Staff. His primary duties, which required a Secret Clearance from the federal government, included developing software tests for digital radar systems. Working in what was then the new field of object oriented programming, many of the software test and artificial intelligence algorithms Mr. Ware authored became models for software test systems.

While at Hughes Aircraft Company Mr. Ware was accepted into UCLA's prestigious Fully Employed Program at the Anderson School of Business. Mr. Ware completed the 3 year MBA program in 2 years with a focus in Operations and Entrepreneurship.

Upon leaving UCLA Mr. Ware served as Senior Management Consultant with Gemini Consulting based in New Jersey. While there, Mr. Ware provided leadership to consulting engagements for Fortune 50 companies including Shell, Union Carbide, Monsanto, Van Waters & Rogers and others. Leading teams of clients, Mr. Ware was instrumental in delivering substantial improvements in the areas of inventory management, customer service, and information technology. Mr. Ware implemented Gemini Consulting's first email system and personally trained over 200 employees. Mr. Ware was recruited to lead Gemini Consulting's Knowledge Management Center which served as a central repository for Gemini's client related information. Additionally, in the year Mr. Ware spent in charge of recruiting for Gemini Consulting he developed a keen ability to judge people which has served him well.

Desiring less travel, Mr. Ware left Gemini Consulting to become General Manager of ICD, a minority owned start-up focused on developing franchise concepts in underserved communities. While at ICD Mr. Ware was responsible for the evaluation, selection and operation of 4 retail outlets and the development of management policies governing the business. Mr. Ware was also instrumental in securing area development agreements with franchisors.

Immediately prior to joining the Los Angeles Urban League, Mr. Ware served as an internal consultant to Sempra Energy's Senior Vice President of Transmission and his direct reports. In this role, Mr. Ware was regularly called upon to provide research on a wide array of technical and business related issues. As his last project, Mr. Ware lead the development of Sempra Energy's General Rate Case for the Gas Transmission Department which is, essentially, a business plan for $100 million in capital and $100 million in operating expense which requires approval by the California Public Utilities Commission.

An accomplished musician himself, Mr. Ware currently serves as President of the Vision Cultural Organization where his business and artistic skills are in use working with the City of Los Angeles to revive the historic Vision Theater in Leimert Park. Mr. Ware has worked closely with the West Area Neighborhood Council and is a member of the Community Collaborative Committee established to ensure the availability of telecommunications options in, and administer funding into, underserved communities. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the World Stage Performance Gallery in Leimert Park.