Brian Angus, who served as chief executive officer of the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission for nearly a decade before his retirement in 2019, is returning to head the financially struggling community services agency while the commission’s board searches for a new CEO.

His appointment as interim CEO was announced Tuesday by the Fresno EOC in a one-page news release that also thanked the outgoing CEO, Emilia Reyes, for her service.

Angus said in the news release that he is “honored to return during this transition to help ensure the agency remains strong, focused, and committed to delivering impactful services. Together, we will continue empowering individuals, supporting families, and working toward fighting poverty in Fresno County.”

Reyes went on indefinite leave in November, about the same time that Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula, D-Fresno, one of the Fresno EOC commissioners, raised questions about the agency’s spending and said the Fresno EOC is “hemorrhaging” money.

Another longtime Fresno EOC official, Salam Nalia, also has returned to the agency. Spokeswoman Jose Moreno III confirmed to GV Wire that Salam Nalia, the chief financial officer from 2001 through 2020, is the interim deputy CEO.

Big Deficit on Books

A financial report provided to the commissioners in December for the agency’s finances through September showed a $3.3 million deficit. According to the report, the deficit was primarily because of an inability to renegotiate multi-year agreements for Food Services and the Local Conservation Corps to cover rising costs of transportation, utilities, and goods and foods.

Arambula had previously appointed his mother, Amy Arambula, to a seat on the commission but in 2024 appointed himself when she decided to step down. Eight of the 24 Fresno EOC commissioners are appointed by elected officials, including Arambula representing the 31st Assembly District.

He has announced his plans to run for the Fresno City Council seat now held by Miguel Arias, who is being termed out in 2026.

Reyes was replaced initially by the chief operating officer, Michelle Tutunjian.

The Fresno EOC news release said Reyes’ contract was concluded on Dec. 31. In December the commission had voted unanimously for a “7.5% adjustment to the CEO’s compensation,” raising her base annual salary to $227,862 and funding her health savings account.

Longtime Fresno Anti-Poverty Organization

The Fresno EOC is one of the nation’s oldest Community Action Agencies and was created during President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty.

The goal of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 was to obtain equality of opportunity in education, employment, health, and living conditions for every American.

Fresno EOC was one of 900 Community Action Agencies created through the act and was founded in 1965.

Today the agency employs nearly 1,100 full- and part-time staffers and has an annual budget of $134 million. It has more than 30 programs that include Head Start, School of Unlimited Learning, Local Conservation Corps, food services, Women Infant and Children (WIC), and energy services. The agency serves more than 100,000 Fresno County residents annually.