Mr. Manuelito is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation and was born and raised in Tohatchi, New Mexico area on the Navajo reservation. He was educated in a Bureau of Indian Affairs boarding school, state public schools, and a private mission school through his elementary and high school years. Mr. Manuelito is also a veteran who served during the Vietnam conflict with the United States Marine Corps, and was honorable discharged in 1969. He presently resides in Tempe, Arizona with his wife Kathryn who has her PhD in Education and is a Professor at the University of New Mexico. They have three adult children, three grandsons and one granddaughter.

Experience

Mr. Manuelito has worked on, or near the Navajo reservation for most of his adult life. He has been in private business since 1977, his experience spans over 30 years in various facets of management and program planning, with extensive experience in working with Native American Indian Communities, both locally and nationally. Mr. Manuelito, through personal experience, understands that Native American communities require professional expertise, but more important is honesty and a respectful relationship with firms they do business with. He advocates that when Chuska conducts business on Native American soil, we consider ourselves guests of that Native American community. Loyal to his Native American heritage, yet progressive in his thinking, planning, and leadership, Mr. Manuelito brings a unique perspective in his interaction with Native American communities. His working style is centered on the K'e (pronounced "Keh", meaning respect in all relationships toward others and the environment.) K'e is the basic value in Navajo philosophy which supports and promotes harmony in life.