NEPTUNE CITY, NJ, January 13, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Kenneth Manuel has been included in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.
During the early stages of his career, Mr. Manuel worked as a Senior Probation Officer for the Monmouth County Probation Department. He also served as President of the Monmouth County Probation Officer's Association. In recognition of his outstanding work, in 1990, he was named the "Probation Officer Of The Year" by the Probation Association of New Jersey (PANJ). Over the years, he gained valuable expertise in law enforcement and criminal justice, which resulted in his appointment, in 1992, as a Probation Officer for the United States District Court of New Jersey. Three years later, he was appointed to serve as an Instructor for the New Officer Training Program as a Supervision Specialist with the Federal Judicial Center. He was later promoted to the position of Senior U.S. Probation Officer, Drug & Alcohol Treatment Specialist (DATS Officer). In July 2012, he retired from federal service at the age of 53.
Mr. Manuel is a lifelong member of St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Asbury Park. Throughout much of his adult life, he volunteered a great deal of his time as a community servant and activist, assisting those who are less fortunate, through such agencies as the West Side Community Center of Asbury Park; the Juvenile Mentoring Program (JUMP) of the Monmouth County Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization; and the Alliance for a Drug Free Asbury Park, of which he was a founding member. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors for numerous community based organizations, including: The Professional Advisory Committee of the Monmouth County Board of Alcohol and Substance Abuse; The Center of Love, a nonprofit substance abuse agency; The Monmouth County Board of The Black United Fund of New Jersey; and The Monmouth and Ocean Counties Aids Task Force. He is a current member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees.
Having studied political science in college and understanding the nature of politics, he never intended to run for a political office. However, in 2015, after relocating to North Carolina, Mr. Manuel realized that the only way to effect positive change in his new environment was to run for the office of mayor, for the Town of Woodland, NC. Although he was a newcomer to the community, having resided there for only 18 months, he won the election and became the first Mayor of African-American descent to be elected to the position in the town's 133 year history. He, along with his wife, Pattie and other members of the community, established a nonprofit organization called Woodland Community Outreach, Incorporated. Its purpose was to improve the community spirit of the local area, by creating special events and recreational programs for the citizenry.
An expert in his field, Mr. Manuel holds a bachelor's degree from Rutgers College in New Brunswick, NJ. While studying at Rutgers College, he was recruited to be a sports writer for the Rutgers Daily Targum. In his Junior year, he was selected to be an Associate Sports Editor. In so doing, he became the first Editor of African-American descent to hold a position of editor for that newspaper.
Mr. Manuel considers himself an academic scholar and was featured in Who's Who Among American High School Students in both his junior year (1975-1976) and senior year (1976-1977) at Neptune High School. In May 2004, he was inducted into the Neptune High School Hall of Fame for his various accomplishments and community service work. In 2005, he was named "Big Brother of the Year" by the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
The cornerstone of Mr. Manuel's success lay in his family and upbringing. His parents taught him to respect himself and others; to hold education in the highest regard; and to remain driven to be the very best in all things. In the coming years, he aims to enjoy his retirement and spend more time with his family.
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Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. Today, Who's Who in America® remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the world. Marquis® now publishes many Who's Who titles, including Who's Who in America®, Who's Who in the World®, Who's Who in American Law®, Who's Who in Medicine and Healthcare®, Who's Who in Science and Engineering®, and Who's Who in Asia®. Marquis® publications may be visited at the official Marquis Who's Who® website at www.marquiswhoswho.com.
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