Eddie Bocanegra, Nationally Recognized Expert in Community Violence Intervention, Appointed Chief Program Officer
Joshua Johnson, Acclaimed Workforce Development Leader, Becomes Vice President of Vocational Programs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Claire Gross, Sr. Manager of Public Relations
cgross@ceoworks.org | (646) 370-8292
New York, NY–April 15, 2026–The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) celebrates the appointment of two preeminent leaders in the criminal justice and workforce development spaces to top program leadership roles: Eddie Bocanegra and Joshua Johnson as the Chief Program Officer and Vice President of Vocational Programs respectively. Bocanegra will oversee all of CEO’s program services across 30 cities nationally and Johnson, who will report to him, will oversee programs across the Northern California, New York State and the Midwest regions.
Both positions are critical to ‘Opportunity 2030,’ CEO’s 5-year strategic plan to build the foundation of, and serve as a catalyst for, a united reentry system that will ultimately serve all 600,000 people returning from incarceration each year. To do so, CEO will expand from 12 to 20 states, reach 127,000 people annually, and secure $750 million in government investment by 2030.
“We have an incredibly ambitious road ahead of us, but I couldn’t be more confident in our ability to realize this vision with Eddie and Joshua’s leadership. They are renowned leaders in the field, with immense programmatic expertise, lived experience in the justice system, and invaluable drive for innovation,” said Sam Schaeffer, Chief Executive Officer of CEO. “I am incredibly grateful to have them by my side as we build toward Opportunity 2030, expanding our reach, strengthening our programs, and laying the foundation for a national reentry system that truly meets the scale of need.”
“9 years ago I visited CEO’s New York Office and I was blown away by their program and its impact,” said Eddie Bocanegra, incoming Chief Program Officer at CEO. “Now, coming full circle, it is an incredible opportunity to oversee the program nationally and serve alongside Sam and other incredible leaders as we set out to build the strong, united reentry system this country has always needed. During my career, I have led state and national efforts to change policies and systems that prevent people with records from accessing meaningful employment and leadership opportunities. I have seen firsthand the power of providing someone with work opportunities during the critical period right after returning from prison. Immediate income can make the difference between someone being able to eat, find shelter, and care for their families or returning to incarceration. I am grateful for CEO’s confidence in me to help lead this next chapter of ambitious growth and innovation.”
“My career has been defined by one focus: building systems that turn overlooked potential into undeniable performance,” said Joshua Johnson, Vice President, Vocational Programs. “That work is deeply personal. After my own incarceration, I experienced firsthand what happens when opportunity is intentional and aligned. This is why joining CEO matters to me. CEO represents that same commitment at scale. This is not about offering hope alone. It is about delivering structure, access, and belief in a way that allows people to rebuild, lead and dream bigger than they have ever dreamed. From signing my own apprenticeship contract in 2005 to leading state and national strategy, I’ve seen the power of these systems when they work together. I’m excited to support CEO expand that impact and open more doors for the communities we serve.”
Eddie’s career exemplifies the balance between steady, sure leadership and transformative innovation. His commitment to justice reform began as a congregational organizer with Community Renewal Society and since then he has held leadership positions in both civic and non-profit organizations such as Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s Commission for a Safer Chicago, co-chairing Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Public Safety and Accountability Commission, YMCA, and Noah’s Arc Foundation.
After expanding READI Chicago’s trauma-informed, cognitive behavioral therapy, and transitional employment model to reach men at highest risk of gun violence involvement, Eddie’s impressive career caught the eye of the Biden Administration. He became the Senior Advisor for Community Violence Intervention in the Office of the Assistant Attorney General in the U.S. Department of Justice. In this capacity, he provided counsel and leadership on the Community Violence Intervention and Prevention Initiative, a cornerstone of the Administration’s public safety strategy.
Overseeing CEO’s program nationally, Eddie will drive the design, delivery, and expansion of programs that open doors to opportunity and transform lives. In this position he will ensure CEO’s strategic vision and expansion is rooted in evidence, centered on the voices of participants, and laser-focused on meaningful outcomes.
Joshua is a nationally recognized workforce leader, speaker, and author whose work focuses on expanding opportunity for justice-impacted individuals and strengthening inclusive talent pipelines across the United States. Prior to joining CEO, he served as Wisconsin’s State Director of Apprenticeship, where he led one of the nation’s most respected apprenticeship systems and expanded pathways into high-demand industries. He has also held national leadership roles at Jobs for the Future and the National Association of State and Territorial Apprenticeship Directors. Joshua also served on President Biden’s Advisory Committee on Apprenticeship, helping to advance the national conversation around equitable registered apprenticeships.
As Vice President of Vocational Programs, Johnson will report to Bocanegra and oversee the Northern California, New York State and the Midwest regions, alongside Patience Lewis-Walker, who will continue to oversee the Southern California, South, and Mountain Plains regions. Together, they will lead the organization’s strategy to expand high-quality vocational pathways that connect returning citizens to sustainable careers.
Eddie and Joshua’s onboarding marks a milestone in CEO’s strategic plan. Their appointments comes at a pivotal moment for CEO as it builds a national reentry system, the likes of which the country desperately needs but has yet to create. Informed by their deep expertise and lived experience with the criminal legal system and workforce development, Eddie and Josh will shepherd CEO’s strategic vision to strengthen support for every person returning from prison.
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About the Center for Employment Opportunities
The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provides immediate, effective, and comprehensive employment services exclusively to people recently released from incarceration. CEO currently operates in 30 cities in 12 states and is dedicated to ensuring justice-impacted people have opportunities to achieve socioeconomic mobility. For more information, visit ceoworks.org.