Vallejo High Alumnus Manny Angel: A Career Built on Creativity, Service, and Vallejo Pride

As the media service specialist for the City of Vallejo’s Information Technology Department, Manny Angel plays a critical role in ensuring residents can access and participate in the democratic process. From streaming City Council meetings to deploying new translation technology, his work is a combination of storytelling, public service, and community connection.

Angel’s path was shaped early on by a handheld camcorder, a supportive family, and teachers at Vallejo High School who recognized his creativity long before he understood where it could take him. His passion for film and media first took hold when he picked up his father’s camcorder as a kid, staging small productions with friends. That early interest grew when he made a unique request as a sophomore at Vallejo High. Instead of delivering a verbal book report on The Great Gatsby, he negotiated with his English teacher. He asked if his group could create a movie instead. Mrs. Atkins agreed. The group created Importatori—a sepia-toned, 1930s mobster-inspired short film complete with costumes, scripted dialogue, and a busy weekend production schedule. The 20-minute movie earned laughs, applause, and, most importantly, an “A”.

For the rest of high school, Angel and his classmates transformed verbal reports into film projects whenever possible. “It helped us get around our natural fear of public speaking,” he said with a laugh.

The creative freedom Angel experienced at Vallejo High was only one part of what shaped him. He credits Mr. Anderson for photography fundamentals, Mr. Lund for teaching color theory through painting, Ms. Tharpe for instilling confidence, and Mr. Pollak for expanding his vocabulary. Working in the main office under the supervision of Mrs. Kee and Mrs. Gaul contributed to Angel’s development of administrative and organizational skills.

“My time at Vallejo High was fruitful, educational, and helped transform who I am today,” Angel said. “Without those fundamentals, I’m not sure where I would be.”

Angel moved away in 2008 to study film at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, but returned in 2015 when Visit Vallejo offered him a position. The shift from film industry work to community-focused service reflected a broader shift in his life priorities, including a desire to start a family, the changing media landscape, and the need for more stability, namely, health benefits that are not always available to artists. But a deeper motivation drew him home.

“The main factor, and one that still drives me to this day, is my genuine desire to support my hometown,” he said. “These last 10 years have provided life-changing opportunities.”

Today, Angel ensures that public meetings remain accessible and transparent for every Vallejo resident. He manages livestreams through Zoom, YouTube, the city's website, and local cable channels, providing real-time access to City Council meetings, boards, and commissions. His team recently deployed AI-powered translation and captioning, allowing viewers to listen or read in Spanish or Tagalog during meetings.

“These advances allow us to stay on the cutting edge while supporting a community as diverse as ours,” he said. “It brings me great joy when someone visits the chambers for the first time and asks how to get involved. These interactions allow me to connect with the community directly and share my enthusiasm for all the activity our city is actively engaged in.”

From his early jobs, including taking orders at Tortilla Grill and assisting older customers with cell phones at RadioShack, to his current role supporting civic engagement, Angel’s work has been guided by a commitment to service.

“I enjoy serving my neighbors and colleagues,” he said. “It fills my cup when I can solve an issue that makes someone’s day easier.”

As a Youth Leadership Vallejo collaborator and Leadership Vallejo alumnus, Angel now helps students understand the inner workings of city government. He especially enjoys showing them the behind-the-scenes processes he once found intimidating.

“I get to share my passion for technology and watch students take on what I actively avoided at their age—public speaking,” he reiterated.

Angel offers targeted advice for students based on their interests. 

For community-minded students, “Get involved with local government. Be an advocate for change—it’s never too early.”

He encourages students to explore Participatory Budgeting (PB) Vallejo, where residents as young as 13 can vote on or submit project ideas. 

For creative students, “Embrace technology. AI has changed our landscape—use it as a tool in your creative process, planning, scheduling, and problem-solving.” 

For everyone, “Be kind, be gracious, and respectful. You never know what doors may open when you step out of your comfort zone.”

Angel hopes that future VCUSD graduates will explore the world, gain new perspectives, and return with a renewed appreciation for their community.