Our People
Cesar A. Garcia, MBA, PMP®
Cesar A. Garcia is the Co-Founder and CEO of Vanguard Management Consultants and a seasoned executive leader with extensive experience in housing, business, and public administration.
Cesar's career includes pivotal roles at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), where he directed federal housing initiatives impacting over 69,000 Housing Choice Voucher units and 41,700 public housing units throughout New Jersey. He also served in HUD's Disaster Response and Recovery Leadership Cadre, leading various departmental responses to presidentially declared disasters nationwide. Recognized for his exceptional contributions, Cesar has received multiple awards, including the HUD Secretary’s Award for Exceptional Disaster Response and the U.S. Gears of Government Presidential Award.
Beyond his professional achievements, Cesar is actively engaged in volunteer work, contributing to organizations such as HOPE NYC and the Project Management Institute - New York City Chapter. His dedication to serving vulnerable populations and enhancing community well-being is at the core of his leadership philosophy.
Cesar is a Marine Corps veteran with over 10 years of Active Duty service under his belt. He holds both a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Public Administration from Long Island University's School of Business, as well as a Master of Science in Emergency/Crisis Management from the University of Southern California. He is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Six Sigma Green Belt, and Certified Specialist in Public Housing Management, reflecting his commitment to operational excellence.
You can contact Cesar directly at cesar@vanguardmco.com
Cephas Ward
Cephas Ward brings over 40 years of distinguished service with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), where he built a legacy of leadership in affordable housing, asset management, and community revitalization. Before retiring in February 2025 as a Portfolio Management Specialist, Cephas dedicated his career to advancing HUD’s mission—ensuring safe, affordable housing and essential services for underserved communities.
For more than two decades, Cephas served in the HUD Newark Field Office, where he played a central role in policy implementation and provided expert technical assistance to Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) across Region II. Earlier in his career, as Division Director of HUD’s Regional Accounting Division, he helped secure critical funding and resources for the region, applying his deep expertise in program development and financial management to drive impactful housing solutions.
Recognized nationally for his mastery of compliance and operational excellence, Cephas was frequently called upon to interpret REAC (Real Estate Assessment Center) scores, conduct Independent Assessments of PHAs, and deliver on-site technical training as part of HUD’s Troubled Agency Recovery Team. Among his most notable assignments was serving as Deputy Receiver for the Saint Croix Housing Authority, where he guided a complex federal receivership with strategic insight and a steadfast commitment to transparency and accountability.
Throughout his tenure, Cephas tackled some of the most challenging issues facing PHAs in New Jersey and nationwide, including projects in Puerto Rico, New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Florida. His work focused on strengthening governance, improving waiting list management, enhancing resident services, and advancing innovations in the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Today, Cephas continues to advise PHAs and housing organizations seeking innovative, results-driven strategies in program compliance, asset management, and organizational transformation. Guided by integrity and a deep passion for empowering communities, he remains a trusted advocate and thought leader in the pursuit of equitable, sustainable housing opportunities for all.