After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Biology, Manny spent 9.5 years in the United States Navy as a Naval Aviator, LT, and 3 years in the Naval Reserve. While serving, he went back to school and received his MBA from Texas A&M Corpus Christi.
Manny immediately began working in the rail industry after leaving the military. He spent 5 years as the Southwest Region Sales Director for TrinityRail before becoming President of TransAmerican Transportation. He then ventured out on his own and started his own business in 2012 called eRail Commerce.
Jonas and Manny went to college together and were close friends. When Manny heard about The Jonas Project, he decided to get involved first and foremost to Jonas and help carry out his legacy in a meaningful way. He also firmly believes that helping empower our Nation’s veterans to create businesses in the private sector isn’t only a great way to give back to our community, but that our vets have highly valuable and transferable skill sets from the military that lend themselves to becoming successful entrepreneurs. “I truly believe in the Mission of the Jonas Project and it makes me feel good to help out fellow veterans,” says Manny.
Having been through the process himself, Manny understands what it takes to step into an entrepreneurial role. Now he wants to help other create their business strategy, business plan and then execute. He has great insight into what investors are looking for when searching for funding. Mostly, Manny wants to be there to coach and support other rising stars.
“The road of the entrepreneur is daunting and lonely and without the right support and advice, it is easy to fail. I want to make my mentees successful and help them realize their dreams.”
Manny lives in The Woodlands, TX.