Pub. 60 2019-2020 Issue 6

14 Governor Abbot Appoints Sgt. Manuel “Manny” Ramirez to Serve on the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles’ Board S gt. Manuel “Manny” Ramirez was appointed during fall 2020 by Governor Greg Abbott to serve on the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles’ board until Feb. 1, 2021, an appointment which is expected to be extended. The depart- ment’s responsibilities include grants to reduce vehicle burglaries or theft, regulating vehicle dealers and register- ing vehicles. Manny Ramirez is a native Texan who was born and raised in the heart of Fort Worth. He is a steadfast Chris- tian and married to the love of his life, Fabiola Ramirez. Together they have three beautiful daughters, Sofia, Mia, and Penelope. Manny is an Alum- nus of W.E. Boswell High School, has earned a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Tarleton State University, and an MBA from Texas Christian University. He has dedicated his life to serving a higher purpose and has protected and served our community as a police offi- cer for over a decade. Manny has served as a Patrol Officer, Gang Enforcement Officer, Hostage Negotiator, Robbery Detective, and Sergeant. Manny currently serves as the President of the Fort Worth Po- lice Officers Association, where he was elected to represent over 1,700 sworn police officers. Manny man- ages one of the largest public safety associations in the nation and is responsible for the direction of the Fort Worth Committee for Public Safety. In 2019, Manny’s leader- ship was critical in solving the 1.6 billion Fort Worth pension short- fall. Through those negotiations he helped craft a solution that set the fund on a path to sustainability without any negative impact on our taxpayers. Fort Worth is the only major city in Texas that succeeded in solving its pension crisis on a local level. Manny fights for taxpayers on the local, state, and national level, ensuring that public safety remains a top priority for our elected lawmak- ers. Manny has owned and operated a successful statewide construction business and knows that capitalism is the engine that drives our country. Manny's blue-collar upbringing taught him the value of hard work and dedication and more impor- tantly taught him that if you want something you have to work for it. His experience managing the opera- tions of a successful business has taught him the importance of fiscal responsibility. Manny is dedicated to working hard to create a better fu- ture for his children, his community, and his country. Manny is a member of Texas Chris- tian University’s Chancellors Ad- visory Council and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. He also serves as a member of the Salvation Army DFW’s advisory council and a board member for the Assist the Of- ficer Fort Worth foundation, which helps officers and their families when they are sick, seriously injured or die. He also serves as a Republi- can Party Precinct Chair in Tarrant County Precinct 4. In 2018, the Combined Law Enforcement Agen- cies of Texas awarded him their Of- ficer of the Year Award. In 2019 The Fort Worth Business Press listed him in its 40 Under 40 awards. You just started serving on the TxDMV board. What are your thoughts about this new venture? The Texas DMV is a very large and dynamic state agency. The executive leadership team is highly functioning and has articulated a clear vision and mission for the success of the agency. The policy making authority of the Texas DMV board is broad, and the business is critical to ensuring every Texan receives quality service. I am excited by the opportunity to contribute to the effective and ef- ficient leadership of such an impor- tant state agency. Combined annual revenues generated through the Texas DMV are over $1.8 billion. The agency uses less than 10 percent of that amount to fund its operations. The balance is remitted back to the state to help fund various initiatives and projects including roadway and infrastructure improvements. Do you think your experience is typical of board members? I believe that having fiscally conser- vative and pragmatic leadership in