Profiles of Success: Manny Vela

HARLINGEN – We often hear of people being given “keys to the city.”

Manny Vela was given the “key to success” as he grew up with parents who placed a premium on education.

“My father attended college here locally and went on to go to law school at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio,” said Vela, 53, a 1981 graduate of Harlingen High School.

Vela, a lawyer by training, is currently the CEO of the Valley Baptist Medical System.

Early in his career, he practiced criminal defense and civil law with his father, Moises Vela.

The elder Vela, a towering, authoritative, and amiable fellow, has retired from law.

He also served as a Cameron County judge for many years, and Vela Middle School is named after him.

“Growing up, he was a John Wayne type figure,” Vela said. “Big man, full of integrity, full of character, great role model.”

His mother Mary Jo also set a good example.

“My mom received most of her education here locally,” he said.

She attended what was then Texas A&I University-Kingsville. It’s now called Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

He couldn’t say enough about his mother, who taught public school in the elementary grades for more than 35 years.

With two well-educated parents at home, it seemed a foregone conclusion they were destined for success.

“They laid a phenomenal foundation for my brother and my sisters and myself,” he said. “The expectation with us wasn’t whether we were going to college but where would we go and what would we study.”

His three sisters followed in their mother’s footsteps and became teachers.

Manny Vela and his brother Moises Vela Jr. both attended law school.

Success seems to run in the family. Vela’s brother, Moises “Moe” Vela Jr. is the president and CEO of The Vela Group LLC, a global business development consulting firm. The firm has clients in the U.S. and Latin America.

Their cousin is U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, (D-Brownsville),

Manny Vela graduated in 1985 with a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

He immediately entered the University of Texas School of Law and earned a doctor of jurisprudence in 1988.

He practiced law with his father until 2003 when he became general counsel for the Valley Baptist Health System. He became CEO for Valley Baptist Health System in March 2012.

From criminal defense attorney to CEO of a hospital might seem a bit of a stretch, but not necessarily. Not if you know what you’re doing.

“I would have to say that the folks who hired me to do my current roles have faith that I can lead an incredibly, well-equipped team in the direction that we want to go,” he said.

That direction is to offer the highest quality of care in the safest environment possible, he said.

“The roles that are necessary for a successful health care system to operate are obviously complex and require a deep knowledge in multiple areas,” he continued.

“I think the key for my team is making sure I am surrounded by people that are experts in their particular areas.”

At the end of the day, however, it all comes back to Mom and Dad.

“I like telling people my parents inspired me not only to aspire professionally but also to get involved in our community,” he said.

“My parents inspired me, my wife and children motivate me on a daily basis to continue down that path. The future we’re trying to build is not only for our children but for their children as well.”