TITLE: Congratulating Manuel M. Vela on his service as president and chief executive officer of Valley Baptist Health System.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Manuel M. Vela on his service as president and chief executive officer of Valley Baptist Health System.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Manuel M. Vela stepped down from his positions as president and chief executive officer of Valley Baptist Health System on April 30, 2023, concluding an exceptional tenure with the organization that spanned more than 19 years; and WHEREAS, Mr. Vela first joined Valley Baptist Health System in 2003 and initially served as senior vice president and chief legal officer; in those roles, he was involved in a number of major corporate transactions by the health system, including its purchase of the Brownsville Medical Center and a joint venture with Vanguard Health Systems; in 2012, he became president and CEO and spent more than a decade guiding the organization and overseeing both Valley Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen and Valley Baptist Medical Center-Brownsville; and WHEREAS, Effective May 15, 2023, Mr. Vela is continuing his career as the vice president and chief operating officer of the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen, and his leadership and expertise is sure to serve the center well in the years ahead; and WHEREAS, A native of Harlingen, Mr. Vela earned his undergraduate and law degrees from The University of Texas at Austin, and he subsequently became a partner with his father, Moises V. Vela, in the Vela and Vela law firm; in all his endeavors, he enjoys the love and support of his wife, Amy; they are the proud parents of four children, Brianna, Manny, Thomas, and Esteban; and WHEREAS, Manny Vela has proven himself to be an effective champion of quality health care in South Texas, and he may take well-deserved pride in his outstanding record of achievement as he takes on the challenges and opportunities of his new role; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Manuel M. Vela on his service as president and chief executive officer of Valley Baptist Health System and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Mr. Vela as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Gamez Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1708 was adopted by the House on May 25, 2023, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House