The chief executive of the Dallas-area company D & M Leasing, Micheal Albert “Mike” Hernandez III has decades of experience in the vehicle leasing industry. In addition to running a successful business, Mike Hernandez III focuses on philanthropic work and supporting nonprofits such as the Cameron County Education Initiative (CCEI).CCEI recently partnered with Workforce Solutions Cameron to develop a pre-apprenticeship construction training program in Cameron County, Texas. With enough funding to help 25 people become job ready, the program will teach basic skills for using hand and power tools, reading blueprints, and completing required measurements and math equations on a construction site. Students can opt to receive training in first aid and forklift driving depending on their job choice.The pre-apprenticeship construction training program is funded by a $50,000 Texas Industry Partnership grant through the Texas Workforce Commission, along with a matching donation from CCEI. To learn more, contact your local Workforce Solutions office or visit twc.texas.gov.
Michael “Mike” Albert Hernandez III has led D & M Leasing in Dallas, Texas, as chief executive officer since 1984, and parent company Hernco, Inc., since 1990. Beyond his work as an executive, Mike Hernandez III supports community groups, such as CCEI in Brownsville and the Texas A&M Foundation.The impact a Texas A&M Foundation donation can have on a student's life cannot be overstated. Financial aid has the potential to free students from the responsibilities associated with part-time jobs and related stresses, thereby allowing individuals more time to study and pursue character-building extracurricular activities.Contributions can be made to an annual scholarship fund or established as an endowed gift, ensuring future learning opportunities in perpetuity. When making a donation, individuals may elect to specify a particular major or field of study they would like to support. Contributions can also be directed to students from a certain geographic region or to students enrolled in either graduate or undergraduate programs.Endowed scholarships are particularly impactful at Texas A&M, as the foundation makes sure to invest endowed funds in a manner that ensures optimized growth with minimal risk to the principal. Only earnings are distributed through various or select scholarships, guaranteeing continued financial support to future generations of Texas A&M students.
Micheal Albert “Mike” Hernandez III is the chief executive officer of the Dallas-area company D & M Leasing. A native of Brownsville, Texas, Mike Hernandez III supports numerous nonprofits focused on improving quality of life for underserved residents in Cameron County, including V3 Army for the Good.V3 Army is a community organizing initiative that aims to spur substantial change in governmental institutions in South Texas. It accomplishes its mission by thoroughly vetting the ethics of candidates for office and ensuring that essential public services reach those in need within Cameron County. The organization is led by Jose Angel Gutierrez. In addition to his work as a community organizer, Mr. Gutierrez is an attorney, licensed to represent clients in matters before the Texas Supreme Court and federal courts in Texas in the Northern and Southern Districts. The recipient of a three-year grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to document the civil rights history of racial minorities in Texas, he is also known for founding the Mexican American Youth Organization and the Mexican American Unity Council. In 2014, Mr. Gutierrez was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Dallas Peace and Justice Center.
Founder of community development group OP 10.33 and chief executive officer of D & M Leasing in Dallas, Michael “Mike” Hernandez III is an inspiring business professional and benefactor of various nonprofit organizations in Brownsville and Cameron County. Mike Hernandez III established the Cameron County Education Initiative to offer debt-free education and career preparation programs that will benefit students as they enter the job market.The Cameron County Education Initiative (CCEI) is the primary driver of OP 10.33’s objective of providing affordable education to students in need, offering various programs in areas related to medicine and construction technology. To qualify for admission to CCEI, students must present either an official high school transcript, an acceptable high school diploma, a GED certificate, or foreign high school documentation. Students may also qualify by providing a copy of the curriculum of their homeschooling or a Wonderlic Basic Skills Test result with a minimum verbal score of 200 and quantitative score of 210.The CCEI admission procedures consist of an interview with an admissions representative followed by a tour of the school and a meeting with a financial officer. The admissions representative will facilitate completion of the enrollment agreement and other required forms to officially accept the student’s application. Visit http://www.myccei.org/ to learn more about the programs offered.
Born in Brownsville, Texas, Micheal “Mike” Albert Hernandez III serves as the chief executive officer of Hernco Inc. and D & M Leasing in Dallas. After reading a Houston Chronicle article ranking Brownsville as the poorest city in America, Mike Hernandez III founded OP10.33, a 20-year project dedicated to supporting projects that advance education and provide job opportunities to the residents of Cameron County. Through OP10.33, Mr. Hernandez has committed to donating $10 million to various projects in Cameron County for the first 10 years. Guided by his mission, he intends to emphasize the four main aspects of the project.1. Education and TrainingCameron County Education Initiative (CCEI) was established to provide postsecondary education and career training to the residents of Cameron County and South Texas. CCEI offers three programs in construction technology, medical billing and coding, and medical assistance. CCEI will use the seed funding from OP10.33 to grant tuition assistance to students.2. Job CreationThe OP10.33 the project requires a combination of five competitive factors to achieve its goals for job creation and economic stability. The five factors include leadership and collaboration, workforce skills, reliable and cost-effective infrastructure, capital availability, and entrepreneurial culture. The project will track and measure its success by monitoring the overall economic viability of the region in terms of per capita income, poverty rate, and net asset valuation per capita.3. Civic EngagementOP10.33 works on empowering the residents of the Rio Grande Valley to perform their civic duties. This is done by encouraging and assisting eligible residents in becoming registered voters and exercising their rights during elections.4. Social ServicesOP10.33 partners with different segments of the community such as churches and nonprofit organizations that are active participants in the health care profession, schools, arts and media, government, and private organizations to improve Brownsville and Cameron County residents’ overall quality of life.
Micheal (Mike) Albert Hernandez III has made his mark in the business community as Chief Executive Officer of D & M Auto Leasing. In addition to running a thriving business, Mike Hernandez is a committed philanthropist and the founder of OP-10.33 in Brownsville, his hometown.
Focused on promoting economic growth in Cameron County, OP-10.33 takes its name from the phrase “land of opportunity by October 2033,” which expresses the organization's mission. In 2013, Brownsville was named America's poorest city by the Houston Chronicle. OP-10.33 set out to change that through comprehensive efforts to stimulate the economy and promote education.
OP-10.33 provides services in areas such as food and access to phones and computers for those in need. The organization collaborates with insurance companies and healthcare providers to supply services to people without insurance.
In the field of education, OP-10.33's efforts include the support of trade schools and training programs. The organization also backs political candidates of any party that will further its mission.
Micheal Albert “Mike” Hernandez III graduated from Texas A&M University before embarking on a career that has included leadership positions with D&M Leasing in Dallas, Texas. Outside of his professional life, Mike Hernandez III supports nonprofits and organizations in his hometown of Brownsville, Texas, and the surrounding communities, including the V3 Army.Based in Cameron County, Texas, V3 Army is dedicated to supporting the citizens of the region by driving governmental change. In addition to vetting and endorsing political candidates that support its goals, the organization hosts food drives and other community outreach programs. V3 Army was founded by Dr. Jose Angel Gutierrez, a longtime academic and community activist. Originally from Crystal City, Texas, Dr. Gutierrez holds a Ph.D. from the University of Texas, Austin, and a law degree from the University of Houston. For many years, he taught political science at the University of Texas, Arlington, where he founded the Center for Mexican American Studies. He is author or co-author of 14 books. Over his long career, Dr. Gutierrez has stood out as a champion for humanitarian values and social justice who helped lead the Chicano Movement and co-founded influential groups such as the Mexican American Youth Organization. Since then, he has become familiar to the nation as a frequent guest on national news programs, where he has debated extremists from across the spectrum. Dr. Gutierrez retired from teaching in 2015 and turned his attention to community organizing and grassroots activism through organizations such as V3 Army. In 2016, he volunteered for the presidential campaign of Bernie Sanders.
