Brownsville, Texas, native Micheal Albert “Mike” Hernandez III heads D & M Leasing in Dallas. In addition to his business accomplishments, Mike Hernandez III supports anti-poverty and education initiatives including the Brownsville Scholars Program.Dedicated to increasing access to higher education for South Texas residents with low incomes, the Brownsville Scholars Program offers comprehensive financial assistance to attend Texas A&M University. In addition to a four-year tuition scholarship, the program provides stipends for internships and enrichment activities, as well as funds for travel costs, a fish camp retreat, and housing in the university’s “Living Learning Communities” dormitory.Identified as a “high impact” practice by the American Association of Colleges and Universities, learning communities like those at Texas A&M encourage students to build connections with people who have shared interests or backgrounds. With a focus on small group interactions and mentorship programs, these communities have demonstrated the capacity to increase student engagement and academic performance.
The chief executive of D & M Leasing, Micheal Albert Hernandez III has run the Dallas-Fort Worth based vehicle leasing company since 1984. Born and raised in Brownsville, Texas, Mike Hernandez III works to reduce poverty in economically depressed Cameron County.Through the political action committee OP 10.33, which aims to dramatically improve economic conditions in Cameron County by October 2033, Mike Hernandez III helped to establish the Cameron County Education Initiative (CCEI). CCEI offers vocational education and training to help residents prepare for in-demand jobs such as construction worker and medical assistant, encouraging economic self-sufficiency. CCEI offers both online training and a classroom facility. Located in Brownsville, the facility features computer and technology labs, tactile learning classrooms, and a student resource center, in addition to traditional classrooms and administrative offices. Ongoing funding for the program comes from workforce investment programs, corporate tuition reimbursement, and charitable donations. Tuition assistance is available for eligible students.
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.
