SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 538
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 Senate of the State of Texas, 88th
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 from the
Texas Senate.
LaMantia
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 10, 2023.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate