Oscar Venegas

Interviewer

Homero Galicia

Project

Hispanic Entrepreneurs Oral History Project

Summary of Interview

Oscar Venegas was born in Juarez, Mexico and obtained dual citizenship in the United States and Mexico. Venegas is a graduate of Burges High School, here he was influenced to become financially successful. He enrolled at The University of Texas at El Paso and graduated with a degree in civil engineering. After graduating, Venegas started working for local businesses, R.E. McKee and Jordan & Nobles. In 1982, Venegas decided to go into business for himself instead of working for McKee and Jordan & Nobles. With previous knowledge of sales and project managing, Venegas began his own construction company. He was unable to get an SBA loan in El Paso, so he moved to San Antonio, Texas for a loan. Business did not go as planned because there was little to no profit for his company. He decided to move back to El Paso in order to make a larger profit. He began work with John Noble contractors and then invested in Urban Associates, Inc. with experienced business partners. Venegas’ next business venture was his own business called VEMAC Inc. With experience, he was able to become more successful than before. This time Venegas had a more organized business plan which covered the company overhead and guaranteed profit by bonding and taking on more projects. Venegas recalls the first part of his career where being a hispanic was a challenge, but the market and population shifted to where he feels it is an advantage. Venegas stays active in the community by trying to hire UTEP graduates and is involved in the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and labor unions in El Paso.

Date of Interview

3-10-2009

Length of Interview

62 minutes

Tape Number

No. 1542

Transcript Number

No. 1542

Length of Transcript

32 pages

Transcriber

Vanessa Pantoja

Interview Number

No. 1542

Terms of Use

Unrestricted

Comments

Transcript is a Draft copy

Download

Included in

Oral History Commons

Share

COinS