Manuel is a New Mexico native, raised in Wagon Mound, NM.  He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from New Mexico State University.  He is a State Farm Insurance Agent, and has been working in Financial Services, Investments and Insurance for the past 10 years.

Manuel spent 10 years in the United States Marine Corps and has lived in seven of the 50 states as well as traveling extensively throughout the US.  He has also spent some time overseas, particularly in Japan.

He is married to Audrey, his wife of 22 years.  They have three children: Jessica (21), Matthieu (18), and Christina (15).  Manuel, Audrey, and Chrissie currently live in Santa Fe, NM.  Their two older children attend NMSU in Las Cruces, NM.

Manuel is very involved in the Española community.  He is a member on several Boards, namely Española Valley Chamber of Commerce; United by Friendship, and has been a member of the Española Rotary Club for three years.  He has served as Secretary and Treasurer for the Club and is President-elect.

Manuel enjoys all sports and spends his free time with his family as well as running and reading. He also enjoys cooking.  He speaks English and Spanish and is now hard at work learning Portuguese for the GSE trip to Brazil.