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University of Texas at El Paso

2009

Articles 1 - 30 of 44

Full-Text Articles in History

Interview No. 1535, Armando Alvarez Oct 2009

Interview No. 1535, Armando Alvarez

Combined Interviews

Armando Alvarez was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. Alvarez played for the El Paso Patriots soccer team for three years, after turning down a scholarship to SMU. After working odd jobs around El Paso, Alvarez moved to Arizona to attend Collins College and became a graphic designer. He then found employment with different small glass companies such as Kraft Quality Glass, then moved to commercial companies. Alvarez states the main difference between large and small companies is the attention to detail. This is why he opened a small business in order to pay more attention to detail. Viva …

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The Japanese Revolutionaries: The Architects Of The Meiji Restoration, 1860-1868, Dana Kenneth Teasley May 2009

The Japanese Revolutionaries: The Architects Of The Meiji Restoration, 1860-1868, Dana Kenneth Teasley

Student Papers (History)

Scholars have offered many conflicting interpretations of the Japanese Meiji Restoration of 1868, but few have put forth a comprehensive analysis as to the nature of the protagonists and the motivation of those who initiated this revolutionary movement. Although historical interpretations of the Restoration and its heroes have ranged from a romantic and generalized theory of economic struggle to focused studies of individuals whose motivations were singular, the true character of the samurai revolutionaries behind the Restoration is the issue here. Of those samurai who, acquired knowledge of Western civilization and technology, took part in the Restoration, and witnessed the …

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Interview No. 1233, Antonio Nuño May 2009

Interview No. 1233, Antonio Nuño

Combined Interviews

Mr. Nuño talks about his family and what his life was like growing up; he later married, and when he was roughly twenty years old, he and his wife moved to Mexicali, Baja California, México to be with her family; he began crossing into the United States to work without proper documentation, but shortly after he obtained a bracero contract in 1949 with the help of family friends; later, he had to go through the contracting process in Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, where he was stripped, medically examined and deloused; he explains that he paid bribes to go through the process …

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Interview No. 1543, Julio Cesar Viramontes Mar 2009

Interview No. 1543, Julio Cesar Viramontes

Combined Interviews

Julio Cesar Viramontes was born in a small town in Mexico around Fort Hancock, Texas. Viramontes attended Cathedral High School in El Paso but did not graduate. He was introduced to the garment industry when he began working at Supreme Laundry. Viramontes was able to purchase his own Laundromat in Canutillo while still working at Supreme Laundry. He also had to opportunity to purchase a Supreme Laundromat in central El Paso, so he became the owner of two El Paso Laundromats. Viramontes also began washing blue jeans for El Paso companies after hours. The Laundromat then became an industrial cleaner, …

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Interview No. 1635, Sheldon Hall Mar 2009

Interview No. 1635, Sheldon Hall

Combined Interviews

Although Sheldon Hall (b. 1917) grew up in Ohio and lived most of his early years there and later, in Snyder and Van Horn, Texas, he became a pivotal figure in the preservation and recording of El Paso’s Spanish colonial history. After a childhood spent in Columbus, Ohio, Hall attended college, earning a degree in Investment Management. Before he was able to use his education, however, the United States entered World War II, and the United States Army called upon him to join its Army Air Corps, where he worked first as a test pilot on A-31 bombers and then …

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Interview No. 1634, Granville M. Green Mar 2009

Interview No. 1634, Granville M. Green

Combined Interviews

As one of the “greatest generation,” Granville “Bill” M. Green witnessed first-hand many of the twentieth century’s historic events, including the Great Depression, World War II, and the country’s explosive post-war growth. He reminisces about his experiences working on the ground floor of the nascent airline industry, as well as El Paso’s early auto sales and banking businesses. Born in 1916 in Chicago, Illinois, Green had a rosy childhood, but the Great Depression forced him in 1936 to leave Northwestern University before graduating after his father lost his job. Fortunately, Green managed to secure a position the very next day …

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Interview No. 1541, Carlos Gándara Mar 2009

Interview No. 1541, Carlos Gándara

Combined Interviews

Carlos Gándara was born and raised in El Paso, Texas. As a child, Gándara had paper routes and collected bottles for extra money. Gándara was introduced to selling office products when he became a driver for BPSI (Business Products and Supplies Inc.) He moved to different office supply stores but credits BPSI for his formal training. Glen Powers was his selling mentor and motivated Gandara to become a better salesman. Gándara recieved professional manager experiance and was the manager at Struges Office Supplies for two years. He was then employed by a national office supply chain and laid off. He …

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Interview No. 1542, Oscar Venegas Mar 2009

Interview No. 1542, Oscar Venegas

Combined Interviews

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 …

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Interview No. 1539, Juan Bárcena Mar 2009

Interview No. 1539, Juan Bárcena

Combined Interviews

Juan Bárcena was one of 7 children born and raised in El Paso, Texas. His family immigrated from Mexico and settled in central/south El Paso. He graduated from Cathedral High School and attended East Texas High School before joining the airforce. Bárcena created his company ABA Labels printing inc which creates labels for all industries servicing the El Paso and Juarez area. He created this business at the age of 40, after her long term job began laying off people. Bárcena has 50 years of printing experience, now he specializes in creating food labels and computer printing. Through an SBA …

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Interview No. 1536, Richard Castro Feb 2009

Interview No. 1536, Richard Castro

Combined Interviews

Richard Castro was born in Del Rio, Texas to two hard working immigrant parents. Castro remembers his mother being a seamstress and working late into the night in order to make her quota. His father owned his own construction business and would give his son business advice of never putting limitations on yourself. Castro was also influenced by his brother who attended college. Even though Castro faced challenges in school, he attended and graduated from Texas State University. Castro became a teacher but did not make enough money, so he had to take on side jobs in order to make …

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Interview No. 1538, Teresa Gándara Feb 2009

Interview No. 1538, Teresa Gándara

Combined Interviews

Teresa Gándara was born and raised in Central El Paso, Texas. She attended various catholic schools and graduated from El Paso High School. She credits her catholic education for helping her through school. Even though her parents did not approve of her going to college. She cleaned houses, was a house painter, and a life guard throughout her college years. These jobs helped her to pay rent and basic needs. Gándara received her bachelors and master’s degree from the University of Texas at El Paso. While attending school, Gándara met her mentor Connie Gamboa who taught her how to channel …

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Interview No. 1534, Gary Porras Feb 2009

Interview No. 1534, Gary Porras

Combined Interviews

Gary Porras, founder of Garick Electric Group, was born in Camargo, Mexico on March 17, 1949. He grew up in that same city and started to work on his parent’s farm at the age of 5. Later they went to Chihuahua, Mexico where he studied elementary school and worked as a collector and delivery boy. He wanted to be a missionary so he attended a seminary during his middle school years and only stayed there for two years and decided to leave this life because he did not agree with many of the beliefs taught there. Then he remembers that …

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Interview No. 1531, Roberto Torres Feb 2009

Interview No. 1531, Roberto Torres

Combined Interviews

Roberto Torres, owner of the eponymous certified public accounting firm, here shares his experiences both as a successful professional and El Paso business owner. Born in El Paso in 1951 to Gustavo and Carolina Torres, young Roberto was strongly influenced by his father’s entrepreneurial aspirations. After graduating from Jesuit High School, Torres attended the University of Texas at El Paso, earning an accounting degree in 1974. Gaining valuable experience, Torres spent many years working for large accounting firms. Throughout his early career he learned to understand the field’s unique climate and perfected his both his accounting and interpersonal skills. In …

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Interview No. 1532, Joe A. Rosales Feb 2009

Interview No. 1532, Joe A. Rosales

Combined Interviews

Joe A. Rosales grew up in El Paso, Texas on the 1100th block of Missouri Street, which he calls “the barrio”. His father was a carpenter from Durango, Mexico and his mother was from Chihuahua, they had a total of 10 children including Joe. Rosales was a graduate of El Paso High School in 1957, the same year he opened his own concreate company. All throughout high school Rosales considered himself and entrepreneur, from collecting bottles, having a newspaper route, and washing cars. Since his father owned his own concreate business, Rosales learned business values and practices from his father. …

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Interview No. 1530, Alejandra Chávez Feb 2009

Interview No. 1530, Alejandra Chávez

Combined Interviews

As both a young woman and a hispanic restauranteur, Alejandra Chávez has beaten the odds with her successful El Paso restaurant and catering business, Thyme Matters. In this interview, she recounts her childhood, education, and early career, and ends with advice for aspiring entrepreneurs in general and restaurant owners in particular. Born in Houston, Texas, in 1977, Chávez moved with her family to El Paso at the age of three. Both her father, a physician, and her mother, a journalist, emigrated from Mexico and, although neither initially spoke English, they managed to succeed in this country while modeling a strong …

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Interview No. 1529, Raymond Palacios Feb 2009

Interview No. 1529, Raymond Palacios

Combined Interviews

Raymond Palacios relates his experiences in becoming a successful hispanic businessman and current owner of two thriving car dealerships. Born in Houston, Texas, in 1960, Palacios credits much of his strong work ethic to the influence of his stepfather. Although his family remained poor, through sheer hard work his stepfather managed to support them. Thinking that college was reserved for wealthy white people, Palacios dreamed instead of joining the Marines. It was not until his senior year of high school that he realized that he had as much capability as his anglo classmates, and when he applied to the University …

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Interview No. 1528, Alfredo Borrego Feb 2009

Interview No. 1528, Alfredo Borrego

Combined Interviews

Alfredo Borrego, owner of Alco Machine Tool and Steel, Inc., surmounted considerable challenges in order to establish his business. He shares the nature of those challenges, his early life growing up in El Paso, and his advice for new entrepreneurs. Born in 1961 to Hector Borrego and Francisca Zuñiga Borrego, Alfredo learned the value of hard work early on as his father demanded that he accompany him on his job as a pool table/bowling alley mechanic. After graduating from Burges High School in 1979, Borrego began working in a Juarez maquiladora, but by 1990 found himself unemployed after being laid …

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Interview No. 1524, Ricardo Villarreal Feb 2009

Interview No. 1524, Ricardo Villarreal

Combined Interviews

Ricardo Villarreal parlayed the knowledge he gained working as an electrician for the United States Navy during the Vietnam War into several successful El Paso businesses. Under the umbrella of Villarreal and Sons Enterprises, a company he began twenty-five years ago, he and his family now operate Villarreal and Sons Electric, Alpha Tech ELP, Alpha Tech C.E., and Greengo Alternative Energy. In this interview, Villarreal remembers his early experiences working as a busboy for El Paso’s Grigg’s Restaurant. After landing the job at the age of thirteen, he so impressed the owner with his work ethic that within a month …

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Interview No. 1523, Rick Hernandez Feb 2009

Interview No. 1523, Rick Hernandez

Combined Interviews

Rick Hernandez overcame considerable odds to start his freighting company, Mustang Express, Inc. He relates how he capitalized on his experience as a third-generation truck driver, his sheer will and determination, and his family’s unconditional support in order to build his trucking line into one of El Paso’s foremost minority-owned companies. Growing up in the central and south side of El Paso, Hernandez attended Ysleta High School, graduating in 1978. Immediately after graduation he married his high school sweetheart, Laura, and began a family. Realizing that his job flipping burgers would no longer serve, Hernandez enlisted in the armed forces, …

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Interview No. 1525, Mario Montes Feb 2009

Interview No. 1525, Mario Montes

Combined Interviews

In this interview, Mario Montes, founder of Urban Associates, recounts his early years growing up in El Paso as the grandchild of Mexican refugees, his experiences as a young man in the United States Army, his education at Texas Western College (now the University of Texas at El Paso), and his recipe for business success. Born in 1931, Montes, along with his six siblings, were raised by his grandmother while both parents worked. In spite of the cattle-ranching wealth his grandparents enjoyed while residing in their home state of Chihuahua, in 1910 the Mexican Revolution forced them to flee across …

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Interview No. 1509, Hector Barragan Feb 2009

Interview No. 1509, Hector Barragan

Combined Interviews

Hector Barragan founded the Pipo Academy of Hair Design in El Paso, TX; he is from Segundo Barrio in El Paso; he began cutting hair after leaving Segundo Barrio, learned it from his parents and brothers that were barbers on Colon St.; His mother is from Puebla and father from Chihuahua; describes working with his brothers and learning importance of sanitation and technique. Mr. Barragan recounts working for well-known barber Mr. Alonso Cole and the mentorship he provided in technique and the business aspects of running a barbershop and barber supply store; states Mr. Cole’s consistency and salesmanship made him …

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Interview No. 1537, Basilio Silva Jr. Feb 2009

Interview No. 1537, Basilio Silva Jr.

Combined Interviews

Basilio Silva Jr. is one of ten children, was born in a mountain village in Chihuahua, Mexico. Silva migrated with his family to El Paso, Texas to find employment. Silva was placed in a vocational class because he did not speak English. He faced racism and was called names while in high school, but turned the negative experience into drive for success. He also says his father instilled work ethic in him at a young age. He also worked with his brothers and sister to provide additional income for their family by finding odd jobs. Through a local program called …

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Interview No. 1522, Mamie Salazar-Harper Feb 2009

Interview No. 1522, Mamie Salazar-Harper

Combined Interviews

Successful businesswoman Mamie Salazar-Harper began her life in Victoria, Texas, as one of eight daughters born to Manuel and Julia Salazar. Claiming that her mother’s strong work ethic and her father’s entrepreneurial spirit gave her and her sisters the tools they needed for success, Salazar-Harper worked her way up from a position as the Beeville, Texas, ColorTyme store manager, to the Rio Grande Valley regional manager for ColorTyme, and finally as the sole owner of the El Paso franchise. In this interview, Salazar-Harper shares her experiences as a woman and a Mexican-American entering into the business world. In addition, Salazar-Harper …

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Interview No. 1517, Miguel Guerra Feb 2009

Interview No. 1517, Miguel Guerra

Combined Interviews

Miguel Guerra describes his background as a native of El Paso and how he established his practice, Total Orthotic and Prosthetic Solutions, Incorporated. He was born in El Paso on May of 1969. While his mother died when he was three years old, he lived with his father who was a self-employed renter of six apartment units. His father’s business endeavors encouraged him to become his own boss; he was also weary of experiences working for managers at fast food places such as Jack in the Box, Weiner Schnitzel, and Baskin Robins. Working at Baskin Robins, however, allowed Mr. Guerra …

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Interview No. 1518, Susan Guerra Feb 2009

Interview No. 1518, Susan Guerra

Combined Interviews

Susan Guerra, born in El Paso on August 1970, describes her upbringing and management of her husband’s practice, Total Orthotic and Prosthetic Solutions, Incorporated. Her father worked for Channel 9 El Paso and then later worked as an apartment manager; Her mother was a secretary who passed away when Susan was only five years old. She attended El Paso High and graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso with a nursing degree in 1993. She helped to start her husband’s practice, which provides prosthetic, artificial limbs as well as orthotic braces for their patients. Their office opened in …

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Interview No. 1520, Rudolph Miles Feb 2009

Interview No. 1520, Rudolph Miles

Combined Interviews

Rudolph Miles was the president and founder of Rudolph Miles Customhouse Brokers, Inc. in El Paso, TX; he was born in El Paso in 1920; attended Lamar Elementary and El Paso High; could not attend college due to finances so took correspondence courses and vocational school in accounting; describes his parents, his mother was a homemaker from Mexico, his father was from Yuma, AZ and worked for American Smelting and Refining Company; spoke Spanish at home and learned English at school. Recounts his first accounting job with J.W. Chambliss that did construction contract work, later worked for El Paso Building …

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Interview No. 1515, Tanny Berg Feb 2009

Interview No. 1515, Tanny Berg

Combined Interviews

Tanny Berg, born in Israel on May 1948, is a native of El Paso who graduated from UTEP with a degree in business. His parents were Jack and Sarah Berg who operated a novelty business called Jack Berg Sales that was established since 1952 during the Korean War. The family business thrived due to its proximity to Juarez, Mexico. Berg notes that Mexico’s protectionist economy, which placed heavy tariffs on goods imported from the U.S., encouraged Mexicans to enter El Paso to buy U.S. goods that were not available in Mexico. His family spoke Spanish with their patrons, housekeeper, and …

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Interview No. 1516, Maria Antonietta Orrantia Feb 2009

Interview No. 1516, Maria Antonietta Orrantia

Combined Interviews

Maria Antonietta Orrantia was born in El Paso, Texas on August 1957. She was the youngest of her three other male siblings. Her mother was from Jerez, Zacatecas, Mexico and her father from Juarez, Mexico were they met. She grew up and studied her high school in Juarez. Later she earned a BA in Psychology from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), got married and went to Guanajuato, Mexico and almost accomplished an MBA. After that she returned to UTEP and took non-degree courses in marketing. Orrantia recalls that her paternal grandmother started a small restaurant in downtown …

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Interview No. 1533, George R. Saenz Feb 2009

Interview No. 1533, George R. Saenz

Combined Interviews

George R. Saenz was born and lived in south El Paso, Texas. Through a childhood of divorced, poverty, and moving around from El Paso to Juarez, Saenz found strength through his mother. He began a paper route in order to gain extra income. Saenz joined the Navy and realized that receiving a check from the VA was not enough. He enrolled at the University of Texas at El Paso and graduated with a degree in mass communications. Moving from odd job to odd job was not enough, so Saenz began a career with Farmers Insurance. After working there for five …

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Interview No. 1513, Antonio Rico Jan 2009

Interview No. 1513, Antonio Rico

Combined Interviews

Raised in Juarez and El Paso, Antonio Rico describes how his upbringing contributed to the establishment of his business, Electric Systems Engineers, Incorporated (ESEI). Rico attained his Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from UTEP despite some difficulties resulting from having attained his K-12 education in Juarez and some struggles to improve his English-speaking skills. He was drawn to engineering under the prospects that it was a “career of the future.” His current business, ESEI, provides IT services, telecommunications, networking design implementation, and project management. He was encouraged to start his own firm based on his experience working in telecommunications in …

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