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nfortunately, this second business venture did not work out and Venegas returned to his home town of El Paso. In 2003 him and his son David, co-founded VEMAC. “Third time is the charm,” said Mr. Venegas in regards to the success that VEMAC proved to achieve. It was more than just charm that made VEMAC be one of the top best construction companies known both locally and at the national level.
By 2003 Venegas had 30 years of experience in the construction industry, by trial and error he had absorb what it takes to make it in the industry and what kind of tools are necessary to be taken as a serious contractor. “Companies look at what kind of work you have done in the past, if you have built something similar to what they are asking, and most importantly a general contractor must have a surety bond. The key is to have surety bound,” said Venegas. The first step after having a surety bond was to bid as a sub-contractor. This helped him build his company’s resume, get name recognition, and “get a piece of the pie,” as Venegas puts it. After bidding for a while as a sub-contractor VEMAC was ready to take the next leap and start bidding as a general contractor. Through attention to detail, immaculate work, and hiring the best team, VEMAC has won several awards throughout the years. They won the Zero Lost Time Achievement Award seven times; this means that VEMAC has over 487,000 man hours without an accident and they also won the Operation Reward Safety. VEMAC employs the only woman in Texas to hold a certification from the American Concrete Institute as a transportation inspector. VEMAC was the first company
to construct its building out of thin wall, 2 inches of concrete exterior. Another great achievement under their belt is to be part El Paso’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) a construction project for the Socorro Independent School District: Chester E. Jordan Elementary. The school will be a 77,168 square foot facility, built on a 24acre site. It will be considered a “Green School,” which will be the first of its kind in the El Paso area. One of the many features the school will have is a cistern, where it will collect rain and later use it for irrigation. “El Paso would benefit from being a little greener in certain projects such as energy efficient homes,” stated Venegas.
Venegas also serves as advisory director for BBVA Bank and as a board of directors in UTEP’s Department of Engineering. Venegas would like for younger generations to realize that the future holds a tough road but if they are willing to stick with it they will have a good future. The hardship of the road was eased by the love and support of his wife of 37 years, Martha Venegas. “I give a lot of credit to my wife,” expressed Venegas. Starting new businesses was scary; Oscar Venegas always knew he could go back and get a job with a secure income but he wasn’t about to give up on his dream. “Just cut the bridge behind you
Venegas is a P.E., professional engineer, it is the highest title to be held in the industry of engineering. It gives him the authority to put his stamp on a project to be built, with this, company’s see that VEMAC is backed up in any project they bid on and that it meets all the requirements for the project.
In 2012 Mr. Venegas was nominated by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and won Small Businessman of the Year. In 2008 VEMAC was named one of the top 100 fastest growing companies by Hispanic Business Magazine. “I was surprise when I heard I was nominated.” “I have been blessed and I like to give back to the community whenever I can,” said Venegas. He has supported United Blood Services, YWCA, and of course his alma mater UTEP. VEMAC remodeled the Sun Bowl football locker room at no cost to the school.
and look ahead to the future.” Venegas and his wife have two children Mary, who is in charge of VEMAC PR and David cofounder VEMAC. It is truly an inspirational story of the old cliché, “If at first you don’t succeed try again.” 29 l C&B