Maria “Charo” Mann has been Executive Director of the Women’s Business Center (WBC) since May 2008. During her tenure with the SCI/WBC Mann has led the effort in assisting over 1,200 individuals with business training of which 90% were women. In addition, she has been able to establish a very strong partnership with federal, corporate and local representatives in the community. She believes this networking ability is at the core of the Organization’s success – as this allows the Organization to leverage its resources. She also believes in making things happen as long as they are efficient, impactful and necessary.
While living in Arizona, Mann owned and operated her own business enterprise in Arizona. As a small business owner, she represented various high technology manufacturers in positioning their components along the maquiladora industry from California to Brownsville. It was here where she learned all the important attributes of a successful entrepreneur as well as some of the major challenges that these individuals face on a daily-basis.
Nonetheless, according to Mann, it’s really her family what keeps her going. She is married to Bret Mann and together they have their own Brady bunch of 5 children. She has 3 children (Ashley, Christopher & Daniela) and he has 2 children (Stephanie and Jennifer).
Ms. Esther Villarreal serves as the Center’s Administrative Assistant. She recently joined the WBC on September 2011 and assists with the essential administrative duties – bookkeeping, developing and submitting quarterly reports, preparing employee time records and maintaining personnel files. She also prepares purchasing requisitions and purchase orders and reconciles supplies when they’re received. Ms. Villarreal is instrumental in maintaining office operations.
Workstudy – Volunteers
Jose Enriquez – Business Research Assistant, Thalia Hernandez – Administrative Assistant, Maria Mann – WBC Executive Director, Marcela Salinas – Event Coordinator, Jocelyn Olmedo – Social Media Coordinator
