Mando Martinez

As a native of Weslaco and Hidalgo County, Representative Martinez is the youngest of three children educated through the Weslaco Independent School System. In 1998, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg. He also holds a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree, which he earned in 2020. In 1998, Representative Martinez was hired by the City of Weslaco Fire Department EMS, where he served as a Firefighter and Licensed Paramedic. In 2000, he joined Valley Aircare as a Critical Care Flight Paramedic to provide pre-hospital treatment transporting sick and injured patients both Nationally and Internationally to facilities providing a higher level of care. He later became an Advanced Coordinator through the Texas Department of State Health Services, allowing him to provide a Self-Study "In-House" Emergency Medical Technology program for EMT and Paramedic training at a lower cost for fire departments across the Rio Grande Valley. During this time, Representative Martinez became a Master Firefighter and holds a Master Level 3 Fire Instructor certification allowing him to host and certify firefighters. Representative Martinez has been a small-business owner for over 10 years. Representative Martinez is also a private pilot and enjoys flying the friendly skies.