The Dallas 500 features the North Texas region’s most powerful leaders in 50 different categories. These leaders make the Dallas/Fort Worth economy tick. The publication covers information about the toughest challenges, strategies for success and personal lives of the selected leaders. Manetta was featured in the July 2019 issue of D CEO recounting her journey from Buenos Aires, Argentina to the U.S., and her eventual success as a technology entrepreneur.

“I am honored to be included as an influential leader for the North Texas region,” said Manetta. “The region was so welcoming to us when we moved our corporate headquarters from Edison, New Jersey to Plano ten (10) years ago. I am excited to be able to bring value and economic growth to this region. As a Hispanic, women-owned company in the technology industry, my team and I have made this our home and work hard each day to contribute by hiring and training individuals in the tech field. In addition, we work with several organizations focused on building a stronger diverse community where all can contribute and prosper.”

In 1998, Manetta founded Argent Associates which has grown into a multi-million-dollar technology firm that provides Value Added Reselling, Supply Chain Optimization, eCommerce Procurement, Network Engineering Design, Installation and Maintenance, Quality Assurance, Integrated Emergency Communications, Mobility Connectivity and Community Social Responsibility solutions. The company has created several leading-edge technology products providing interactive customer experiences and all-in-one multi-communications solutions for Fortune 500 corporations, government and enterprises nationwide. Manetta is also the founder of a joint venture, Asociar, that delivers Network Engineering Design, Installation, Testing and Maintenance services.

Manetta has received several awards over the past few years for her successful company growth and contributions to the area, including recently being awarded the 2019 Ford Mujer Legendria Award in Leadership by Ford Motor Company, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) 2019 Star Award, and the Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council’s Supplier of the Year – Class IV E Award.

Giving back to the community is nothing new to Manetta. She is very active on several boards regionally and across the country, including the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce, VisitDallas, Greater Dallas Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council, Women’s Business Council Southwest, and Tech Titans. In addition, she was on the board of her alma mater, Seton Hall. Manetta is a constant supporter of STEM programs, especially for those in underserved communities and speaks regularly across the country to youth and entrepreneurs about the influence of technology in our lives now and in the future.

Through all the obstacles and successes of entrepreneurship, Manetta continues to focus on doing more to impact our community. For North Texas that means a leader who is committed to building strong partnerships, skilled workers and diverse solutions in the years to come.

The Electronics Technicians Association (ETA International)  awards the prestigious certification of R56 Installer  to three Argent technicians:

• Tom Azydzik
• Jonathan Bober
• Daniel Uribe

The technicians successfully completed the workshop and passed the examination for the certification course. The certifications gained are now universally recognized for the credentials on the core concepts required in the installation of a communications site, based on the R56 industry codes and standards.   Only the top technicians are able to accomplish this feat! 

Daniel Uribe, Lead Field Technician at Plano, Texas based Argent Associates, credits the inaugural Capital One Bank’s “Future Ready Lab” internship experience for building his confidence and knowledge as he strives toward his educational and career goals. The program is designed to not only provide educational opportunities to participants, but also to highlight the value of meaningful high school internships for youths.

Uribe recently spoke at the NAF Next 2019 summit where he was named the 2019 NAF Alumni Award Winner. NAF (formerly the National Academy Foundation) advocates for improving education and development of the next generation of future ready employees in the United States through leadership, guidance and support programs, including paid internships.

Daniel Uribe, a graduate of Justin F. Kimball High School Academy of Engineering in Dallas, TX, participated in the NAF High School Intern Program powered by Capital One Bank.

The program worked with 20 high schoolers and divided them into four five-person teams charged to develop a stand-alone technology event for technology week. Students were required to design the event including workshops, agenda, floorplans, press releases, presentations, budget and more. Each team was mentored by Capital One associates as part of the “Future Ready Lab” program. Uribe’s team with its “What’s in Your Garage?” presentation was the winning team. The team highlighted the hi-tech world of driverless assisted cars being developed by Telsa, BMW, Mercedes and General Motors.

“The internship at Capital One’s Future Ready Lab not only taught me how to build out a major event for their tech week, said Uribe, “it also reinforced something that I learned at home and school: It’s really valuable to listen to others, especially people who are really different from you. No one has all the answers. Complex problems and important issues are solved by teams made up of very different players.”

Uribe’s advisors in high school encouraged him to participate in the internship program. It has paid off for him in a big way. He has a full-time job as lead field technician with Argent Associate, a wireless technology firm designing, engineering, installing and testing technologies that are transforming network connectivity, public safety and supply chains. He is currently attending El Centro Community College . Once he completes his Associate Science degree, he looks forward to attending the University of Texas in Arlington to obtain his bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.

“I think it’s critical for businesses to get involved in building out skills for the 21st century, said Monica Shortino, Senior Manager, Social Innovation at Capital One and moderator for the presentations. “Here at Capital One, we are incredibly committed to diversity in our workplace. We are looking for people who can work on a team and deliver first-class products, and that’s what we are asking of the interns.”

Partners in the overall push for meaningful paid internship experiences included NAF, Capital One Bank, United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USHCCF) and the University of Texas Arlington.

“USHCCF and its University Partnerships initiative focuses on building a College-to-Career pipeline between Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs) and corporate/industry leaders through education, access, and viable internships leading to future employment,” said Michele Bobadilla, Michele Bobadilla, UT Arlington University Crossroads P-16 and USHCCF University Partnerships.

USHCCF was instrumental in working with Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) to inspire the 60x30TX Strategic Higher Education Plan with a portion targeted to building existing and new internship programs to create marketable skills for the workforce of the future. The UT Arlington University Crossroads P16 Council collaborates with more than 90 community partners working to prepare students in Collin, Dallas, Denton and Tarrant counties for college and career success.

“UT Arlington and Capital One are doing great work for our young talent,” said Betty Manetta, CEO of Argent Associates, where Uribe is employed. “I am so proud of Daniel. He’s a great technician and we are honored to have him as part of our team.”

Uribe, a young husband and father, has taken his learning experience to new heights as he transverses school and his full-time job. He is at the forefront of new and expanding technology connectivity, installation and testing. He is pleased to have mentors, teachers and an employer who value his worth and encourage his dreams. And, he values the support and inspiration from his family.

For further information on working to develop a meaningful internship program reach out to NAF, USHCCF or Capital One Bank.

Betty Manetta, CEO of Argent Associates, was recently awarded the 2019 Ford Mujer Legendria Award in Leadership. The award was part of a ceremony hosted by Ford Motor Company, the Greater Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association and the University of Texas at Arlington’s Crossroads.

Each year, Ford Motor Company selects outstanding Latinas in the United States who are contributing to their communities. Awards are presented to Latinas in Dallas, Houston, Miami, New York and Los Angeles, highlighting their accomplishments in four major categories — Leadership/SMART, Innovation/Green, Community/Safe, and Quality/STEM. These are the same pillars upon which Ford designs and manufactures its vehicles.

Rick Ortiz and the GDHCC nominated Manetta for the Leadership/SMART Award. Manetta, who immigrated from Argentina as a child, founded Argent Associates in 1998. The successful multi-million-dollar business focuses on creating and deploying technology to build smarter mobility and connectivity solutions across a multitude of industries, including driverless vehicles. Manetta is a passionate advocate for the business community and has championed organizations that seek to enhance opportunities for women and minority-owned businesses. Manetta serves on the board of directors for GDHCC, the Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council, Women’s Business Council – Southwest and Visit Dallas. In addition, she is on the board of Seton Hall University and is an active member of the DFW Hispanic 100. She is active in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) initiatives for underserved communities and young women.

“It is truly humbling to be named a legendary woman,” said Manetta. “As we all know, most Latinas are legendary; it’s in our DNA. We’re resourceful and strong and we do amazing things. We’re mothers, wives, teachers, workers, community activists and we’re God loving women. I take my role as a leader in my community very serious. It’s not easy to be a leader because we need to ensure that our words and actions are communicated in such a way that will set the path for other Latinas that follow us.”

The other Latinas recognized alongside Manetta were: Rosemary Hinojosa for Community, Elizabeth Couch for Innovation and Dr. Maria Boccalandro for-Sustainability

This is the sixth year of celebrating Mujeres Legendarias. The honorees from Dallas represent the 22 million outstanding Latinas in the United States who are making a difference in the workplace, their homes, the environment and the community.

Argent Associates has always participated over the years in unique causes to assist the underserved. This year, Argent donated to two worthy causes – a Luggage Drive sponsored by the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC) and “Bikes for Kids” sponsored by RealComm CEO, Jim Young in southern California.

The MMSDC accepted contributions of luggage, duffel bags, backpacks, and conference bags to be donated to Wayne Center’s foster care program. Each year approximately 7,400 children enter foster care for the first time, and on any given day in Michigan, approximately 13,000 children are in foster care or a residential placement due to abuse or neglect. Unfortunately, many of these children move often and carry whatever belongings they can fit into a plastic trash bag.

“We attend a lot of conferences and had plenty of unused conference and duffle bags just stored in the office,” said Betty Manetta, CEO of Argent Associates. “We thought this was an outstanding and unique idea that warranted our participation. Thank you MMSDC for giving us an opportunity to do something worthwhile with these bags and bringing attention to the plight of children in foster care in Michigan and around the country.”

The MMSDC was able to collect over 350 pieces of luggage, bags, totes, and backpacks, all of which were donated to the Wayne Center and distributed to foster youth in the Metro Detroit area.

“Bikes for Kids” was also supported by Argent. The truckloads of bikes collected by Jim Young, Founder and CEO of RealComm, were given to the Marine Corps that worked the San Diego Center for Children and Barrio Logan in southern San Diego. In addition, bikes were distributed to Toys for Hope in Oceanside, CA and children in Tijuana. Young began “Bikes for Kids” several years ago.

“Argent has been a contributor to ‘Bikes for Kids’ for many years,” said Ramon Moya, Chief Technology Officer at Argent Associates. “I am an avid biker myself and understand what it means to receive your first bike. It gives children a whole new world of mobility. Jim does a tremendous job of gathering new bikes this worthy cause.”

Betty Manetta and Argent Associates participate and support both organizations in their main missions, as well as these Holiday Season outreach. MMSDC is a leading champion of minority-owned businesses growth and inclusion in Michigan. Argent is a Hispanic, woman-owned business and Manetta understands the challenges that face minority-owned and women-owned businesses as they business opportunities and sustainable growth. RealComm is a leading source for evolving real estate technology, intelligent buildings and energy efficiencies in commercial real estate. Argent’s business model centers around smart technologies including that found in real estate. In addition, Manetta and Jim Young are both strong supporters of programs for mathematics and science (STEM) for underserved youth and girls.