Alvarez Ventures, a small business management consulting company. Among projects the company has either launched, consulted or expanded include the following; created an innovative interactive digital signage advertising kiosk; an innovative coaching and mentoring system for employee performance evaluation; Chinese International business and education summits; initial team member of Goldman Sach's 10,000 Small Businesses at Houston Community College; Workforce solutions initiatives; franchise seminars on a fee based basis; small business acquisitions;consultant to small business start-up's.

27 Gen T offers targeted marketing and advertising opportunities through computer-based interactive, self-service kiosks monitors strategically located in school districts throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Kiosks monitors provides real-time education and employment information services, relevant to high school students pursuing a high school diploma and beyond. developed a model that puts education and employment information in the hands of students, providing a valuable service to school systems, while at the same time creating powerful advertising opportunities for sponsors. Kiosk-monitor services are FREE to students and schools. The interactive nature of the monitor-kiosk allows the user base to be monitored in real time, which will help advertisers target specific audiences. The results of the advertising campaigns are more measurable in this venue and are more likely to represent a higher ROI for potential sponsors.

Chief Operating Officer of a International business management company specializing in the residential and commercial glass industry. Our clients are high net worth individuals who own successful businesses in International countries.Responsibilities include implementation and rapid expansion of a business management company. Duties include all phases of building a small business utilizing a franchise model. I recruit, hire, train, develop and oversee the management team which include, financial, operations, human resources, business development, marketing,, etc. Establish business relationships with construction industry decision makers. I establish systems, controls, procedures, checks and balances from customer service surveys, quality control procedures to daily cash flow analysis and forecasting. Responsible for developing and implementing a aggressive three year expansion program.

Leading a team of entrepreneurial business development, lender relations, and procurement specialists;publicizing and administering SBA's loan and technical assistance programs; developing and maintaining SBA's strategic plan and performance measures; developing, planning and executing the District Office's operations budget; developing efficient fair procurement opportunities for small businesses; managing SBA's resource partners who provide counseling and training to small businesses that serve 55 counties; communicating and maintaining contacts with other Federal, State, and local officials to understand the District's business challenges and requirements, and explain, promote the goals, programs, and services of the SBA which include access to capital and revolving loan programs such as 7a, 504, 8a, micro financing and others. I also developed relationships with community leaders and bankers to promote SBA programs and build strategic partnerships with the banking community and with my District Chambers of Commerce. I accomplish this through public relations activities and effective public speaking also in Spanish.

Responsible for creating a marketing program adding value and increase Chambers membership efforts. I created a "Franchise Center" program. The Chamber partnered with the University of Texas at El Paso to open the Center which taught people how to buy and manage franchise businesses or become franchisers. Topics included business plan strategy,access to capital, legal issues, personnel, branding, management training, and communication, site selection, risk management, and becoming a franchiser. Secured two local banks to invest $25,000 each to capitalize the Franchise Center as Founders.Participated in local and regional committees and boards, addressing business issues, and economic development projects. Advised Chamber members on SBA's revolving loan programs,access to capital, and small business start-up strategies.

Established, maintained and expanded business relationships with Real Estate Brokers and Agents at the community level. Also established relationships with Mortgage Lenders. My primary responsibility was to encourage the use of Nehemiah's Down-Payment Assistance Program. I traveled throughout the U.S., meeting with prospective partners regularly for relationship and partnership building and strategic partnership development with community organizations primarily in Hispanic communities. I did this thru public relations activities and public speaking arrangement's. I would ask the community organization leadership to arrange a free seminar at their offices to promote and discuss the advantaged of using Nehemiah's down payment assistance program. In making a purchase of a home, Nehemiah was able to show a seller of how a hoe how it was advantageous to drop the price 10% of appraised value. In turn, the buyer would assume the 10% and it would be the buyers way of having a down payment for the home. I also attended local, regional and national conferences and events. One primary National organization I was a member of was the National Association Hispanic Real Estate Professionals, (NAHREP). I still maintain strong relationships at the National level because of a relationship I established with the former Mayor San Antonio and a former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Henry Cisneros.

I opened my first Little Caesars Pizza restaurant in McAllen, Texas with 10 part-time employees generating $238,000 in annual revenues. By attracting, developing, and retaining excellent staff, I grew the company into a multi-concept (Little Caesars Pizza, Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar, On The Border Mexican Cafe, and Burger King), multi-unit (27 restaurants) franchise company employing over 1,300 employees in South texas generating well over $25 million in annual revenues. In addition, the company bid and managed the second largest U.S. Small Business Administration 8(a) Food Service Procurement contract, U.S. Department of Defense, Ft. Hood, Texas. ($25 million contract over 3 years). The company was also a successful graduate of the SBA's 7-a guaranty, 504 debenture revolving loan programs. It also graduated successfully from the 8(a) program. ( I invite you to visit YOU TUBE to view "Vintage" Professional Videos..once at YOU TUBE, type...tony alvarez applebees grand opening...tony alvarez rags to riches...tony alvarez keynote adress...and franchising 101...)