Title: Chief Executive Officer, Owner
Company: Manning Safety Services, Inc.
Location: Pleasanton, TX United States

Nearly three decades ago, Joanna Newsome-Gonzales decided to spend her summer answering phones for Manning Safety Services, Inc., which inspired her to want to own a business someday. She spent the next few years learning as much as she could about the oil industry, and then made her dreams come true by buying the very company she started with. As the owner and CEO of Manning Safety Services, Inc., Ms. Newsome-Gonzales carries on the vision of the original founder, which was to help companies in the oil and gas industry provide a safe environment for their employees and surrounding community.

The biggest challenge Ms. Newsome-Gonzales faced was the boys’ club; when she started, there were only two other women in the oil field in South Texas. She used her knowledge of the industry to succeed, however, and proved to others that she really knows her stuff. Ms. Newsome-Gonzales is also skilled in business, and is particularly proud of the fact that, with oil prices hitting an all time low, she has not had to lay off any of her employees or cut their salaries or benefits.

Looking forward, Ms. Newsome-Gonzales hopes to continue to run Manning Safety Service, Inc., and pass it on to her children someday. She would love for it to mean as much to them as it does to her. When she can, Ms. Newsome-Gonzales donates to first responders by providing equipment and safety education.

Contact Joanna Newsome-Gonzales: