West Plains, MO, February 21, 2025 – The National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP) today announced Manuel Ugues as the 2025 recipient of the H.G. Weisman Award. Ugues, Regional Director of SERCO of Texas, will be recognized at an awards ceremony at NAWDP’s 41st Annual Conference in Virginia Beach, VA on May 5-7, 2025.
The H.G. Weisman Award is granted, at the discretion of the NAWDP Board Chair, for exceptional services to NAWDP and the field of workforce development. Ugues is passionate about workforce development, with extensive experience in economic development and business services.
“I am truly grateful to be selected by NAWDP as a recipient of the H.G. Weisman Award,” said Ugues. “As a long time member of NAWDP who participated initially for my own career development purposes, to now being engaged in a leadership and NAWDP Board of Director role that seeks to help others with their leadership and career development journey and the overall success of NAWDP, it’s a great honor to work side by side with our members, our very professional and capable NAWDP staff, and the always giving Board of Directors who dedicate their time and resources to help advance the mission of NAWDP. Thank you to NAWDP Chairwoman of the Board, Dana Keller, for this distinguished award. This honor is very much appreciated.”
Ugues has been Regional Director of SERCO of Texas for over 15 years, where his responsibilities include leading and inspiring a team of more than 300 employees to serve its seven workforce development board regions including the cities of Houston, San Antonio, Laredo, Waco, Abilene, San Angelo, and Bryan/College Station. Comprising over 50 urban and rural counties out of 254 Texas counties, SERCO of Texas helps elevate the economic and workforce environment through proven workforce development strategies and efforts. As a leader in providing results for improvement in workforce development, youth programs, one-stop workforce centers, childcare services, and many other critical economic development initiatives, Ugues is committed to facilitating SERCO’s resources to help improve opportunity and success to its customers, partners, and stakeholders.
A graduate of Texas A&M University in Kingsville, Texas, Ugues earned a bachelor’s degree in business management with a focus on marketing. Ugues is an Aspen Fellow through the Alamo Workforce Leadership Program in partnership with the Aspen Institute. He also serves as a Board Member of the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals representing Texas.
“I am delighted to present this award to Manuel,” said NAWDP Board Chair Dana Keller, “His passion for workforce and dedication to helping others is an inspiration for everyone in the workforce development arena.”
The H.G. Weisman award is presented in honor of the late Hank Weisman, who was among a group of workforce leaders who were instrumental in the founding of the National Job Training Partnership, an “organization of organizations” which later was called the Partnership for Training and Employment Careers before developing into the membership professional development organization we now know as NAWDP.
