Richard Manuel joined THE Search Firm as General Sales Manager and Partner in 2004. His backgrounds in operations, financial management, real estate, business acquisitions and business valuation span more than 2 decades and have become an integral asset to the Firm. Mr. Manuel received his Bachelors Degree from The University of Texas in Austin. Early in his career, Mr. Manuel gained experience with Cost Analysis, Capital Budgeting and Asset Control with esteemed companies such as Mostek and MCI. He was a key contributor in controlling MCI's Capital Construction Program with an annual expenditure of $500,000,000. He joined Trammell Crow Hotel Company (later Wyndham Hotel Company) as Construction Budgeting Manager for their hotel development program that allocated $600,000,000 for new construction and refurbishment of its hotels across the country as well as acquisition and closing of all construction and permanent loans. Other projects included Wyndham's $110,000,000 Palm Springs Hotel and Convention Center where he worked directly with the Palm Springs Redevelopment Agency, City officials, joint venture partners, Bond Trustee and internal Crow Partners. He saved the partners $1,000,000 through audits and close work with the Contractor. Mr Manuel worked extensively on hotel redevelopments in the U.S. and the Caribbean including Jamaica, St. Thomas and The Bahamas and was a vital participant in the successful acquisition of 11 hotel properties. In 1990 he joined a longtime friend in the car business where for twelve years he was the CFO of the successful large, family owned dealership in Dallas, TX. In 2002 Mr. Manuel facilitated the sale of this dealership achieving maximum value for its owners. His extensive business knowledge coupled with his tenure in the automotive industry make him a valued asset to THE Search Firm.