Building a Business | April

UIW Alumnus and Founder of Rangel Renewables Presentation open to the public

Wondering what it takes to open a business? UIW alumnus Josh Rangel, ’13, founder, president and CEO of Rangel Renewables, will share his secrets to setting goals, building a business plan and building a business for success during a presentation at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, in the Watson Auditorium of the Mabee Library. The event is free and open to the public. Register here.

During Rangel’s presentation, “Business Reality vs Business Dreamality – Which One Are You?”, the former UIW men’s golf student-athlete discusses what to expect when entering niche business markets. As the founder of Rangel Renewables, a leading wind installation company in the US, Rangel will share his experience.

“Josh is an ideal speaker for UIW students, including athletes, Business students, Sustainability Studies students, and more,” said Ben Miele, associate professor of English and Coordinator of Sustainability Studies at UIW. “His experience and successes are of utmost importance to students interested in a career that will be successful and spiritually fulfilling.”

Rangel Renewables is the first Spanish wind energy company in the US Miele told Miele that 2023 is “full of promise for exponential growth in renewable energy” and noted that the timing of Rangel’s speaking is important because April is not only Earth’s month, but also American Clean Power Week.

In addition to Rangel Renewables, the San Antonio native worked for Spencer-Odgen Energy and recently founded King Heavy Lift, which specializes in heavy-duty cranes and rigging. He is excited to return to UIW to share how he has learned about the wind energy industry and how he can leverage a business position to gain positive traction in the long run.

“I look forward to the opportunity to provide insight and knowledge to the future generation,” said Rangel. “It is an honor to present at the university where I graduated. They are the same chairs where I sat dreaming and working hard to start my own business. I hope to be able to offer inspiration to those present.”

Miele is also excited about the event and looking forward to hearing Rangel’s story. He knows the impact a guest speaker can have on students and employees alike, and he hopes the UIW community and beyond will learn from Rangel’s experience.

“I hope students and community members can hear in Josh’s story a story of hope, determination and innovative thinking,” added Miele. “We are in a unique moment, balancing between the climate crisis and a boom in renewable energy. We need to hear stories that break with what is conventionally assumed about our future and that can inspire the next generation to have faith in their future.”