Renee Jimenez started early in business, selling snacks in her front yard while attending Fannin Elementary School in northeast El Paso. Today, her company is not only working on the UMC Bond project, Renee is considered one of El Paso’s true success stories.
After graduating from Andress High School, Renee headed to Texas A&M but once her degree was in hand, she later returned home to El Paso. “I knew it was time to move back to the city I love,” she said.
Renee eagerly took on all challenges, joining MNK Architects and being quickly recognized for her hard work and design abilities, eventually becoming the company’s CEO.
Her firm’s architectural excellence can be seen throughout El Paso, from design work on our community’s schools, such as Eastwood High School, Bel Air High School, El Paso High School, Montwood High School, and Burgess High School, to work on the El Paso Museum of History and the El Paso International Airport. Her firm is also responsible for designs for renovation work on patient rooms from a previous bond project at University Medical Center of El Paso.
“I love to see our community enjoying the buildings that the team at MNK Architects has worked on,” she said. “There is something truly special about changing the landscape of our community and seeing smiles from those who use these public facilities.”
Still, her priorities are not limited to her profession. Renee is a single mother of three: Jessica (22), Joey (15), and Jacoby (11). “We love giving back to this community through volunteering and exploring the nature of El Paso and the surrounding area by off-roading on our Side-by-Side or camping and traveling in our RV,” she added. “Being surrounded by the family and friends who have been here all along is what makes El Paso home.”
For UMC’s new bond project, her firm will be designing the new rehabilitation facilities at the UMC East Clinic, located at 1521 Joe Battle.
“Growing up here, I’ve always known how vital UMC is to our region,” she said. “It has been enjoyable to watch UMC grow, and our team at MNK is honored to be the local architectural firm given the opportunity to modernize their facilities to be the best in the region, ensuring our neighbors have access to world-class healthcare.”
A priority of UMC is joining with local companies and workers who can directly take part in the future of healthcare in the region. It is a priority shared by Renee.
“Hiring local is absolutely vital to our city’s success,” said Renee. “When we prioritize local talent, we ensure that El Paso tax dollars stay in El Paso rather than being sent to other cities. The individuals we hire live here, shop here and give back to this community; by keeping that talent here, we strengthen our own economy.”
It’s not just another job for Renee and MNK Architects. They are part of the fabric of El Paso. It matters to Renee to contribute to the city she loves.
“I am most proud of bringing the skills I gained early in my career back to El Paso,” she said. “Our city has amazing talent, and mentoring others through the work MNK does has been a true blessing. Furthermore, being one of the only 100 percent women-owned commercial architectural firms in El Paso working on the most important public facilities that impact our quality of life makes me incredibly proud. Applying professional expertise to projects that directly impact the neighborhoods I grew up in is the most fulfilling part of my career.
“For me, this isn’t just business—it’s personal,” added Renee. “I did not grow up privileged; my father is a disabled veteran, and my mother was a middle school teacher. I grew up with a learning disability, but I believed in myself, and I had a community that believed in me, too. We need to support each other and believe in El Paso. If I can make this impact with my team, I know everyone here can find a way to do the same through their work or by volunteering. El Paso deserves the best, and that’s what we strive to deliver every day.”
Current bond projects MNK Architects is working on:
- County GO Bond: New Medical Examiner’s Office, Downtown Jail renovations, New Community Kitchen, and New AgriLife/Parks facility.
- 2025 UMC Bond: New Physical Therapy Addition to the East Campus.
- CISD 2024 Bond: Design of the Northwest Early College.
- EPISD Bonds: Fine Arts building addition to El Paso High and the Burges High School transformation.
- YISD & SISD Bonds: Eastwood High School, Bel Air High School, and Montwood High School transformations.
- City of El Paso Bond: Eastside Regional Command Center.
