GBE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Grant and Data Specialist
Joining GBE in 2016, Alonzo uses his technology and analytical skills to perform his responsibilities that include collecting and reviewing data, writing and editing grant proposals, including budgets, submitting foundation grants, and conducting conference calls with clients. He is highly driven and in the process of pursuing his bachelor's degree in business at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. He attributes that drive to his family, who are all goal-driven individuals. "My father is a lawyer, my mother is an entrepreneur and my brother is an entrepreneur. They all strive to work hard and assist those that are facing times of need." That is his favorite aspect about working at GBE. He says he enjoys assisting students that are most in need as well as being able to work with such a variety of different individuals on a daily basis. One if his favorite quotes is something he lives by and assists his work at GBE and in grant writing, "If the plan doesn't work, change the plan, but never the goal." Alonzo is a native of Texas and lives in Harlingen where enjoys basketball, golf and weight training in his free time.
After 25 years as a professional journalist, Lisa joined GBE in September 2019 and brought with her the writing and editing skills that are utilized daily in the organization. She is responsible for identifying grant opportunities, performing grant writing and editing and submitting various types of grants. Lisa earned a master's degree in Communication at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley many years after receiving a bachelor's degree with a print journalism major in her home state of Wisconsin. In her years of work prior to joining GBE, Lisa was the editor of three different newspapers in three different states, the most recent being the Valley Morning Star, a 7-day a week newspaper in Harlingen. Her ability to think critically, put ideas onto paper and meet deadlines comes from the years in that industry and now she is pleased to bring those talents and skills to GBE and "help local nonprofit organizations and school districts meet goals and dreams they wouldn't be able to without the funding GBE obtains for them." Lisa says she is proud of the work she does at GBE, but also is stimulated by it and admits she learns something new every day. In her free time, Lisa enjoys golfing, taking walks with her three rescue dogs, reading and relaxing in front of the television.
Job Titles:
- Vice President / Grant Consultant
The founder of Granting the Best Education in 2016, Lorenzo leads the company and is responsible for developing and implementing its high-level strategies, making corporate decisions and managing the overall operations and resources of the company. He works closely with school districts, colleges, universities and nonprofit organizations to help them determine their needs and assists them with locating and suggesting available grant opportunities. Since he was a teenager, Lorenzo has been directly involved in researching and writing hundreds of grants and securing funds for school districts, universities, college and nonprofit organizations. Through his work with Educational Research Institute (ERI) he secured hundreds of millions of dollars in grant funding for organizations in need, Lorenzo found his niche and his talent to provide clients with trusted service, while helping them develop projects and secure the funding needed to make their ideas a reality. He started GBE because he wanted to provide these full-service grant writing opportunities to organizations throughout the United States and believes the grant funding his company obtains goes to the students and individuals who are most in need. For Lorenzo, who believes "To whom much is given, much will be required" (Luke 12:48), his mother, Linda Alaniz created the pathway to grant writing by building her own successful business and now his goal is to keep building upon that foundation. Lorenzo is working toward finishing his bachelor's degree in business at the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley and enjoys fishing, golfing and weight training in his limited free time.
With grant writing experience going back to 2008, Maggie's ability to connect with people has helped her develop great relationships with her clients. She is responsible for identifying grant opportunities, managing grant submission deadlines, performing grant writing and editing duties, providing program oversight, budgeting and reporting. Maggie's favorite part of working for GBE is her ability to meet and work with people she normally wouldn't have the opportunity to. She also loves to see the programs that GBE is able to help agencies implement and the impact they have on individuals, families and the communities. Her ability to stay organized and be deadline driven comes from her years of management in restaurants in her home state of Texas. She admits, while her previous career helped her with the skills to work at GBE, she never would have imagined becoming a grant writer. "I never knew what it was to be a grant writer. It was not anything that your counselor will tell you about or shows up as a career path, but since being introduced to this process, I can't imagine doing anything else." In her free time, Maggie enjoys reading books and watching movies that both touch her heart and make her laugh, such as "The Shack," "Book Club" and "What Dreams May Come." Maggie lives in Harlingen, is married and has two beautiful children who mean the everything to her.
During his life, Ray has done a little bit of everything. So, it is not surprising that's what he does for GBE, too. Among his duties include collecting and reviewing information and data for grant proposals, identifying and querying grant opportunities with potential clients and conducting informational gathering conference calls. Originally from the state of Washington, Ray, who believes, "If you keep living in the past, then you will never have a future," has a variety of educational certifications in nursing as well as culinary arts. Prior to coming on board with ERI early in 2020, Ray was contracted by FedEx to paint facilities across the United States. However, he has found enjoyment and fulfillment working with the staff at ERI as everyone works together to reach the goals set.