Manny Villarreal, 32
Electrical Engineer
Chance Rides LLC
Wichita, KS, United States
What Makes Manny an Engineering Leader
Manny is an electrical engineer in the amusement ride manufacturing industry whose work directly supports the design, reliability and production of electrically driven ride and transportation systems. He stands out for taking ownership of under-resourced areas, correcting legacy electrical designs and improving system reliability and manufacturability.
Manny consistently delivers high-quality work, collaborates effectively across electrical and mechanical teams, and steps up during critical project moments. As a UL Qualified Manufacturer Technical Representative, he demonstrates a strong commitment to safety, standards compliance and technical excellence while mentoring interns and supporting continuous improvement.
Leadership & Industry Contributions
Manny demonstrates leadership through mentoring and cross-training engineering interns while actively engaging colleagues across departments in technical discussions about Chance Rides’ products. During the summer internship program, he took ownership of mentoring interns, guiding them through real electrical design challenges and helping them understand how their work connects to manufacturing, safety and system reliability.
He encourages questions, explains design decisions and includes interns in meaningful discussions rather than limiting them to isolated tasks. Beyond formal mentoring, Manny engages with colleagues in manufacturing, mechanical engineering and other departments to share knowledge, improve designs and strengthen collaboration. His approachable, enthusiastic style helps build relationships, transfer knowledge effectively and foster a culture of learning and teamwork that benefits both employee development and product outcomes.
Manny also demonstrates a commitment to community and industry outreach through his involvement with Wichita State University. As a Wichita State engineering alumnus, he has participated in engineering-related work clubs and student-engagement activities, maintaining active connections with students and faculty. His efforts help bridge academic concepts with real-world engineering applications in the amusement ride industry.
Manny also supports first-generation and underserved students through mentorship and encouragement, reinforcing pathways into engineering careers. His outreach reflects a passion for STEM education, workforce development and strengthening ties between industry and the local engineering community.
Why Manny Chose This Career
Manny’s decision to pursue engineering began during his senior year of high school, when he was assigned a project about his plans after graduation. Unsure of his career path at the time, he researched careers that combined science and mathematics and discovered mechanical engineering.
While pursuing his degree, a physics course and a digital systems elective sparked a strong interest in electrical engineering. Although switching majors extended his graduation timeline to six years, Manny considers it one of the best investments he has made and a decision that ultimately led to a rewarding career.
