Mr. Ramirez was born in Kingsville, Texas, as the oldest of four children into a family devoted to education. Both his parents were school teachers, and an emphasis on school was a priority. After graduating from Hebbronville High School, Mr. Ramirez attended the University of Texas at Austin where he obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering. He was accepted to the University of Texas School of Law to begin in the Fall of 1988, however the law school granted him a 2 year deferrment so that he could work with Mobil Oil as an engineer in West Texas. As a Mobil Oil engineer, Mr. Ramirez had his office in downtown Midland, Texas. He was put in charge of over two hundred oil and gas wells, designing workovers for low-producing wells, as well as completions for newly-drilled wells. His job required him to be out in the oilfield regularly where he learned the nuances of the industry by working first hand with site foremen, work crews, service companies, and other engineers.