Author Archives: VBR

Texas Southmost College has recently announced the launch of the new Industrial Scaffolding Committee Basic Access program in response to a shortage of skilled industrial scaffold builders in Texas and the Gulf Coast region. The Industrial Scaffolding Committee Basic Access program is a two-week, 80-hour Workforce Training program that will prepare students for the Industrial Scaffolding Committee certification. Students who complete the Industrial Scaffolding Committee Basic Access program will learn…

Local Leaders Take Part in RGV2DC Fly-In

June 21, 2018

VBR

Forty community leaders and stakeholders from the Rio Grande Valley recently traveled to Washington, D.C. for the second annual RGV2DC fly-in. During their time in D.C., attendees met with members of Congress, including senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz and Congressman Beto O’Rourke. Mayor of McAllen Mayor Jim Darling; elected officials from Mission, Pharr, and Brownsville; as well as senior leadership from the RGV Partnership, University of Texas at Rio Grande…

Pharr Bridge Hosts Toll Enhancements Overview

June 20, 2018

VBR

Events Featured News Comments

The Pharr International Bridge hosts a free BridgeConnect Trade Session on the new toll system June 21 from 2-4 p.m. The session povides an overview of the enhancements coming soon for customers to cross more efficiently. The system will also replace all existing tags for current customers. The BridgeConnect Trade Session will take place at the Pharr Development and Research Center, 850 W. Dicker Road in Pharr. BridgeConnect is implemented by the…

UTRGV Names New Business Dean

June 14, 2018

VBR

Education Comments

Yash P. Gupta will assume his role as the new dean of the Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship Aug. 1 at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Gupta will replace Mark Kroll, who served as dean for seven years and will return to faculty to focus on teaching as well as research. Gupta comes to the Valley from Louisville, Ky., where he was president and CEO of…

Mission Chamber President Receives Scholarship

June 14, 2018

VBR

News Comments

President and CEO of the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce Robert Rosell is one of a handful of professionals nationally receiving a scholarship from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The National Institute Scholarships recognize recipients for their involvement in both industry professional organizations and community service. Rosell will participate in the Institute for Organization Management‘s curriculum which consists of four week-long sessions taught by university professors, industry experts and…

Mission Internship Produces Results

June 13, 2018

VBR

Education Featured Comments

The Mission EDC’s first group of interns did exactly what they were meant to do over the last year at the CEED Building: gain experience, grow skills and get ready to transition into the professional world. The students, stationed at different work areas around the Mission EDC based on their skill set and worked on cyber security issues. They also worked in facility management, marketing, social media management, event production,…

Brownsville Navigation District Elects Board

June 6, 2018

VBR

News Comments

John Reed has unanimously been elected to serve as chairman of the Brownsville Navigation District. Reed has served as chairman prior from 2010-2012. His new appointment is also for two years. He continues to serve alongside BND Vice Chairman Sergio Tito Lopez and Secretary Ralph Cowen. Both men were also unanimously elected to the serve as part of the executive board. Local businessman Esteban Guerra also was sworn in as…

Resolving Workplace Conflict

June 1, 2018

VBR

Business Advice News Comments

As they grow, local small businesses often promote longtime employees to supervisory or management positions without providing training in essential skills. Conflicts arise when an individual does not know how to be a boss – how to delegate work, how to guide subordinates to keep projects on schedule, how to deal with a team’s strengths and weaknesses, how to listen. Workplace conflict, whatever the cause, leads to inefficient operations…

Hatching Ideas for Business

June 1, 2018

VBR

News Comments

A Mexican entrepreneur who has achieved success with nopal-based powders, candies and breads is working to break into the U.S. market, with a little help from his friends at the Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center, a real-life entrepreneurship laboratory in Brownsville. Acting as a business incubator, the center is part of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s Office of Community Engagement and Economic Development. “What we focus on is business…

TSTC Helps Fill Nursing Shortage

May 31, 2018

VBR

e-Brief Features Education Healthcare News Comments

The Texas State Technical College nursing division in Harlingen is celebrating its second consecutive 100 percent national exam pass rate for its vocational nursing program. The milestone is a mark of distinction for the department working to relieve a shortage of nurses in the Rio Grande Valley and across the state. “We hold all of our students to a high standard,” said Heather Sauceda, TSTC vocational nursing program director. “Here…