The Pharr Economic Development Corporation, in partnership with the City of Pharr, has launched the newly created Pharr EDC Foundation. As the City of Pharr’s economic development arm, the Pharr EDC has always focused its efforts on creating direct pipelines for students, post-secondary education workforce development, entrepreneurship and business development. These efforts will further expand through the Pharr EDC Foundation with a special focus on education.
The Pharr EDC Foundation recently held an induction ceremony welcoming the Founding Board of Directors.
“This is an exciting moment for the Pharr EDC and something we have been working towards,” said Victor Perez, executive director of the Pharr EDC during the ceremony. “The Pharr EDC Foundation, through the dedication and assistance of its board members, plans to focus its efforts on providing scholarships, internship opportunities and financial literacy education to students within the City of Pharr.”
The foundation advisory board includes Perez as president, Vice President Reynaldo Perez and Pharr Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez serving as treasurer. Reynaldo Perez is also an adjunct professor at Vanguard Academy and South Texas College.
The Pharr EDC Foundation Founding Board of Directors are:
- Felix Chavez, Jr., president/owner of Junior’s Supermarket
- Edna De Saro, executive VP and marketing director of Lone Star National Bank
- Veronica Gonzales, vice president of Governmental & Community Relations for UTRGV
- Hans Humphrey, new projects director for CIL
- Also, Sara Lozano, dean of Business, Public Safety, and Technology for South Texas College
- Jerry Maddox, owner of Fazoli’s Pharr
- Dorian Madrigal, general sales manager for CAPA
- Tony Martinez, managing member of Primo Trading Services
- Alex Meade, vice president of Economic Development & Public Finance for Texas Regional Bank
- Dr. Annabelle Palomo, CEO/school director of RGV College
- Johnny Rodriguez, director of public relations for Bert Ogden Auto
- Robert Tudor, owner of Rapid Transport, United Truck Parts and Dura Trucks.
Stuart I.R. Haniff, chief executive officer for The Food Bank RGV, will serve as an Advisor to the Board.
Creating Opportunities For Students
“Through the Pharr EDC Foundation, we hope to foster relationships within our community to expand educational and workforce opportunities for students and individuals within Pharr, while supporting our economic growth,” said Hernandez. “Education is a critical key to workforce development and we are committed to advancing and supporting our future workforce by providing them with scholarships, internships, and resources, to set them on the path to success.”
The Pharr EDC Foundation is committed to supporting Pharr students’ achieve their educational and career dreams. It will help students pay for college from a trade or technical degree to a four-year university.
As part of this commitment, the Pharr City Commission presented the Pharr EDC Foundation with a $500,000 check during the ceremony. Hernandez says funding for the foundation will come from revenues generated by the Pharr International Bridge and through fundraising efforts by the board.
The Pharr EDC Foundation plans to launch its website in the coming months, and scholarship applications will be made available shortly thereafter.
