Leandro Pedraza of VTX1 took the concept of paying it forward and then made it count in Raymondville.

Pedraza, an accounting manager with VTX1, heard the Family Crisis Center in Raymondville had suffered a devastating burglary. The result was the theft of all of the facility’s computers along with other damages. Pedraza wanted to see what could be done to help and asked his supervisors for permission to proceed.

At the end of that process, VTX1 donated the funds needed to install a security system with exterior cameras at the center which helps victims of family violence and sexual assaults. For VTX1, it was just another example of a company that got its start as telephone cooperative reaching out to its mostly rural companies to offer help.

“It speaks volumes about our leadership and our company’s willingness to serve our communities,” Pedraza said. “We benefit from the business our communities give us and so we take that and pay it forward.”

A commitment to public service

The Raymondville-based company today serves wide swaths of South Texas after its Rio Grande Valley-based start in the 1950s. It began as a telephone cooperative that took phone services to communities like Raymondville, Lyford, San Perlita, Monte Alto and McCook. VTX1 today is a telecommunication company that offers Internet, phone and security services to communities from the Valley all the way up to cities near Austin.

Its reach and services has expanded and changed over the years, but the company’s commitment to public service has not. The VTX1 companies pride themselves on following a corporate social responsibility program that is an integral company value. The company has scholarship programs and Christmas charity efforts. With both of these efforts, employees and managers come together to raise funds to help those in need. 

Building up communities

Sponsorships provided by VTX1 touch livestock shows from the Valley to similar celebrations in Brooks and McMullen counties. The company recently partnered with Habitat for Humanity to build a home in Raymondville. The VTX1 companies provided a $50,000 donation and volunteer hours to build the home. The employees contributed half of the funds provided to build the home.

“Our employees are some of the best I have ever worked with,” said Dave Osborn, the VTX1 chief executive officer, in a statement provided by the company.”Through their care and generosity, they raised 50 percent of the funds donated by the company (for the home). I’m extremely proud of them.”

Jennifer Crist, the VTX1 marketing communications supervisor, became part of the company this year. The company’s generosity in reaching out to its communities made a quick impression on her.

“Our management wants to make sure we’re not only seen in the community, but that we’re also giving back,” Crist said. “We pride ourselves on it.”

Pedraza takes that commitment to heart. He’s paying the monthly security bill for the crisis center for a year out of his own pocket.

“It’s part of what we’re supposed to do here,” he said.