Elizabeth Suarez’s deep years of experience in city government and community affairs made her the ideal and perhaps only candidate for a newly formed leadership position in the city of McAllen.

In mid-January, Suarez became the president and chief executive officer of the McAllen Economic Development Corporation. It’s the same title she was holding in leading the McAllen Chamber of Commerce. To put two vital legacy organizations under one leader represents a huge leap for a city known for its traditionalist business community.

“It’s transformational for McAllen,” Suarez said of her new dual roles. “The idea of having something like this had been talked about for a few years but it wasn’t the right time. Then all of the pieces fell into place at the right time.”

The first piece occurred with the retirement of Keith Patridge, the EDC’s longtime chief executive, in late 2024. Before taking the chamber’s helm in October 2023, Suarez had worked closely with the EDC as the city’s director of aviation for nearly 10 years. Preceding that position was a lengthy tenure as the city’s transit director. Suarez’s 25-year track record of working with and leading key departments and organizations in McAllen made her more than a known quantity to local business and political leaders. 

“I’m leaning into both of these teams,” she said of leading the chamber and CEO. “It all feels like a dream.”

‘Changing Of The Guard’

The two organizations are now working under the same roof at the chamber’s offices in downtown McAllen.

They have not, however, merged. The EDC and chamber continue to operate under separate boards. There are functions separate to each organization’s specialties while there are also some identifiable commonalities. Suarez says both organizations have managers who are involved in workforce development and working with local colleges on apprenticeship programs. Those responsibilities can be streamlined and improved.

Combining obvious functions like accounting and finance teams can serve both organizations. There will be savings in office supplies and furniture and not paying leasing costs for the EDC’s former offices on the Military Highway.

“How do we improve efficiencies and align how we’re promoting business?” Suarez said of some of her key challenges. “We’re working to eliminate duplications and aligning our messaging in how we market and promote our city.”

The lack of agreed-upon strategies to promote the city and foster economic duplication had long frustrated some McAllen leaders. Former Mayor Jim Darling often spoke of these deficiencies as he viewed them in too many local entities doing the same things with little coordination. Suarez noted that larger cities like Houston have long operated with one joint CEO for both chamber and EDC organizations. Getting something like that done can be challenging in cities where there are competing political interests and constituencies.

In McAllen, Suarez says, it became possible with a “changing of the guard” with retirements and her late 2023 move from the airport to the chamber, where longtime CEO Steve Ahlenius had recently departed.

“We’re bringing teams together,” she said. “We’re excited about the opportunities we see ahead.”

‘Little Grain Of Salt’

Suarez has been a manager long enough to know that such a dramatic change like the one she’s in the midst of can bring staff worries and concerns.

“It’s such a huge change so there is going to be apprehension,” she said. “Having a new boss can be tough, but honestly, I’m seeing creative brainstorming sessions and the ideas that are flowing are amazing. I’m hoping that we will be able to showcase the talents and experience of our teams and staff.”

Suarez came up in teams like the ones she now oversees. Recalling her start in 2000, after her hiring by Derald Lary, the city’s airport director at the time, she well knows the importance of mentors and offering opportunities to capitalize upon. 

“Sometimes, people see more in you than you can see yourself,” she said, reflecting on the role Lary had in her development. “I know I’m still attached to him and other mentors I’ve had. They’ve all put their little grain of salt in me.”