Luis Reyes is the new Weslaco Chamber of Commerce board chair for the 2018-2019 fiscal year. Reyes is the communications manager for Magic Valley Electrical Cooperative, a role in which he has served since 2011. “The chance to serve our members and the Weslaco business community is a task I’m excited and eager to take on,” said Reyes. “Weslaco is the epicenter of so much growth and economic development, it’s important…
From advances in studying determinants of health, to public health initiatives to combat obesity and patient case studies, researchers from across the country and world gathered recently at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine’s second annual Research Symposium to discuss how they are addressing disparities in healthcare. “Health Disparities 2018: Closing the Gap” featured keynote speaker Maria Elena Bottazzi, associate dean of the National School of…
The Rio Grande Valley is a complex network of interconnected communities bound by culture, geography and economics. At times in its history and into the present, the region sometimes struggles to overcome territorial squabbles to work together for the common good. With the merger of campuses into the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, the concept of a regional university represents another step in uniting the border region. And a…
Representatives from the RGV law enforcement community recently met for South Texas College’s first President’s Advisory Council Retreat. Here, leaders provided regular input and recommendations for professional continuing education and degree programs. Law enforcement is coordinating with STC to develop an action plan as the STC Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence gets underway. Earlier this year, STC President Shirley A. Reed extended an invitation to leaders of the law enforcement…
The historic, Spanish-architecturally inspired Villa de Cortez, built in 1928 in downtown Weslaco, was the perfect venue for “The Future of Downtown” dinner Aug. 30 hosted by BUILDrgv (Building Urban & Innovative Land Development in the Rio Grande Valley), an organization who hopes to spark a conversation about how to engage with your downtown. “These events are to bring people together,” says Pedro Ayala, the evening’s host, founder and chief…
BuildRGV is focusing on the Rio Grande Valley’s downtowns and their economic prosperity with “The Future of Downtowns” Aug. 30 in downtown Weslaco. Held for downtown merchants, property owners, builders, developers, city planners and EDC staff, and county and downtown managers, the event provides innovative approaches to driving traffic to downtown. Attendees will learn not only how to bring more traffic to their downtowns, but also success stories of other vibrant…
Construction of Hampton Inn’s newest location in the area has begun at 1004 Fairfield Blvd. in Weslaco with expected completion in September 2019. The hotel chain will create between 10 to 15 more full-time jobs in Weslaco. Birju Patel, franchise owner, says that Weslaco’s centralized location in the region, along with its stable economy and strategic growth, were determining factors to the decision to come to Weslaco. “I’ve been studying Weslaco…
As South Texans look for cool freshwater relief to beat the heat, thousands travel to South Padre Island to enjoy the massive Schlitterbahn water park complex. Open since 2001, Schlitterbahn operates its summer-seasonal outdoor park with churning wave pools, water slides with varying thrill levels and calmer waters more suited for a relaxing tube float. In 2012, Schlitterbahn opened its year-round indoor water park and resort hotel. But elsewhere in…
Editor’s Note: Leadership can mean different things to different people. The Valley Business Report turned to experienced business leaders in the Rio Grande Valley to learn more about their views on leadership in their own words. Through a question-and-answer format, Leadership Matters presents comments on leadership from Valley CEOs and other business leaders. Sergio Contreras is president and CEO of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership. The RGVP is the primary…
Selling is hard work, and successful sales people constantly push the envelope and step outside their comfort zone. “There is nothing good inside your comfort zone,” Chris’mere Mallard told about 30 sales people during a recent seminar at the Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce. And, to prove his point, Mallard used interactive tactics to put most everyone in the room on the spot, either in group exercises or individual challenges.…