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Leadership

Board of Directors

Workforce Solutions is led by a locally nominated Board of Directors (Board) that is representative of the tri-county region it serves: Hidalgo, Willacy and Starr counties. This Board operates under the following guiding principles: Sustainable Partnerships, Economic Opportunity, and Strategic Vision for Change. The 25-member Board consists of 51% private sector representation, while the remaining 49% is comprised of education, community-based organizations, labor, vocational rehabilitation, public assistance, and employment services representatives. This Board is responsible for the planning, evaluation, oversight, and fiscal accountability of the Workforce services and programs of the tri-county region.

Board chairs Website 1

Board Members

Hidalgo County

 
Mr. Kane Dawson
Mission Regional Medical Center 
Private Sector
 
Ms. Araceli De La Garza
DENSO TEN American Limited 
Private Sector
 
  Dr. Lidia Fonseca
Valley Association for Independent Living, Inc.
 Vocational Rehabilitation 
 
Dr. Ricardo R. Gonzalez
Valley Eye Care 
Private Sector
 
Ms. Marsha Gonzalez
Rio Grande Valley AFL-CIO Central Labor Council 
Labor
 
Ms. Katherine Karshis
Texas Workforce Commission 
Public Employment
 Ms. Corina P. Lavin
Little Braves Child Care
Child Care Workforce
 
  Ms. Arlene Longoria 
Region One- ESC
 Literacy Council
 
Mr. Jaime Longoria
Hidalgo County Community Service Agency 
Public Assistance
  
Mr. Randy Perez
Hidalgo County
Economic Development
Economic Development
 
Mr. Leo D. Saenz
Region One Education Service Center
Education
 
Dr. Judith M. Solis
Region One Education Service Center
Adult Basic Education

Starr County

Ms. Rose Benavidez
South Texas College
Education
 
Ms. Rosa E. Gonzalez
Riverwinds, Inc dba Subway
Private Sector
 
Ms. Dalinda L. Guillen
Texas Regional Bank 
Private Sector
 
Mr. Noel Benavides, Jr.
 Knights of Columbus
Community-Based Organization 
 
Mr. Alberto Escobedo
Esco Spa & Salon
Private Sector
 
Mr. Federico “Fred” Lopez
Knights of Columbus
Community-Based Organization

Willacy County

 Mr. Ricardo Salinas
Behavioral Health Solutions of South Texas - Tobacco Prevention & Control Coalition
Community-Based Organization
 
Ms. Criselda M. Santana
Boot Co. Bar & Grill
Private Sector
  
Mr. Oscar X. Gutierrez
FIT 540 Gym
Private Sector
 
Ms. Myrna M. Saldaña
El Valle Detention Facility
Private Sector

City of McAllen

Ms. Lorena Castillo
Negrete & Castillo, LLP
Private Sector
 
Ms. Sonia Falcon
Lone Star National Bank
Private Sector
 
Mr. Maurice Welton
Edible Arrangements
Private Sector
 
Ms. E. Rubi Cantu
Regal Rexnord Corporation
Private Sector
 
Mr. Edward Lopez
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel McAllen
Private Sector

Chief Elected Officials

  • Chief Elected Official – Mayor Javier Villalobos, City of McAllen
  • Judge Richard Cortez, Hidalgo Co.
  • Judge Eloy Vera, Starr Co.
  • Judge Aurelio “Keter” Guerra, Willacy Co.