Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
PHARR, Texas — Eight business and community leaders joined three featured speakers at the fourth annual ZERA Leadership Day Conference on October 30, 2026, at Pharr ONE, where discussions focused on communication, trust, teamwork and professional development.
Organized by ZERA Coaching, the conference brought together business owners, educators, professionals and emerging leaders for presentations, panel discussions and interactive activities.
Pharr City Manager Dr. Jonathan Flores welcomed participants on behalf of Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez and city officials.
“You have the opportunity every day to make an impact in somebody’s life,” Flores said, emphasizing that leadership begins long before someone receives a management position.
The first panel, moderated by Marie Salazar Garcia, examined leadership through relationships and workplace culture.
Participants included Bob Lozano, CEO of F&P Brands; Iliana Villalobos, an attorney with Villalobos Law Firm; Yaw Sam, co-founder of Brand Geniuz; and Dr. Annabelle Palomo, founder and CEO of Rio Grande Valley College.
Lozano discussed treating employees as an organization’s most important customers. Villalobos explained how attorneys can build trust by helping clients understand their legal options.
Sam distinguished between attracting social media followers and developing communities based on lasting relationships. Palomo discussed maintaining organizational culture while expanding educational opportunities and opening a campus in San Antonio.
The second panel, moderated by ZERA Coaching founder and executive director Hervin Antonio Hidalgo, addressed organizational growth, regional collaboration, and mentoring.
Panelists included Felida Villarreal, president and CEO of Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA); Paco Sanchez, president and CEO of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership; Dr. Marcos Silva, executive director of external affairs and the foundation at South Texas College; and entrepreneur Milly Chirino.
Villarreal discussed maintaining employee relationships as VIDA expanded from nine to 26 employees. Sanchez emphasized building trust among regional organizations before disagreements arise.
Silva discussed storytelling and creating opportunities for people to share ideas. Chirino described mentoring employees and helping aspiring entrepreneurs establish businesses.
Three featured speakers presented additional perspectives on leadership.
Daniel Lopez, a Navy veteran and leadership trainer, discussed how employee recognition, training, and personal connections influence customer service.
Roxanne Ramirez-Cisneros, founder and CEO of The Healing Center, encouraged leaders to consider how their reactions during the first 10 seconds of an interaction affect others.
Hidalgo emphasized understanding employees before addressing workplace problems.
“Good leaders communicate, but great leaders connect,” Hidalgo told participants.
The program included networking exercises and group discussions designed to encourage participants to practice communication and teamwork.
Hidalgo also recognized Palomo for supporting his professional development and helping lay the foundation for ZERA Coaching’s leadership initiatives.
The conference concluded by encouraging participants to apply the lessons in everyday workplace interactions.
