Autumn Hawk, President and Founder of Birds Eye Media Group is said to be partnering with Houston Texas based Mega Media Company Indoor Media. Courtesy Image
Texas Border Business
LOS ANGELES, California – Autumn Hawk, President and Founder of Birds Eye Media Group is said to be partnering with Houston Texas based Mega Media Company Indoor Media. Hawk launched her company in 2022 and has quickly become the “Go to” marketing guru working with both small startups and large corporations all over the country. Her company covers the gamut from custom GIFS for Pro sports teams and celebrities to branding for some of the most well known Real Estate Brokerages in Los Angeles such as The Agency, Douglas Elliman and Keller Williams. Bidding Wars for the marketing trailblazer have begun to which Autumn laughed when asked about that replying “I’m in no hurry to be exclusive with any brokerage unless they gave me an offer I couldn’t refuse. Until then I see more value in helping everyone.”
Hawk, who single handedly created her own Niche within the media/marketing industry is said to be moving Birds Eye Media forward in many other ways at record speed looking to grow TV partnerships and developing media assets such as magazines, podcasts and billboards which are booming in a healthy metropolis such as Los Angeles. As far as the partnership goes with Indoor Media which focuses on local coupons, receipt ads, bench ads and cart ads, Hawk says “While these seem like smaller ad purchases, the ROI for clients is amazing! I’ve done hours of research and studied the analytics on these micro ads and found business owners can’t afford NOT to do them! They are so hyper local and that’s why they translate into consistent sales. It’s a game changer!”
Indoor Media has been in business over 30 years and services over 9,000 stores around the country. Their clients include lawyers, doctors, realtors, restaurants and many more!
David Gonzalez, a TSTC Building Construction Technology student, discusses his job qualifications with Stephanie Florez, a career counselor and case manager for the Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement in Mercedes, during a recent TSTC Career Services Interview Practicum. (Photo courtesy of TSTC.)
Texas Border Business
HARLINGEN, Texas – More than 40 Texas State Technical College students with their resumes and cover letters in hand greeted area business and industry representatives who served as interviewers/coaches at a recent Interview Practicum presented by TSTC’s Career Services department.
The event focused on preparing spring 2023 graduation candidates for real-life job interviews.
The Interview Practicum consisted of three rounds of 20-minute practice interviews, with a different interviewer/coach for each round.
Drake Everett, who is a TSTC Career Services representative, was the event’s project coordinator. He said the students were pleased with the event’s outcome.
“Our team observed facial reactions, body language and professionalism by each student,” he said. “This Interview Practicum is set up for students to craft their interviewing skills as they near program completion.”
Participating TSTC programs included Building Construction Technology, Dental Hygiene and Wind Energy Technology.
Martin Perez, of Harlingen, is studying for a certificate of completion in Wind Energy Technology. He said the event was helpful.
“The feedback I was given was to focus on professional and positive words,” he said. “I was asked, ‘How do you plan to keep up with the developments in your industry as you evolve professionally?’ I thought about how technology in the wind energy field is continuously changing and how to incorporate that in my response.”
Luz Gonzalez, of Harlingen, is studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree in Dental Hygiene. The fourth-semester student said her interview experience was positive.
“I was informed that I’m well educated and have great confidence,” she said. “A tip that I can share is to have trust in your program instructors when preparing for this type of event. They are the professionals who are guiding us in our future career.”
Santa Gonzalez, senior talent acquisition and staffing specialist for the Brownsville Public Utilities Board, said she was a returning interviewer for the event.
“I enjoyed mentoring the students from the various programs,” she said. “I offered feedback regarding their responses and ways to improve their resumes. Many of the individuals were well spoken, professionally dressed and well prepared.”
Armando Benavides, workforce outreach specialist for Workforce Solutions in McAllen, said he was impressed by the Interview Practicum.
“Many students came dressed for success and with the tools needed to make an impression,” he said. “A critique I suggested is that they introduce themselves by their full name. I also asked, ‘What else have you done in your past that can bring value to your interview?’ It’s important for the students to connect their past work history to the position when they discuss their qualifications.”
At each session’s conclusion, the students filled out an assessment questionnaire to rate themselves in areas such as appearance, leadership, resume writing and working with people.
The next Interview Practicum is scheduled for the summer semester.
A specimen of Stolas sp. (Chrysomelidae), a First-in-Port pest interception realized by CBP Agriculture Specialists at the Progreso Port of Entry. USCBP Image
Texas Border Business
PROGRESO, Texas – Agriculture Specialists with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Progreso Port of Entry intercepted a “First in Port” pest, a tortoise beetle found with a pineapple shipment.
“CBP Agriculture Specialists play a vital role in safeguarding our frontline by protecting the agriculture industry which in turn protects our economy. The vigilance displayed by CBP Agriculture Specialists at the Port of Progreso is a prime example of their commitment to the CBP mission,” said Port Director Walter Weaver, Progreso/Donna Port of Entry.
The interception occurred on March 7, 2023, at the Progreso International Bridge during an examination of a Mexican tractor trailer carrying fresh pineapple. During examination of the trailer floor, CBP Agriculture Specialists discovered a tortoise beetle. The beetle was submitted for identification to a local identifier, an entomologist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture on March 7, 2023. The initial pest identification was confirmed as belonging to the genus Stolas sp. (Chrysomelidae), a First-in-Port interception, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Systematic Entomology Laboratory, Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. on March 8, 2023. The pineapple shipment was refused entry and the commodity re-exported to Mexico.
Insects in the Chrysomelidae family, also known as leaf beetles, are further classified as tortoise beetles in the subfamily, Cassidinae for their tortoise shaped carapace, which the genus Stolas sp., belongs to. They are known to feed on leaves and plant material. The Stolas genus is a known invasive pest in the U.S. and is deemed harmful to the U.S. agriculture industry, which in turn can have a detrimental impact on the U.S. economy.
Packages containing 454 pounds of marijuana seized by CBP officers at World Trade Bridge. USCBP Image
Texas Border Business
LAREDO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers assigned to the World Trade Bridge seized marijuana that totaled over $1,000,000 in street value.
“Frontline officers at the World Trade Bridge demonstrated exceptional effort in effectively disrupting this drug smuggling attempt,” said Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry. “Their targeting strategies have helped reduce the flow of illicit drugs into the country.”
The seizure occurred on Thursday, March 9 at the World Trade Bridge, when a CBP officer referred a 2008 Freightliner tractor trailer manifesting a commercial shipment of uncoated paperboard for secondary inspection. Following a canine and non-intrusive inspection system examination, CBP officers discovered a total of 454 pounds of alleged marijuana within the commodity.
The narcotics had a street value of $1,015,992.
CBP seized the narcotics. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents are investigating the seizure.
Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Sector Border Patrol agents arrested three gang members, including one with an extensive criminal record. USCBP Image
Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Sector Border Patrol agents arrested three gang members, including one with an extensive criminal record.
On March 12, Brownsville agents apprehended a Mexican migrant with an extensive criminal history to include evading arrest and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The migrant also was identified with the Paisa gang.
On March 10, McAllen agents apprehended a group of three individuals in Mission; one being a Mara-Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang member.
On March 9, Brownsville agents apprehended seven subjects near Brownsville. One subject was an 18th Street gang member.
RGV Sector leads the nation in gang member encounters this fiscal year with 181 of the 282 total. Gang encounters are up 3.5 percent over FY22TD and 352 percent over FY21TD. Additionally, RGV has apprehended 75 percent of the MS-13 gang members and 77 percent of the 18th Street gang members caught on the southwest border.
“The men and women of the Rio Grande Valley Sector are identifying and classifying these people through expanded interviews, advanced targeting, and working directly with personnel in the Northern Triangle countries who are critical in validating the criminal histories of these dangerous people,” said Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez.
Border Patrol Agents remain vigilant in their mission of protecting the border, which includes identifying and keeping gang members, many with criminal records, out of communities and off our streets.
Governor Greg Abbott debuted the Laredo Police Department’s (LPD) new Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) Center during a ribbon cutting ceremony in Laredo. Photo: Office of the Governor
Texas Border Business
AUSTIN, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott debuted the Laredo Police Department’s (LPD) new Texas Anti-Gang (TAG) Center during a ribbon cutting ceremony in Laredo. As the ninth of its kind in Texas, the Laredo TAG Center will collaborate with other law enforcement agencies on the investigation and arrest of criminal gangs, organized crime such as Mexican drug cartels, and violent crime in the Laredo area.
Photo: Office of the Governor
“Laredo is a vibrant city and a hub of international commerce, and we know that safe communities promote robust business,” said Governor Abbott. “This new anti-gang center will help us achieve the goal of keeping Laredo a safe city. Gang activity is not unique to Laredo—it spans across Texas and is growing more dangerous by the day. Our job is to find these criminal elements, arrest them, and put them out of business. I want to thank all law enforcement officers involved for your hard work and collaboration cracking down on gang violence to ensure the safety of Texas communities.”
The Governor was joined at the ribbon cutting ceremony by Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw and LPD Acting Chief Steve Landin, as well as other federal, state, and local officials. Following his remarks, Governor Abbott presented LPD Acting Chief Landin with a proclamation in recognition of today’s Laredo TAG Center ribbon cutting.
Photo: Office of the Governor
Funded by the Governor’s Public Safety Office, TAG Centers bring together local, state, and federal law enforcement and prosecutor offices through strategic partnerships and targeted investigative efforts that act as a force multiplier in joint gang enforcement operations. The Laredo TAG Center joins others in the following regions: Dallas-Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston, Lubbock, McAllen, San Antonio, Tyler, and Waco.
Governor Greg Abbott today congratulated Texans and Texas employers on helping our state lead the nation in job growth, following the news showing Texas led all states with 654,100 jobs added January 2022 to January 2023. image for illustration purposes
Texas Border Business
AUSTIN, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott today congratulated Texans and Texas employers on helping our state lead the nation in job growth, following the news showing Texas led all states with 654,100 jobs added January 2022 to January 2023. Over those 12 months, Texas grew jobs at 5.0 percent, outpacing the national rate of 3.3 percent.
“Texas leads the nation once again, creating more jobs last year than any other state and growing faster than the nation as a whole,” said Governor Greg Abbott. “I am proud that more Texans are working than ever before, and I thank Texas employers for their ongoing investments in the best workforce in America. Texas offers unmatched economic opportunities for hardworking Texans across this great state, but we cannot be complacent as we build the Texas of tomorrow. In this legislative session, we will continue expanding opportunity by cutting property taxes and investing in workforce development, infrastructure upgrades, and strategic economic development tools to ensure Texas remains the best state to live, work, build a business, and raise a family.”
Today’s U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment release follows the Governor’s announcement on Friday celebrating Texas surpassing its all-time record for total jobs in January for the 16th consecutive month with a new high of 13,782,300 total jobs.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) head football coach Travis Bush announced on Monday the hiring of Jeff Bowen, who spent the last four seasons as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Northeastern State,to be the first offensive line coach in program history. UTRGV Image
Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) head football coach Travis Bush announced on Monday the hiring of Jeff Bowen, who spent the last four seasons as the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach at Northeastern State,to be the first offensive line coach in program history.
Bush and Bowen previously worked together during UTSA’s inaugural season in 2011, when Bush was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and Bowen was a graduate assistant working with the offensive line and tight ends.
Bush was also part of the coaching staff at Texas State when Bowen was an offensive lineman from 2006-08. Bush was the wide receivers coach in 2006 before being promoted to associate head coach/co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach for the next three seasons.
Together, Bush and Bowen helped Texas State to rank fifth in the FCS in total offense and fourth in scoring offense in 2008.
“Two words describe Jeff Bowen: ‘Texas tough,’” Bush said. “Jeff may be the toughest person I’ve ever met. I watched Jeff walk on our team at Texas State as an undersized center. Not only did he earn the starting job and a scholarship, but Jeff was an FCS All-American while anchoring one of the top offenses in the country. Not many people know, but Jeff played half the season with a broken snapping hand and slipped discs in his back, and he never missed a snap. I want to be on Jeff’s team no matter where we’re at. We hired him at UTSA right out of college and we’re excited to hire him again. It’s been amazing to watch his progress as a coach throughout the years, working his way up to be a coordinator. He coaches exactly the way he played: tough. If you’re an offensive lineman, you want to come play for this guy.”
Bowen has significant prior Division I experience, including as the tight ends coach at Stephen F. Austin in 2018, the offensive line coach at Northwestern State in 2017, the tight ends and assistant offensive line coach at Northwestern State from 2014-15, and as a graduate assistant at UTSA from 2011-13 and Texas State in 2010. Bowen also served as the offensive line coach at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M Junior College in 2016. Throughout his career, Bowen has been responsible for recruiting areas including the DFW metroplex, Central Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Iowa.
During the 2017 season, Bowen helped the Northwestern State offense improve in both total offense and scoring offense, leading to a four-win improvement from their 2016 campaign.
While at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, Bowen saw four of his five sophomore offensive linemen sign with FBS teams. He tutored first-team all-conference linemen Larry Joubert and Sammy Bernard as well as honorable mention all-conference selections Davis Harker and Kris’Sean Edwards. Joubert signed with Oklahoma State, Bernard with New Mexico, and Harker and Edwards earned scholarships at New Mexico State. Bowen’s offensive line helped the Golden Norse average 40 points and 530 yards of total offense per game in 2016, increasing their scoring by a touchdown and upping their yardage by more than 130 yards per game.
Bowen was an integral part of Northwestern State setting a multitude of single-season program records on offense in 2014. He assisted in building an offensive line that helped Northwestern State accumulate a school-record 4,948 yards of total offense, while setting additional single-season marks for first downs (274), first downs through the air (140), completions (262), completion percentage (67.2) and passing yardage (2,864).
Bowen served as a graduate assistant for the offensive line and tight ends during UTSA’s first three seasons of competition (2011-13). Bowen helped UTSA to an 8-4 overall record and a 3-3 mark in the Western Athletic Conference in the program’s second season of existence in 2012. The campaign was highlighted by historic wins against South Alabama, the program’s first road and FBS victory, and New Mexico State, its first conference win. The offense averaged 31.2 points and 390.2 yards per game as the offensive line paved the way for 1,911 yards and 21 touchdowns on the ground, allowing just seven sacks in 368 passing attempts. Bowen worked directly with offensive guard Scott Inskeep, who earned All-WAC Second Team honors.
Bowen started his coaching career as a graduate assistant and interior offensive line coach at Texas State in 2010 and was responsible for both the centers and guards.
“I’m very excited to move to the Valley and have the chance to make history here,” Bowen said “It’s a huge blessing to not only be a part of this, but get to work with Coach Bush again, someone who I know is an incredible leader. We’re going to do something special here and #RallyTheValley behind a program of which everyone can be proud.”
A native of North Richland Hills, Texas, Bowen was an offensive lineman at Texas State from 2006-08. As a senior, Bowen earned All-Southland First Team and honorable mention FCS All-American accolades while also earning the Bobcats’ John O’Hara Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award. Additionally, he was a member of the Southland Commissioner’s Honor Roll in both 2007 and 2008.
Bowen began his collegiate football career at East Texas Baptist University where he was named team captain as a sophomore in 2005.
As a prep player, Bowen was a three-year letter winner at Birdville High School near Fort Worth. A two-year team captain, he earned first-team all-district honors as a senior and was an honorable mention selection as a junior.
Bowen graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas State in 2008 before earning a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction from UTSA in 2013.
The SPI Chamber Island Ambassadors joined together Thursday, March 9thfor the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at Jonah and the Whale. Courtesy Image
Texas Border Business
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas – The SPI Chamber Island Ambassadors joined together Thursday, March 9thfor the Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting at Jonah and the Whale. It was wonderful! It has been a long road, but it has finally happened, and we could not be more excited about them being open to the public.
If you were unable to attend the Grand Opening you have to stop by and check it out. You will be amazed and impressed with everything from the floors, to the murals on the walls, to the awesome merchandise.
South Texas College has partnered with SafeGuard Insurance Agency, to offer a first-of-its-kind Property and Casualty Insurance License Preparation course. STC Image
Texas Border Business
By Amanda Sotelo
With the demand for insurance agents rising across the region, state and nation, South Texas College has partnered with SafeGuard Insurance Agency, to offer a first-of-its-kind course that will prepare students to enter the insurance industry.
STC Dean for Continuing, Professional and Workforce Education Olivia de la Rosa, said introducing The Property and Casualty Insurance License Preparation Course is a new venture for the college, one that she said will bring professional opportunities to those in the area.
“We’re excited to be able to provide our community with another program that will help individuals not only obtain a job at a sustainable wage, but build a career,” said De la Rosa.
The 18-hour, $126 course offered through STC’s Continuing Education department, begins March 28, and prepares students to sit for the Texas Department of Insurance Property and Casualty Exam, which when successfully passed allows an individual to become a licensed insurance agent.
Once licensed, a person can then sell auto, home and business insurance, according to SafeGuard Agency Principal (owner) Abraham C. Padron.
“We were really inspired to work with STC because of the hundreds of programs they offer and the partnerships they have formed across our region,” said Padron. “This is one more way for STC to change lives. They’re going to help us fill a need, a demand for skilled insurance professionals.”
McAllen-based SafeGuard Insurance Agency has offices from Laredo to Brownsville and offers more than 13 types of insurance ranging from home, auto, business to health, motorcycles, recreational vehicles and pets.
Padron said the agency also works on a national level with organizations such as the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of America, which is encouraging local agents to take part in recruitment and training efforts.
Padron and his brother, former NASA aerospace engineer and SafeGuard Insurance Agency Operations Manager Juan Padron, will be teaching the course. Together the siblings have over 40 years of combined insurance experience.
“Our goal is to gauge the appetite of those in our community interested in becoming insurance professionals,” said Abraham. “This is the first step toward an exciting and rewarding career and we encourage anyone interested in making this a career, not just a job, to enroll. They’ll be gaining a great deal of in-depth knowledge into our industry.”
Abraham added that the outlook for an insurance professional is positive with successful agents in his office making anywhere from $67,000 to more than $100,000 per year.
The profession is projected to grow over the next decade with approximately 52,700 possible openings, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“The demand occupation list from our local workforce board, shows that there is a demand for insurance sales agents in our area, so we know that individuals who enroll in the program and pass their licensing exam will be able to find employment,” said De la rosa. “We are grateful to the Padrons for making us aware of the need that exists in this industry and for working with us to develop this program.”
Abraham said he looks forward to growing the partnership with STC and expanding on the programs they can offer those looking to build careers in the insurance industry.
For more information or to enroll in STC’s Property and Casualty Insurance License Preparation Course, contact STC’s Continuing, Professional and Workforce Education department at 956-872-1693 or visit https://www.southtexascollege.edu/cpit/cpwe.html.
