Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
“First of all, I’d like to welcome every one of you to the second award ceremony for the Rio South Texas Education and Community Development Foundation,” began Adam Gonzalez, CEO of COSTEP and RSTEF, during a heartfelt and visionary speech at the RSTEF Annual Awards Ceremony held on March 13, 2025, at the Radisson. Gonzalez, a longtime promotor of economic progress and educational opportunity in Rio South Texas, used this occasion to honor the foundation’s legacy and its promising future.
“It’s a great honor to serve this organization,” Gonzalez said. As he addressed the audience, he reflected on the organization’s roots—starting in 1974, not as a foundation but as a secondary market for student loans. “We securitized student loans going back to 1974,” he recalled, “and it began with the focus of elevating the education levels of our region, which is South Texas, which we now call Rio South Texas.”
A significant highlight of the evening was Gonzalez’s recognition of the dedicated members of the RSTEF Board of Directors, four of whom were in attendance: Mr. James Moore from Laredo, Dr. Miguel Nevarez, Mr. Walter Reyna, and Mr. Jimmy Notzon. “Two of them have been with the organization for over 30 years and have served in many capacities,” Gonzalez noted. “There’s a lot of merit there, and they’ve done a lot for South Texas.”
Gonzalez also expressed gratitude on behalf of Mr. Keith Patrick, RSTEF Board Chair, who sent his regrets for not being able to attend but conveyed appreciation “for everyone’s persistence and what they do for the community and the students and the residents of Rio South Texas.” The full board, which also includes Dr. Kelly Nassour, Dr. Joel Solis, David Oliveira, and Mr. Frank Almaraz, represents a powerhouse of experience and dedication to the region’s development.
Under the board’s leadership, RSTEF has embraced a renewed mission. “In May of 2019, the authority transitioned into the Rio-South Texas Education and Community Development Foundation,” he explained, adopting a mission to ensure residents have the skills, knowledge, and opportunities necessary for meaningful careers and prosperous lives. “It’s a unified mission with COSTEP,” Gonzalez said, adding, “I have the privilege of serving as CEO for both organizations.”
Gonzalez emphasized the impactful role of RSTEF in the region. “Since 2019, RSTEF has awarded $9.4 million to programs across Rio South Texas,” he shared, noting how matching funds doubled that investment to $18.8 million. “So far, 26 programs have been funded,” he said, with institutions such as UTRGV, South Texas College, Texas A&M, Laredo College, , Texas Southmost, and TSTC among the many beneficiaries. “Just this year, the awards total $2.9 million, and with the match, the impact to Rio South Texas is $5.8 million.”
These programs span many priorities: “Advanced industrial robotics programs, several credit recovery programs… biomedical equipment grants, healthcare apprenticeships, STEM tutoring, registered nurse programs, teacher training, CTE pipelines, and scholarships,” Gonzalez listed. “We’re focused on students that had to drop out… and getting them back to earn their certificate and continue their higher education.”
Recognizing those on the front lines of implementation, Gonzalez praised the foundation’s staff. “I have a small staff—they’re the doers behind everything that happens,” he said, smiling, “They just tell me what time and when to show up, and everything magically gets done.” Special recognition was given to Rafael Tapia, the organization’s grant manager, who is instrumental in program evaluation and selection. “He’s under a tight deadline starting July 1st to assess applications… and see which programs will be taken to the committee and the board for approval.”
As the evening drew to a close, Gonzalez once again brought the focus back to the people of Rio South Texas: “I want to thank every one of you who represents an institution here of higher education and other programs that help residents of Rio South Texas in their upward mobility.”
RSTEF, under the leadership of a deeply committed board, continues to transform education and workforce development across the region—one program, one partnership, and one student at a time.
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