Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
McAllen, Texas – The Greater McAllen Association of Realtors (GMAR) proudly hosted Arturo “Art” Ortega, Chairman and CEO of Freedom Bank, as the honored guest and keynote speaker at the Benefactor Recognition of the Texas Realtors Leadership Program (TRLP). The event, led by GMAR’s 2024 president, Anita Moon, highlighted Ortega’s inspiring journey and his vision for the future of the Rio Grande Valley.
Since assuming her role in December 2023, Anita has been committed to promoting an alliance within GMAR to make a lasting impact beyond real estate transactions. Her focus on building a legacy of professionalism, trust, and community engagement has been evident throughout her leadership. This year, one of her significant initiatives was bringing the TRLP to the Rio Grande Valley to develop strong leaders in the real estate industry and the broader community. “I wanted GMAR to work together to create a lasting impact,” Anita emphasized, “one that extends far beyond the transactions we facilitate.”
Arturo “Art” Ortega, Chairman and CEO of Freedom Bank, gave a keynote speech that resonated deeply with these themes. “First, thank you, Anita, for inviting me to speak. I feel privileged,” Ortega began. He shared his personal story, reflecting on his journey from a small-town upbringing in La Villa, Texas, to becoming a leading figure in the banking industry. “I grew up in the tiny town of La Villa, Texas,” Ortega reminisced, “traveling all the back roads of this valley… seeing it transform into what it is today: a market powerhouse.”
Ortega highlighted the potential he sees in the Rio Grande Valley, emphasizing the importance of vision, commitment, and passion. “You have to be in my mind; when you sign up to be a leader, you will hold yourself to a higher standard,” he stated. Ortega spoke of the immense opportunities available in the region, urging young professionals to seize them. “The Valley will surely become one of the major players in the region of Texas, nationally and internationally,” he predicted, citing the area’s growth and potential in cross-border trade.
Throughout his speech, Ortega stressed the values of hard work and dedication. He recounted his early days as a migrant worker and his journey into the banking world, sharing how these experiences shaped his work ethic and approach to leadership. “If Mr. Glen Roney can own a bank, why can’t I?” Ortega recalled thinking, illustrating his determination to achieve his goals through focus, commitment, and persistence.
Ortega also spoke about the importance of collaboration and community, echoing Anita’s vision for the TRLP. “Banks in this region… we’re all in this together,” he said, emphasizing the united effort required to drive economic growth and development. He highlighted the economic ripple effect of successful real estate transactions, benefiting various sectors and contributing to the region’s prosperity.
Ortega expressed his gratitude by saying, “I consider myself one of the luckiest people in the world, not because of anything material, but because of the blessings in my life. My son, Anthony Ortega, is a lawyer who works in a building we own in Alamo, where he represents his law firm and Amigo Title. My other son, Luke Ortega, is a commercial lender at Freedom Bank. My daughter, Victoria, is my executive assistant, and I couldn’t be prouder of her. She’s a mother of two, holds a master’s degree in business administration, and now helps me manage my various entities, including the bank. I feel incredibly blessed to have all three of my children working within a hundred feet of me, each with their own unique responsibilities, careers, and paths. I often wonder, what did I do to deserve this? Right? And Anita, you’ve highlighted many qualities of a leadership program—congratulations to all of you who have been selected for it.”
In closing, Ortega expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to speak and support the inaugural TRLP class and the Benefactor Recognition event. “Congratulations, that makes you a special class, and all the best to you,” he said, reflecting on the program’s role in cultivating the next generation of leaders. Anita echoed his sentiments, adding, “There’s enough room for everybody because all of us realtors are not at the same brokerage, but we all work really well together to make our clients happy, and families have homes and businesses have their investments.”
The event highlighted the synergy between the real estate and banking industries, with leaders like Ortega and Anita championing a combined approach to building a stronger, more vibrant community. As Anita continues her tenure, the TRLP and GMAR are poised to impact the Rio Grande Valley, shaping a future defined by growth, opportunity, and shared success.
