Texas Border Business
McALLEN, Texas — Scouting America’s Rio Grande Council will host its annual Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at the McAllen Convention Center.
The evening’s keynote speaker and introducing the honoree will be COL Mike Fossum ’80, USAFR (Ret.), NASA astronaut, former Commander of the International Space Station, and current Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Texas A&M University at Galveston. Fossum, a McAllen public school alumnus and Distinguished Eagle Scout, completed three NASA missions, spending 194 days in space and performing seven spacewalks. In addition to his leadership role at Texas A&M, he oversees the Texas A&M Maritime Academy and serves as Executive Professor of Maritime Administration.
This year’s honoree, Judge Ernie Aliseda ’88, serves as Associate Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen. A retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, former State District Judge, and past Regent of The University of Texas System, In addition to his leadership role at texas a&M, Aliseda also serves as a Municipal Judge for the City of McAllen and Flotilla Commander in the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Both COL Fossum and Judge Aliseda are proud graduates of McAllen public schools and former members of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, exemplifying Scouting America’s values of service, leadership, and integrity.
Event Details:Reception: 6:00p.m.
Dinner & Live Auction: 7:00 p.m.
McAllen Convention Center, 700 Convention Center Blvd., McAllen, TX
