Texas Border Business
EDINBURG, Texas — The Edinburg Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. and Veronica Gonzales as the distinguished recipients of the 2025 Man and Woman of the Year Awards. Both honorees will be recognized at the Chamber’s Centennial Installation and Awards Banquet, an elegant evening themed “Roaring 20s,” on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. at the Region One Education Service Center, located at 1900 W. Schunior St., Edinburg, TX.
The banquet will celebrate a century of excellence, a year of achievement, and the induction of the Chamber’s new leadership team. The event will also honor Ruben James De Jesus, Immediate Past President, for his dedicated service, and welcome Aaron “Nick” Cantu as the new President of the Board.
2025 Man of the Year: Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr.
Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. has served the City of Edinburg with integrity and dedication for more than two decades. His leadership includes notable roles as Executive Director of the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation and City Manager for nearly 16 years, where he helped drive economic growth and strengthen the city’s foundation for future success.
Mayor Garza is being recognized for his 20 years of dedicated service to the City of Edinburg and his deep involvement in community outreach programs, including the 20/40 Committee. His leadership has contributed to Edinburg’s recognition as a four-time All-America City, a testament to his vision and commitment to civic excellence. Additionally, his courageous advocacy during his battle with prostate cancer has inspired many, serving as a powerful reminder of resilience, purpose, and the importance of health and community engagement.
As mayor, Garza has continued to champion transparency, accountability, and long-term planning through the Edinburg 2040 Vision Plan, prioritizing infrastructure investment and quality-of-life improvements across all parts of the city.
Throughout his career, Mayor Garza has received numerous honors, including his induction into the Rio Grande Valley Walk of Fame (2015), recognition as Honorary Chair of the Boys & Girls Club of Edinburg RGV Annual Benefit (2017), and the Vice President Al Gore Hammer Award for Government Innovation (1999).
He is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma and holds both a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Brownsville.
He is married to Maria Esquivel Garza and is a father to two children, Ramiro Andres and Juliana Audrina. Garza was elected Mayor of Edinburg in 2021.
2025 Woman of the Year: Veronica Gonzales
Veronica Gonzales is a respected leader with over two decades of experience in law, government, and higher education. As Senior Vice President for Governmental and Community Relations at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), she oversees local, state, and federal governmental relations, as well as community engagement, workforce, and economic development initiatives.
Ms. Gonzales’ dedication to government and community relations at UTRGV has been second to none throughout her career, both within and beyond the university. She is recognized as a true leader in the public and private sectors, demonstrating tireless commitment to education, governmental affairs, community engagement, economic development, and numerous non-profit organizations in Edinburg and throughout the region. Her tenure at UTRGV has been instrumental in shaping the institution’s growth, helping it reach the milestone of its 10th anniversary, and leaving a lasting legacy for future generations of students.
A trailblazer and advocate for education, Gonzales was the first in her family to graduate from college. She earned a Bachelor of Arts with honors from Southwest Texas State University and a Juris Doctor from The University of Texas at Austin School of Law.
Prior to her tenure at UTRGV, Gonzales served as a Texas State Representative, where she championed legislation to improve education, healthcare, and economic opportunity across the Rio Grande Valley. She continues to serve on numerous boards throughout the state and is married to Rick Villarreal, a local business owner.
The Edinburg Chamber’s Centennial Banquet will bring together business and community leaders to celebrate this year’s accomplishments and recognize the remarkable individuals and businesses shaping Edinburg’s future.
For more information or to reserve your seat, please contact the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce at (956) 383-4974 or visit edinburg.com.
