Texas Border Business
As originally published in Texas Border Business newsprint edition February 2019
It is amazing what one man can do. Not just any man, but a man of the stature of Glen Roney. He is no longer with us. However, there are so many things he created, and thepeople he touched that he will be remembered for generations to come.
As he was building the seventeen-floorMcAllen State Bank skyscraper, I called his office on Broadway where IBC Bank now operates. This happened around the end of 1978. My interest was to do a report on the progress of the construction. I didn’t get to meet Mr. Roney, but he instructed Doug Schneider to show me around the building as seen in the photo here.
I remember climbing to the top of the building, even though unfinished, everything looked great, an impressive panorama view from every direction and from any of the unfinished floors.
I got to meet Mr. Roney face to face in April 1987, that’s about 31 years ago. From there I became a trusted friend. The meeting was an interview about banking and the twin plant concept (Maquila). We all know how vital banking is for every community. However, the topic was left as a secondary item only to discuss the steady growth of jobs in the area due to the positive impact the maquila industry was having in the region.
Back then, Mr. Roney was the Charmain of the McAllen Industrial Foundation (MIF), which had already gotten the McAllen Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) approved. By the time I spoke to him, the FTZ was in full swing. At the time, he told me that that it consisted of over 775 acres. More than 400 companies were already located in the FTZ, representing 42 countries across the globe.
I am not going to tell you more about my interview with Mr. Roney, I will publish the story in the Texas Border Business January 2018 edition, as another way to remember this great man.
This month, you’ll get to read what we have done throughout the year. I know you’ll enjoy this issue.
To read article about Doug Schneider, please click here.
