Golden Eagle Award Recipients

Texas Border Business

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The RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is busy working on their major fundraising event for the year, the 20th Annual “Noche de Gala” scheduled for Friday, March 8th. This years Gala promises to be the best one yet as being honored as the Golden Eagle Award recipients is one of the most respected and admired couples in the Rio Grande Valley, Dario V. Guerra,(D.V.) Jr and Carmen Robinson Guerra.  The Guerra’s have over 52 years of service to the community.

Mr. Guerra put his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture to work in 1960 by beginning his Ranching Business.  He was almost immediately elected Director of Willacy-Hidalgo Soil & water conservation District where he served as Chairman for 10 years.  He also served for 4 years as Chairman of the Linn Farm Bureau.  In 1966 he began his work at the RGV Livestock Showgrounds.  He served as Chairman, Livestock Committee of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Chamber of Commerce where he served for 2 years.  After serving for only 1 year he was named director of the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show.

Mr. Guerra became a member of a five-man task force sent to Peru as an agricultural adviser with the Texas Partners of the Alliance with Peru.  He was also a member of Public Advisory Committee on Soil & Water Conservation to the Secretary of Agriculture and served 3 years.

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In 1969 he became a Board of Director to the 4-H and Youth Foundation; 1971 Board of Directors and Secretary of the Tropical Texas Center for Mental Health and Retardation.  Dedicated to education, he served on the Board of Directors to the Texas A&I Alumni Association for 3 years; 1972, Recipient of Honorary State Farmer FFA Award; 1973, Chairman of Hidalgo Soil & Water Conservation District; 1975, Chairman of the Hidalgo County Program Building Committee; 1975 to 1980, ASCS Community Committee; 1976 Elected to the Edinburg School District Board of Trustees and in 1977 was named “Man of the Year in Agriculture” by  the Texas County Agricultural Agents Association.

Other voluntary organizations that Mr. Guerra volunteered at the Hidalgo Historical Museum, Heart Fund Drive in Edinburg, and Easter Seals. He was also appointed to different positions for the State of Texas by 3 different Governors: Governor Bill Clements, Ann Richards, Rick Perry, and Gov. George Bush. He served on the Governor’s State Rural Advisory Council, Governor’s Task Force in Agriculture, Texas ASCS State Committee, TASK Force in Agriculture, Ameri Corp Program, Rio Grande Regional Water Authority of Board of Directors.

His love for agriculture and children lured him to participate in the RGV Livestock Show for many years and was even in Grand Marshall of the Parade in 2010 and was honored as the Humanitarian of the Year by Easter Seals in 2010.

Mrs. Carmen Guerra did not stay behind while her husband was donating his time to the community.  She helped raise 6 children:  Dario III, Eduardo, Maricarmen, Ricardo, Martha, and Luis.  She was the President of the PTO at Our Lady of Sorrows, Den Mother for the Cub Scouts, member of the Pan American Round Table and McAllen Junior League of McAllen.  She then became a member to the PTO at St. Josephs School when her kid’s moved on, served for 6 years at the Easter Seals Board and started the Easter Seals Telethon in 1978.  She started the 4H Club in Linn-San Manuel and belonged to the FFA in Edinburg.  She too served at the RGV Livestock Show serving on the Foreign Relations committee for many years.  

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While serving with the Hidalgo County Hidalgo Museum Board in 1975, she started the Ranch Galas. When she served on the board of the IMAS she did the Carnivals during Collage from 1972-78.  In 1998 she was elected Director General of the Alliance of the Pan American Round Tables and visited 17 Countries of The Americas.  She and D.V. were honored as the Outstanding Couple for Easter Seals in 2009 and most recently was named Pan American Woman of the Alliance in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

The Noche de Gala theme this year is “Boots & Bubbly”.  Business Awards will also be awarded such as the Business Woman, Business Man, Small, Medium and Large Corporation at the Gala.  The event will include a dinner, dance with music provided by Roppin’ the Wind, open bar, silent and live auction, and an exciting Las Vegas-style Casino will be this year’s feature.  The event will be held at Mayrin Event Center located in Edinburg from 6:00 pm to 12 midnight.  The Gala is the fundraising event of the year for the Hispanic Chamber, whose funds come merely from the Corporate Partnerships, membership dues, and fundraising events throughout the year.

Tickets for the Gala are $100 per person, reserved tables of 8 are $1,000 and sponsorships are available, which include special seating and extra publicity.  Fancy Western attire is recommended for the evening.

To purchase your tickets and/or for more information on the Noche de Gala call the RGV Hispanic Chamber office at 928-0060.

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