Texas Border Business –
By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez
When Dora Brown springs into action, no matter the complexity, the project is done. Dora, as she is known in the communities where IBC has a footprint, can be called a Superwoman. She has a big heart and is always ready to help.
Many of you know her, but for those that don’t, she is the Senior Vice President of Marketing, a position she has held since 1992 at International Bank of Commerce McAllen or as it is best-known- IBC-McAllen.
Dora is very passionately involved in whatever she does, and her duties include anything related to advertising, public relations, community outreach, and financial education in the local schools.
What do you mean with financial education in local schools? “IBC takes their responsibility very serious by underwriting projects that involve and benefit the community,” she pointed out. One example is the introduction of the minitropolis concept in 1997 that has now grown to include 2 IBC branches; H.E.B., Walmart and Target stores; city council; TV and radio stations; a newspaper; I.R.S. office; police department; post office; pizza delivery; and a recycling center.
It sounds unbelievable, but this reporter can attest to the fact that it exists, and it performs like a real city, the only difference is that the children of an elementary school are the ones who manage it.
Dora supports this project, better known as Houstonville, an in-school learning laboratory inside Sam Houston Elementary in McAllen that functions much like a city or town. She said that this year this project would be celebrating its 17th anniversary thanks to the support of IBC Bank and several community partners.
She also pointed out that the fundamental goal of the program is to help students gain an understanding of financial concepts while also learning the value of leadership and responsibility that will help each of them maintain sensible habits as adults.
Dora explained that the minitropolis concept was first established by IBC Bank in the Rio Grande Valley and the success of the project has prompted IBC to expand the concept to other markets in cities across Texas and Oklahoma.
But what excites Dora the most in her daily and busy professional life? “Everything,” she continued, “The people I work with, my staff, and most of all the ability and support that I have from IBC Bank to go out and work with different organizations in the community.” Needless to say, she enjoys doing what she does and plans to do it for a long time.
Dora pointed out that IBC Bank is a community bank with large banking capabilities, and she is proud to say that IBC can make substantial loans and provide an array of customized products without losing the in-person, quality care service of a community bank.
She runs her marketing department with only a few or like she says, “I have four very good employees who are very loyal to the bank and to me.” She feels very lucky to have them because they are very dedicated.
Dora was born and raised in Port Isabel, Texas. To Rogelio Villarreal and Gloria Villarreal. “My father passed away at 29 and left Mom and seven children behind; the oldest was ten, the youngest 6 months old,” she said. Dora attributes her mother’s success in raising them to the Grace of God, and Mom’s love, attention, and willingness to push them forward.
Dora graduated from Port Isabel High School in 1966, attended Texas Southmost College in Brownville, Lee College in Baytown, Texas, Bank Marketing School at the University of Colorado and other Banking Schools.
Are you married? “Yes, to my wonderful husband Joe Brown.”
How did you meet your husband? “I met Joe while I worked at Merchants Marine Bank in Port Isabel and he was with the United States Coast Guard stationed on South Padre Island.”
Was it love at first sight? “Oh, no. I did not even like him because he was always joking. He kept coming to the bank and asking me out, until I finally said yes, so that he would leave me alone. I am glad I did because I love to dance, and we went dancing and just had a great time. Well, the rest is history and 42 years later we are still enjoying our time together in love.”
Joe and Dora married in 1972, and moved to Edinburg with a brand new baby in 1980, and then on June 17, 1985 on Father’s Day, they moved to McAllen. She said that this move was one of the best things that ever happened to them, “Our new baby Jamie-Lynne was our Good Luck charm.”
Dora felt that everything seemed to be falling into place once they settled in McAllen. “I started a new job at Valley Federal Savings & Loan, Joe was working at Security State Bank, we had a new baby, and a new home and ever since then I think we have been very happy.”
What are the things that you most admire of your husband? “I love the way Joe has always been caring and loving, not only with me, but with our daughter ‘the Princess’, my family, and friends,” she said.
Dora also said that her Mother has lived with them for most of their married life, and the care and attention that Joe gives Doña Gloria is unmeasurable.
Dora points out that her Mom is 86 years old, and Joe brings her whatever she wants or needs and sometimes even if she does not need it, whatever will make her happy. “Joe is very smart, works hard, and he is a very honest and responsible man.” She said, “If he tells you he is going to do something, he does it. I do not know what I did to deserve him, but I am glad God put him in my life.”
When the time arrived for Jamie-Lynne to attend college, Dora said that those were the hardest times of her life. Often Joe and friends used to say that Dora had the ‘I miss Jamie attitude’. “And why not.” She says, “I was so used to doing everything with her and now, sigh…Well, there was Joe to cheer me up, but somehow it was not the same. Needless to say, I went to Southwest Texas State College in New Braunfels often (now called Texas State University), and when Jamie-Lynne graduated and moved to Austin, I went to Austin.”
How important is it for you to be a Mom? “You do not have enough paper for me to let you know how important my daughter is in my life.”
Dora said emphatically, “I had four miscarriages before Jamie–Lynne came into the world, having the chance to be called “Mom” or “Mommy” is one of the most important titles that I ever care to have in my life.”
At that point, Dora reflects and says, “When she was born I just thought that God had blessed me with the most beautiful and sweet little angel. I remember holding her and kept thinking, is she mine and to this day she is still my sweet daughter, our sweet daughter.”
The love of a Mother is one that totally embraces, and this story about Dora goes beyond embracing and shows the strong and genuine love that a Mother feels for her child.
It was very inspiring to hear Dora say, “I love her so much. She’s my reason for living and I thank God for her every day. Sometimes, when I feel so tired from working on various things that I do for my community, I ask God that whatever blessings he wants to send me for what I do, to send them all to my daughter, my husband, and Mom.”
If you had a chance to relive your personal and professional life again, what would you do differently? “Yes and no. I thought about this long and hard. Yes; there are some things I wish I had done, and mainly I wished God had left Dad in this world a few more years and we would not have gone through the hardships that we did growing up. But then again, good or bad, that’s what made me who I am today. No, I would not change anything because then it would be like altering the past. And if that had happened probably I would not have met the love of my life, Joe Brown and without Joe I certainly would not have had the greatest gift from God, my beautiful little angel, Jamie-Lynne and all the wonderful friends that we have now.”
When you leave this earth, how would you like to be remembered? “As a loving, caring, giving and nurturing, Mother, daughter, sister, and wife, and a friend to many.”
Where do you get your inspiration to do what you do? “Mom has a saying in Spanish, “Haz el bien y no te fijes a quien” (Do good, and do not look at whom). In this regard, I have always enjoyed working and doing things for my family, friends and relatives. I guess that will stay with me for the rest of my life; but in essence I do things because my heart feels good,” she finalized.
Dora Brown was selected to be the Texas Border Business Exclusive May 2014 feature story because she is a leader of this community. Dora constantly works with non-profit organizations and also helps the business community in everyway possible through her association with local chambers of commerce. She is a unique woman, a tireless respected professional in this community that wants to give more. Dora, Happy Mother’s Day! TBB
Dora Works With Her Community:
*1998 McAllen Woman of the Year
*Pharr Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow,
*2000 she received the Betty Scharff National Hosts Award
*Muscular Dystrophy Association Outstanding Woman Leadership Award
*United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Ultimate Latina Award
*2010 and the 2011 Community First Choice Power Good Neighbor Award
*2008 Volunteer of the Year Award from the McAllen Chamber of Commerce
*Rio Grande Valley Easter Seals Society
*2004-2005 McAllen Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman
*Served Texas Bankers Association Foundation Board
*Museum of South Texas Board
*Brown is an alumnus of Leadership Texas Class of 2004
*Leadership America 2005
*Dora served for 20 years Chairman for the Candlelight McAllen Posada Parade
*Brown actively with Minitropolis Financial Literacy School Program at Sam Houston Elementary
*2010 Past Chairwoman for the Idea Academy Gala
*Past chairman of the March of Dimes & Diabetes Walk-a-thon
*Board Member Comfort House Services, Inc.
*Rio Grande Regional Hospital Foundation Board
*Texas State University Advisory Board Council
*McAllen Education Foundation Board
*RGV Diabetes Association
*Easter Seals Society
*McAllen Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet Gala Chairman.
Written by Roberto Hugo Gonzalez, the 2009 SBA Journalist of the Year Award Winner and a 2009 and 2012 Paul Harris Award recipient.
