Zambrano currently serves on the board of the PSJA Education Foundation, an entity devoted to offering scholarship opportunities for students heading to college. The foundation also awards grants to teachers for innovative projects and ideas designed to improve teaching and learning. “Last year alone, we were able to raise over $150,000 for scholarships and teacher grants. I have a personal goal every year and last year was my best year so far raising over $30,000. Photo by Roberto H. Gonzalez
Texas Border Business
By J.C. Cruz
When Jesse Zambrano is asked what the future holds for the Rio Grande Valley, his reply is both swift and confident, “I see nothing but opportunity.”
Jesse’s confidence is understandable. As real estate and economic development continue to increase, Jesse finds himself at the right place at the right time. Jesse’s experience in banking and real estate give him a unique competitive advantage when it comes to business law and economic development.
With more than 17 years of combined experience in banking and law, Jesse is adequately situated to best serve and advise his business clients engaged in simple and complex commercial and banking transactions.
After a four-year stint working for a local bank and asset management company, Jesse’s executive and management experience has enhanced his banking and real estate law acumen. “I understand what it takes to run a successful business, and proper legal advice is key if you want to be successful.”
Jesse provides legal counsel, business advice, and litigation support in four distinct areas of law: banking, real estate, business, & personal injury. This combination is also uniquely beneficial to individual and business clients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Being rooted to the community, Jesse recognizes the benefits that come from seeking legal advice from someone familiar with the region and its people.
Jesse and his family moved to the Rio Grande Valley from Mexico when he was eleven years old with no knowledge of the English language. His family settled in San Juan and he attended school at PSJA ISD and The University of Texas Pan-American from graduating in 1998 and 2002 respectively. He then went on to The University of Texas School of Law and graduated in 2005.
He is currently enrolled in the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at SMU and will complete his degree in 2017. “Education is the great equalizer in our society. My parents mortgaged their home to send me to law school because they instilled in me and believed in the power of education. Now is my time to continue to give back to all those that have given me so much.”
Jesse’s roots are deep in the Rio Grande Valley, and his philanthropic and service endeavors in the community are proof of his continued devotion to the community that has given him so many opportunities.
He currently serves on the board of the PSJA Education Foundation, an entity devoted to offering scholarship opportunities for students heading to college. The foundation also awards grants to teachers for innovative projects and ideas designed to improve teaching and learning. “Last year alone, we were able to raise over $150,000 for scholarships and teacher grants. I have a personal goal every year and last year was my best year so far raising over $30,000. It gives me great pleasure to see the students and teachers excited about the funds they receive.”
At the state level, Jesse Zambrano is also a member of The University of Texas Chancellor’s Executive Council Committee. Jesse and the council committee meet three times a year where he participates in dialogues and strategy discussions for the future of the UT System and its many students. “We focus on all 14 educational institutions in the UT System which service over 217,000 students.”
Jesse also funded several endowed scholarships for two of his former mentors, his high school football coach Roy Guzman from PSJA High School and one of his professors at The University of Texas Pan American, Dr. Cynthia Brown. “It’s my way of honoring two individuals that were critical in my educational and professional development. Many students will benefit for years to come from these two scholarships,” he said.
Jesse and the Zambrano Law Firm expect to grow and expand the law practice. “With local economic development increasing, I don’t see challenges;” Jesse said, “I only see opportunity.”
Jesse’s optimism isn’t rooted in hope. His own examination of the current climate is precise. “Banking activity is at an all-time low in past dues and collection work, which means the quality of loans have improved creating more opportunities for lending and economic development.”
How Jesse plans to translate those opportunities into his clients’ advantage is equally precise. “When the economy does well, banks do well, and that requires efficient and effective legal advice and counsel in order to sustain the growth.”
To complement his banking and real estate practice, Jesse also plans to handle personal injury cases. “It is hard to be in the valley and not handle personal injury cases. Personal injury will also be an important part of my law practice as we seek to capitalize on the rapid growth of our area.”
To learn more, visit www.zambranolawfirm.com or stop by the Zambrano Law Firm office at 3900 N. Tenth St., Suite 1055, in McAllen, Texas. TBB
