By Roberto Hugo Gonzalez, Publisher
It is always refreshing to talk to executives and businesspeople about their professional activities. This month, Texas Border Business had the pleasure of talking to an outstanding banking professional.
S. David Deanda, Jr. is the President for Lone Star National Bank. He is a seasoned banker whose first priority is to serve the bank’s 76,000 customers through twenty-seven branches in the Rio Grande Valley and five branches in San Antonio.
Learn why the Small Business Administration recognized his efforts and how a banker with so many business activities deals with stress. Get to know more about him in this issue, as he is the featured exclusive story in our June issue.
Guest writer Nelson Balido says that confusion reigns in the border security debate and asks, Who wants to cover the nearly $1 trillion dollars that flow over our border each year?
Read what THE ECONOMIST’ and our guest writer Ray Perryman says about how the Economy is back to before the recession. However, he notes that other indicators are depressingly off.
Read about a controversial statement of guest writer Ira S Wolfe. He wrote, “People are not a company’s most important asset!” find out more inside these pages.
Learn about five employees with Edwards Abstract and Title Co. that have successfully completed the requirements and passed rigorous examinations to earn certification from The Texas Land Title Association (TLTA).
Find out how Lineage Logistics a warehousing and Logistics Company backed by Bay Grove acquired Loop Cold Storage, Oneida Cold Storage and Millard Refrigerated Services in McAllen.
On another matter, the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, United Way and Wells Fargo joined to promote the creation and growth of micro-enterprises in the McAllen area. The Latina Hope Business Network is designed to facilitate the learning, networking and acting of Spanish speaking micro-entrepreneurs that have a new business idea for a small business and want to move their venture to a more tangible point.
If you have not joined this effort, you should, IBC Bank and the National Hispanic Professional Organization (NHPO) – RGV Chapter, along with other organizations have teamed up to support the Operation Interdependence (OI) – RGV Campaign. OI – RGV is a community-based project led by a committee that raises contributions to make and send care packages for active US troops overseas. Between now and July 2014, IBC and the NHPO are accepting donations of general care items and letters of support for the annual send-off to soldiers, read more inside.
The Rio Grande Partnership launches this summer a regional leadership program and they are taking applicants.
This new academy is to help build more collaboration among Valley cities, counties and other entities. The RGV Partnership board is examining the Valley’s toughest challenges from different points of view and Partnership Board Chair Deborah Cordova said the new initiative is reflective of some of the Valley’s best collaboration to date such as when the region was able to establish a medical school. Read more in this issue.
The Democratic nomination for the Hidalgo County Sheriff will be the most interesting issue in a few days. Texas Border Business met separately with two candidates, current interim Sheriff Eddie Guerra and Francisco “Frank” Guerrero.
They told Texas Border Business that they will make changes to eradicate corruption. Both aspiring candidates have extensive law enforcement experience and have considerable strength to get the nomination. Find out what is the strength of each one as they pursue their goals.
I know you will enjoy this issue. It is our biggest issue ever! TBB
