Texas Border Business
By DAVID A. DÍAZ
Additional insights into the local and regional economies will be offered in Edinburg during the 13th Annual State of Real Estate Forum, sponsored by Edwards Abstract and Title Co., to be held during the morning of Thursday, March 2, 2017 at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance, located at 118 Paseo Del Prado.
Edinburg Mayor Richard García and McAllen Mayor James E. Darling will participate as guest speakers during the gathering, which already has more than 250 business, real estate, community, economic development and political leaders confirmed to attend the event, which begins at 9 a.m., according to Elva Jackson Garza, Vice-President & Marketing Manager, Edward Abstract and Title Co.
Garza is a former member of the Board of Directors of the Edinburg EDC.
García will make his presentation from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m, followed by Darling, who will deliver his remarks from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Dr. Ted C. Jones, Senior Vice President–Chief Economist for Stewart Title Guaranty Company and Director of Investor Relations for Stewart Information Services Corporation (NYSE-STC) will headline the Forum as the keynote speaker as he has for the past 11 years.
Jones’ presentation for 2017 is titled Things Change – The Outlook for Real Estate and the Economy.
He will provide insight and statistics on the national, state and local job markets and specific local real estate market analysis and various other indicators that affect the overall economy.
“I want to personally extend an invitation to real estate industry and business professionals to join Edwards at the Forum. Dr. Jones travels across the country as he makes over 150 presentations and we are proud that he makes time every year to visit Edwards and the Rio Grande Valley,” said Byron Jay Lewis, President and CEO of Edwards.
“We are pleased to welcome Mayor Richard García and Mayor Jim Darling as guest speakers. As the region grows, these two leaders are in the forefront of change of the Valley’s landscape,” added Lewis.
Richard H. García is a Federal Criminal Law Attorney and a senior partner with an established law firm.
A native of Edinburg, García graduated from Edinburg High School and continued his education at the University of Texas-Pan American and received a Juris Doctorate at Texas Southern University in Houston.
He served as Edinburg Municipal Judge from 1975-1978 and was a County Court-at-Law Judge for 16 years. García served as chair of the Texas Border Coalition twice and is proud to have been appointed to serve on the Texas Adult Probation Commission.
He is currently the President of the Board of Directors of the Edinburg Economic Development Corporation.
James E. Darling is an attorney specializing in local government law (28 years city attorney – City of McAllen, and other governmental entities) and he is licensed by the Texas Supreme Court, Southern District of Texas Federal Court.
Darling is a graduate of the Baylor Law School (1977) and Baylor University (BA 1975).
Some of his current leadership roles in the community include Chairman, Lower Rio Grande River Water Authority; Board Member, Region M Water Planning Group; Board Member, McAllen Economic Development Corporation; Board Member, McAllen Foreign Trade Zone, Inc.; Chairman Hidalgo-McAllen International Bridge Board; Chairman, Anzaldúas International Bridge Board, and President,Texas Municipal League, Region 12.
He has served as mayor for two terms.
Edwards Abstract and Title Co. operates full service offices in Hidalgo and Cameron Counties in the cities of Brownsville, Edinburg, Harlingen, McAllen, and South Padre Island.
The Edinburg EDC Board of Directors is comprised of Mayor Richard García as President, Harvey Rodríguez, Jr. as Vice President, Elías Longoria, Jr. as Secretary/Treasurer, and Richard Rupert and Dr. Peter Dabrowski as Members.
Agustín García, Jr. is Executive Director for the Edinburg EDC, which is the jobs-creation arm of the Edinburg Mayor and Edinburg City Council.
Agustín García, Jr. and Mayor Richard García are not related.
