Texas Border Business
Nowadays it takes a lot of law enforcement personnel and equipment to keep our border safe. It is a daily challenge; however, it is always faced by those in charge of this difficult and dangerous job.
Texas Border Business met with Victor Escalon, Jr. the Regional Director for the Department of Public Safety South Texas Region (DPS); it was then that we learned about the sophistication of the equipment used for surveillance to protect Texans.
Escalon is a dedicated professional with many years of experience with DPS. It has been 26 years and going, that’s what gives him the experience to head this dynamic position.
In this issue, Escalon is our feature story, get to know him and learn how they deploy troopers all over the district in an effort to deter and fight criminals.
On another note related to the U.S./Mexico border; the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), has awarded a contract to construct approximately 15 miles of new border wall system within U.S. Border Patrol’s (USBP) Rio Grande Valley (RGV) Sector located in Starr County, Texas.
Congratulations to Natasha del Barrio! Bert Ogden Auto Group and the Rio Grande Valley celebrated one of their own as Valley native, Natasha, the CEO of the Bert Ogden Auto Group, was honored in Las Vegas as a recipient of Automotive News’ 40 Under 40 Awards.
40 Under 40 recognizes the top 40 Automotive professionals in the nation under 40 years old. Natasha began her career with Bert Ogden while still in high school; she was a part-time marketing assistant working 10 hours a week. More in this issue.
Pharr officials are always on the move. Pharr city leaders visited with members of Congress in Washington, D.C. to discuss priorities and funding for Pharr, the Pharr International Bridge, and regional projects. City Commissioner Daniel Chavez; Director of External Affairs Cynthia Garza-Reyes, and Public Affairs Liaison Michael Vargas represented the City of Pharr during the visit.
Edinburg welcomes Mr. Ron Garza as their new City manager. He served as Executive Director of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council (LRGVDC), the region’s Council of Governments and Economic Development District. At LRGVDC, Mr. Garza unified cities and counties of the Rio Grande Valley with programs and projects aimed towards the advancement of the region’s health, safety, and economic prosperity.
Mission City Manager Randy Perez can now add the Walk of Fame to his list of accolades. Perez was recognized at the annual Walk of Fame dinner at Payne Arena on March 4, 2020.
“It comes as no surprise that Randy would be chosen for this recognition. He is incredibly deserving and exemplifies what it means to be a great leader,” Mission Mayor Dr. Armando O’Caña said. “The council and I are thankful that he continues to deliver guidance for our city.”
The new USMCA trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada is beginning to benefit South Texas. On March 3, 2020, McAllen Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) welcomed two prominent manufacturers to the industrial area of McAllen; they are Mercorp and Tetakawi. Both broke ground on a first-of-its-kind industrial park located directly across from McAllen Economic Development Corporation headquarters.
During the ceremony, MEDC officials announced that Mercorp, Inc. is building a new 35,000 square foot facility with a capital investment of $3 million. The new industrial venture will create approximately 100 new jobs over the next five years. According to McAllen EDC, more factories are coming to McAllen and the Region.
Enjoy!
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