Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González
Houston, Texas – April 9, 2025 – In a decisive move to propel economic development and solidify its regional leadership, RioPlex has officially announced the formation of its Board of Directors, a strategic body composed of influential binational leaders committed to transforming the economic landscape of South Texas and Northern Tamaulipas, the RioPlex region.
This milestone, effective as of April 1, 2025, signals a new era for RioPlex—a dynamic initiative focused on industrial growth, foreign direct investment, and cross-border trade. With deep ties on both sides of the border, RioPlex is uniquely positioned to drive collaborative efforts that respond to global economic demands while addressing local development needs.
The newly appointed board features a formidable roster of business and civic leaders. Joaquin Spamer baptized them as the “Super Seven”
Mario Reyna, Executive Director RioPlex, Esteban Guerra, Port of Brownsville, Joaquín Spamer, Cil Commodities Integrated Logistics, George Cardenas, Vantage Bank, René Capistrano, Noble Texas Builders, Martín Anzaldúa, Grupo Rio San Juan, Carlos García, Border Trade Alliance
These individuals are more than figureheads—they are economic architects with decades of combined experience in logistics, infrastructure, banking, industrial development, and public-private partnerships. Their collective expertise reflects the cross-sectoral power needed to scale RioPlex’s ambitious vision.
RioPlex is not just another regional development effort—it’s a movement of 3.5M prosperous and diverse community. With 14 international bridges facilitating the flow of goods and people, 52 industrial parks anchoring new investments, three seaports, seven commercial airports, and one Starbase fueling aerospace innovation, the region’s assets are unmatched. But infrastructure alone isn’t enough. What RioPlex brings to the table is coordination—between governments, private enterprise, and nonprofit stakeholders—guided by a shared purpose: to make the Rio Grande Valley and Northern Tamaulipas a cornerstone of North American economic strength.
The creation of the Board comes at a critical time. As global supply chains continue to shift and nearshoring gains momentum, RioPlex is staking its claim as the logical epicenter for advanced manufacturing, logistics, and international commerce. From Roma to Brownsville from Mier to Matamoros, the region is ready to compete—not just locally, but globally.
“The formation of this board is more than symbolic,” said Mario Reyna of RioPlex. “It’s a declaration that we’re serious about driving long-term economic growth and that we’re building the leadership structure to support it.”
That sentiment echoes the strategic focus long championed by regional stakeholders. As reported frequently in Texas Border Business, the Rio Grande Valley and its cross-border sister cities have matured into a sophisticated economic ecosystem. RioPlex’s mission is to harness that momentum, connect the dots, and create an environment where industry thrives, jobs are created, and communities on both sides of the border rise together.
With this new board in place, RioPlex is expected to accelerate initiatives aimed at attracting high-impact investment, modernizing trade infrastructure, and fostering the kind of innovation that will keep the region competitive for decades to come.
This is more than a new chapter—it’s a bold new blueprint for what regional collaboration can achieve. And RioPlex is leading the charge. The celebration took place at the Westin Galleria hotel on the 24th floor.
For more information, visit www.rioplex.com or email invest@rioplex.com
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