Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
MISSION, Texas — Teclo Garcia, president and CEO of the Mission Economic Development Corporation, will retire effective Sept. 11, 2026, concluding a four-year tenure in which he says Mission attracted nearly $400 million in new investment and created about 2,000 jobs.
“I will retire from my position as CEO of the Mission Economic Development Corporation, Executive Director of the Mission Economic Development Authority, and Executive Director of the Mission Redevelopment Authority, effective Sept. 11, 2026,” Garcia said.
Garcia said he became eligible for full retirement this month through the Texas Municipal Retirement System after more than 19 years of municipal service in McAllen, Laredo and Mission.
“During my 4-year tenure here, I enjoyed leading a team of economic development professionals to attract nearly $400 million in new investment and create about 2,000 new jobs for Mission,” Garcia said.
His tenure included recruiting and expanding companies such as Ubiquity, Stanley Black & Decker, and Bettcher Manufacturing. Mission EDC also supported new commercial and residential investment and promoted the Mission Expressway Business Park as part of the city’s industrial development efforts.
Garcia also promoted the Anzalduas International Bridge as a commercial gateway and worked to connect Mission’s economic development efforts with cross-border trade, manufacturing, and investment.
Small-business development was another component of Mission EDC’s work during Garcia’s tenure. Programs including Ruby Red Ventures and Build Mission provided financial support to local businesses, while the Mission Ready program created paid internship opportunities connecting students with employers.
“Meanwhile, I launched and managed programs that invested millions into local small businesses and worked to develop three bond programs that are pouring millions into local projects and infrastructure,” Garcia said.
Mission EDC also expanded its economic relationship with San Luis Potosí, Mexico, during Garcia’s tenure. The relationship resulted in a permanent San Luis Potosí presence at Mission EDC’s Center for Education and Economic Development, or CEED. Garcia was later designated an Honorary Representative of San Luis Potosí.
Garcia also cited Mission EDC’s financial and organizational performance among the accomplishments of his tenure. He said the organization received economic excellence recognition from the Texas Economic Development Council in 2026, earned the highest marks from independent external auditors for three consecutive years, and received an A- rating from national bond-rating agencies.
“The MEDC earned the highest marks from independent, external auditors three years running and received an A- rating from the national bond-rating agencies,” Garcia said.
Garcia’s departure will close more than 19 years of municipal service across three South Texas cities. His four years at Mission EDC included industrial recruitment, private investment, small-business programs, workforce initiatives, infrastructure financing and efforts to expand Mission’s economic relationships with Mexico.
Garcia ended his retirement announcement with a brief statement about what comes next.
“Looking forward to new adventures!” he said.
