Texas Border Business
On November 6, 2018, Commissioners of the City of Weslaco unanimously approved the appointment of Benita R. Valadez as the newest member of the Board of Directors for the Economic Development Corporation of Weslaco.
Valadez, owner of American Financial Bureau since 1989, accepted the appointment by saying, “I love the city of Weslaco and am excited to be a part of its growth. I look forward to working closely with each of the members on the board and the EDC staff and I believe that my career as a successful businesswoman in Weslaco will help me understand the incentive options that we offer to prospective businesses.”
“Mrs. Valadez brings a wealth of experience to the EDC Board,” says Marie McDermott, Executive Director of the EDC of Weslaco. “Her volunteer service in Weslaco is well documented and goes back at least 20 years.”
Valadez remembers what she refers to as her first lesson in public speaking when she addressed U.S Senators in Washington D. C. who were considering doing away with the Head Start program. At the time, Valadez was serving on the Hidalgo County Head Start Parent Policy Board. Valadez also served as a member of the board of trustees for Weslaco ISD, which landed her an appointment to the State Legislative Advisory Committee and represented the region of South Texas.
Other boards and committees Valadez served on included the Weslaco Museum, the Knapp Hospital Board, Red Coat Ambassadors, the Hidalgo County Civil Service Commission and currently a trustee for the Tropical Texas Behavioral Health Center.
Valadez is filling a board vacancy previously held by Marty Masso, owner of Boots & Jeans of Weslaco. Masso had served for a total of 4 years and during his years of service, he was one of seven board members that reviewed, approved and incentivized the creation of over 550 jobs and $33.9 million in capital investment to Weslaco.
Masso humbly thanked the board for their combined teamwork and dedication to Weslaco’s future growth and for allowing him to be a part of the team. Masso was presented with a commemorative plaque by EDC Board President, Joe Olivarez and applauded by the board and audience attending the meeting.
The EDC board meeting scheduled for December 19, 2018, will be the first meeting Valadez will be attending in her official capacity. EDC board meetings are held every third Wednesday of the month. Six remaining board members on two or three-year terms include Joe Olivarez, President, Diana Fuentes Aguilar, Vice President, Cynthia Cabaza, Secretary, Stephen Charlton, Treasurer, board members, Rudy Cisneros, and Richard Talbert.
