A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF THE HARLINGEN AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | January — February 2015
In This Issue
Chamber
Board of Directors
Frank Espinoza, Chair
Dr. Linda T. Burke, Immediate Past Chair
Ricky Leal, Chair-Elect
Michael Allex, Secretary
Lyle Garza,Treasurer
Carlos Cuellar
Rick Ledesma
Josh Fields
Lupe Gonzales
Brenda Ivory
Matt Stone
Sue Ann Taubert
New Members ¦ January 2015 — February 2015
Ribbon Cuttings ¦ January 2015 — February 2015
Board Member Spotlight ¦ Rick Ledesma
Youth Leadership Harlingen
Business & Industry
Creativity Culture and Quality of Life
Leadership Harlingen
City Government
Harlingen-San Benito Day at the Capitol
Prime Time Business Expo ¦ March 2015
New Member Reception ¦ January 2015
Welcome Reception for Marv Esterly ¦ February 2015
Lunch & Learn ¦ January 2015 & February 2015
Business After Hours Mixer at Papa Joe’s Burgers & Stuff
Buenos Dias Harlingen! ¦ January 2015 & February 2015
Welcome
Members
OG2 Productions
Tejas Tax Lending
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
New York Life Insurance Company
Stephen Muñoz
Windsor Atrium Post Acute Healthcare
Icon Technologies of South Texas
OGA Charters, LLC
Museums of San Benito
We Cuztom
VIP Full Service Salon & Spa
Space Exploration Technologies
(SpaceX)
McAllen Careers Institute
TITANIUM PARTNERS
City of Harlingen
Harlingen Medical Center
Valley Baptist Health System
PLATINUM PARTNERS
Boggus Ford
First Community Bank
Long Chilton, LLP
GOLD PARTNERS
Aloe Laboratories
Clermont LLC
Hino Gas Sales, Inc.
Muniz Rio Grande Pharmacy
Nevill Business Machines
Pena Eye Institute
Valley International Airport
Valley Morning Star
SILVER PARTNERS
AEP Texas
IBC Bank
Linda Trevino Burke, D.D.S.
Lone Star National Bank
Janine Marie Photography
Platinum Surgery Center
Muniz Rio Grande Pharmacy, LLC
Salinas, Allen & Schmitt, L.L.P.
Shepard Walton King Insurance Group
Texas Gas Service
United Launch Alliance
Valhaven Wealth
BRONZE PARTNERS
Bert Ogden Harlingen Auto Plaza
MOOD: South Texas
Bill Guthrie Sports
Nolan Perez, MD Gastroenterology
Card Investment Group, Inc.
Port of Harlingen Authority
Documation
RGV Credit Union
Gillman Auto Group
Security Service Federal Credit Union
Frost Bank
Texas Regional Bank
Harlingen Economic Development
Uhlhorn Family Partnerships
Corp.
United Healthcare
MacPherson’s Medical Supply
Valley Baptist Legacy Foundation
McCullough & McCullough
Attorney’s at Law
January — February 2015
Ribbon Cuttings
&
Groundbreakings
House of Frames
New Location—Downtown Harlingen
Wednesday, Jan. 14 ¦ 11:30 a.m.
212 W. Jackson St.
Harlingen, TX 78550
Sugar Magnolia Photographs
Friday, Jan. 16 ¦ 2:00 p.m.
111 N. 3rd St.
Harlingen, TX 78550
Residence Inn—Marriott
Thursday, Jan. 22 ¦ 11:30 a.m.
109 Bass Pro Dr.
Harlingen, TX 78550
Any Chamber Member moving to
a new location, remodeling its facility,
under new ownership,
launching a new product,
or celebrating a milestone anniversary is worthy of a
ribbon cutting ceremony.
To set up a ribbon cutting date,
contact Vanessa Camacho,
our Manager of Operations & Business Development,
at 956.423.5440 or [email protected]
UPCOMING
Ribbon Cuttings
I
Vantage at Harlingen
Thursday, January 29 ¦ 5:30 p.m.
902 Palm Court Dr.
Sam’s Club
March 20 ¦ 10:00 a.m.
1 Year Anniversary ¦ 621 N. Exp. 77
Harlingen, TX 78550
Sylvan Learning Center
Thursday, February 12 ¦ 11:00 a.m.
1310 N. Ed Carey Dr.
San Jacinto Title Services
May 7 ¦ 5:00 p.m.
Grand Opening¦ 1906 E. Tyler Ave, Ste. G
Harlingen, Texas 78552
Windsor Atrium Post Acute Healthcare
Thursday, March 5 ¦ 4:30 p.m.
1814 Atrium Place
d SPOTLIGHT
BoarMember
INTRODUCING OUR NEWEST BOARD MEMBER— Rick Ledesma
Rick Ledesma
Chief Executive Officer
DataLogic Software
April 1998 - Present
(16 years 11 months)
Rick Ledesma founded
DataLogic Software, Inc. in
1996.
DataLogic provides Software As A Service (SaaS) to
the home care industry. Our
flagship software, Vesta, is
used by home care agencies
to
manage claims processing,
scheduling, EVV (electronic
visit verification), payroll and
regulatory management.
DataLogic is a member
of the Texas Association
of Homecare and Hospice
(TAHC).
Mr. Ledesma was named
TAHC Member of the year in
2006. Mr. Ledesma enjoys
working with technology to
create productivity tools and
follows the latest technology
trends to incorporate new
systems into his company's products. Mr. Ledesma
has served his community
through public board
appointments, including
Texas Emerging Technology
Fund (ETF) in 2009,
appointed by Governor Rick
Perry Chairman of Valley
International Airport Board
in 2009 Chairman of
Harlingen Economic
Development Corporation in
2012 Member of Rio Grande
Valley Chamber of Commerce Member of Harlingen
Area Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Ledesma lives in Palm
Valley, Texas with his wife,
Glenda and son, Alejandro.
Skills & Expertise
Software Development
Software Architectural Design
User Experience Design
User Interface Design
Education
University of California, Berkeley
Bachelor's Degree
University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business
Master of Business Administration
(M.B.A.)
Grade: Cum Laude
Business & Industry
January 26, 2015
David Smith of Smith Reagan Insurance Agency
started the session day with fun leadership activities.
Pentair Valves & Controls ¦ 5801 E. Harrison Ave.
Harlingen, TX
Mexican Snacks, Inc. ¦ 826 N. FM 509
Harlingen, TX
First Community Bank ¦ 806 S. 77 Sunshine Strip
Harlingen, TX
Creativity, Culture & Quality of Life
February 9, 2015
22 high school sophomores, juniors and seniors of
the Youth Leadership Harlingen program visited
local businesses and explored the creativity,
culture and quality of life in Harlingen on Monday,
February 9, 2015.
Participating businesses were Marine Military
Academy, Colletti’s Italian Restaurant, Downtown
Harlingen and Loaves & Fishes of the Rio Grande
Valley.
“Many of the students knew about Marine Military
Academy, but they didn’t know what our school
actually was for,” said Retired Gunnery Sergeant,
Adrian Arranaga. “It was good to be able to show
the students around our facility and explain to
them what are school does.”
Students started the day with a trip to Marine
Military Academy where they toured the facility
and visited the Iwo Jima Monument.
Youth Leadership Harlingen students travelled to
Colletti’s Italian Restaurant for lunch followed by a
tour of Jackson Street with Downtown Harlingen
Manager, Cheryl LaBerge.
“I enjoyed the interaction that I had with the
students,” said Downtown Harlingen Manager,
Cheryl LaBerge. “It was important for them to
know the history of the community and what the
downtown community offers.”
Monday’s session closed with a tour of Loaves &
Fishes of the Rio Grande Valley and presentation
by Executive Director of Loaves & Fishes, Pastor Bill
Reagan.
“This year’s collection of students was a particularly
thoughtful group of young individuals who were
interested in what our facility offers,” said Pastor
Bill Reagan. “I explained the six different programs
that we offer and how we facilitate the needs of our
community.”
For more information on Youth Leadership
Harlingen, contact the Harlingen Area Chamber of
Commerce at 956-423-5440.
City Government
January 15, 2015
Sponsored By:
Harlingen Manufacturer’s Association
City government opened up their doors to Class 29 of Leadership
Harlingen on Thursday, January 15, 2015.
Six selected officials from the City of Harlingen, along with Darrel
Gunn, General Manager of Harlingen Water Works System, Raudel
Garza, President of the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation and Marvin Esterly, newly appointed Director of Aviation at
Valley International Airport gave presentations for the Leadership
Harlingen class.
The group enjoyed a mid-day break at the Harlingen Area Chamber
of Commerce with lunch prepared by Rio Grande Grill.
The morning kicked off at the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce with a welcoming address from the Honorable Judge Carlos
Cascos, Incoming Secretary of State.
The afternoon consisted of visits and tours of Harlingen Water
Works Station, the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation
and Valley International Airport.
The group traveled to the City Commission Chambers on 134 E.
Van Buren Avenue where they were welcomed by Mayor Chris
Boswell. City Manager, Carlos Yerena, gave an overview of the
City’s organizational chart and department responsibilities. City
Secretary, Amanda Elizondo, explained how municipal law and
ordinances are developed, implemented and enforced. Rick Bilbie
described his role and purpose as City Attorney. Leaders concluded
their visit with a presentation about services that the City offers by
Assistant City Manager, Dan Serna.
Leaders travelled to Lon C. Hill Building for a tour and presentation
regarding the purpose and need for building codes and regulations
by Ken Clark, Director of Planning and Development.
Leadership Harlingen’s City Government session day was sponsored by the Harlingen Manufacturer’s Association.
Harlingen-San Benito Day at the C apitol
February 10th & 11th ¦ Austin, TX
AUSTIN, Texas — History was made when
local leaders ventured to the State Capitol in
Austin for the first-ever Harlingen-San Benito
Day on Tuesday, February 10, 2015.
“History was made today,” said the Honorable
Mayor of San Benito, Celeste Sanchez, “For
the first time ever, Harlingen and San Benito
worked together to present their legislative
issues at the Capitol.”
Leadership Harlingen Class 29 state
government session day coincided
with Harlingen-San Benito Day at the
Capitol. Leaders were able to meet with
officials from various state organizations
including the Office of the Governor, Texas
Association of Business, Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board and the Texas
Comptroller.
A private meeting led by
Representative Eddie Lucio III,
City of Harlingen Mayor Chris
Boswell and other community
leaders from the Harlingen
Chamber and the City of San
Benito were allowed to meet
with the Texas House Speaker,
Joe Straus, to advocate and
discuss key issues relative to
Chamber membership, the
Cities of Harlingen and San
Benito and Cameron County.
Leaders asked Speaker Straus
for his support of the two
cities’ legislative agenda
so that both cities and the
region can continue to prosper
economically.
Legislative Consultant, Terral Smith discusses the
legislative process
City leaders from both communities
were recognized on the House Floor
by Representative Oscar Longoria on
Wednesday, February 11, 2015.
“I’m extremely pleased with
the turnout we received both at
the reception and our Capitol
visit because it gave us a greater
opportunity to advocate for our
members and cities in terms of
promoting our businesses and
ensuring future economic prosperity
with these legislators,” said Frank
Espinoza, Harlingen Chamber of
Commerce Board Chairman and
Manager of Community Affairs for
AEP Texas.
Chris Boswell, City Commissioners Mike
Mezmar, Victor Leal and Chino Sanchez, Harlingen Economic Development Corporation Executive Director
Raudel Garza, and the Port of Harlingen Port Director, Walker Smith.
The Honorable Mayor of San Benito
Celeste Sanchez, City Commissioner Tony Gonzales and San Benito
Economic Development Corporation
Executive Director, Salomon Torres
also attended the event.
Cameron County Commissioner
Dan Sanchez, David Allex, and Pete
Sepulveda from Cameron County
Regional Mobility Authority, State
District Judge David Sanchez and
Group photo with Lt. Governor, Dan Patrick the Port of Brownsville Port Director, Eddie Campirano, also attended
the reception representing Cameron
A Legislative Reception was
County.
held on Tuesday evening at
the Austin Club where newly“When large and small businesses come toappointed Secretary of State,
gether and cities work together, it shows that
Carlos Cascos, was the keynote
we can have a greater impact not just for the
speaker. Approximately
individual cities in the Rio Grande Valley
100 people representing 20
but for the entire region,” said Chris GonzaLegislative Offices were present
les, President & CEO of the Harlingen Area
including TxDOT Executive
Chamber of Commerce.
Director, Joe Weber, Senator
Eddie Lucio Jr., Representatives
Rene Oliveira, Eddie Lucio III,
and Oscar Longoria.
Glenn Hegardiscusses his role as State Comptroller. Other key city and county leaders and officials in attendance
include: The Honorable Mayor
Harlingen-San Benito Day at the Capitol sponsors include: Harlingen Medical Center, Valley
Baptist Health System, Muniz Rio Grande
Pharmacy, Valley International Airport, Harlingen EDC, City of San Benito, Valley International Airport, Shepard Walton King Insurance
Group, TSTC and AEP Texas.
Harlingen-San Benito
Legislative Reception
Featuring
The Honorable Judge Carlos Cascos, Secretary of State
Sponsored By
Terral Smith and William Yarnell
Legislative Consultants
for the City of Harlingen
2015
PRIME Time
March 5, 2015 • Casa de amistad
Congratulations Harlingen Country Club for winning this year’s
“Most Decorative Booth” Award at the Mardi Gras-themed Business Expo!
Sponsors
MEDLAND ASSOCIATES
NIGHT & WEEKEND CLINIC
The Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce
had its 2015 Prime Time event, the Chamber’s
premiere business showcase and networking
event.
The event was held on Thursday, March 5 from
4:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. at Casa de Amistad on
1204 Fair Park Blvd. in Harlingen, Texas. The
theme for this year’s expo was Mardi Gras and
encouraged all participants to go along with the
theme.
The 2015 Prime Time event was a business
expo for Chamber members to showcase their
products and services. Business community
and Chamber members were encouraged to
attend, find out more about member businesses and organizations and make new contacts.
There were over 50 Harlingen Chamber Member vendors at the expo on Thursday evening.
PostNet-Mission’s Annette Chavez-Alvarado and her
mother enjoyed handing out their wheel-of-fortune
giveaways at the business expo!
This was the Chamber’s premiere networking
event of the year. It was an opportunity for
members of the Chamber to network with one
another as well as allow members of the community to come by and see what area businesses had to offer.
The evening included music, food, beverages,
door prizes, a photo booth and everything one
would expect at a Mardi Gras event.
The Prime Time Title sponsors are Beyond Arts
Gallery & Lapidary Studio, Digital Print Shoppe,
Medland Associates Night & Weekend Clinic
and Sarah Book Society. Supporting sponsors
include: Burke Children’s Dentistry, First Community Bank, Platinum Surgery Center, Valley
Business Report and VTX1. Restaurant and
Catering sponsors include: Stefano’s Brooklyn
Pizza, Big John’s BBQ, Ice Ice Baby Snowcones
and Chili’s.
Orlando Gonzales of OG2 Productions provided the
awesome sound for the event!
Allegra Printing had some fun while taking pictures
with their Mardi Gras cut-out!
nEW Member Reception
Thursday, January 8, 2015
The Harlingen Area
Chamber of Commerce
had its quarterly New
Member Reception at the
Harlingen Area Chamber
of Commerce on Thursday,
January 8, 2015 from 4:00
p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The first portion of
the evening included a
Victor Leal giving his presentation about the
presentation by Victor Leal,
Chamber’s website.
Owner of CyberNation.
Leal’s presentation showcased how
new and existing members can
create and further develop their
webpage on the Chamber’s
website, www.harlingen.com.
A mixer took place after the
presentation.
The New Member Reception was
sponsored by Allstate Insurance
Exclusive Agent, Mario Garcia.
Sponsored By:
Chamber Board Member, Michael Allex and ChairElect, Ricky Leal at the New Member Reception
Welcome Reception for Marv Esterly
Thursday, February 26, 2015
The Harlingen Area
Chamber of Commerce
hosted a welcome
reception for Valley
International Airport’s
new Director of Aviation,
Marv Esterly, on Thursday,
February 26, 2015 from
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
serves over 700,000
passengers annually.
The welcome reception
was sponsored by
Residence Inn—Marriott
and took place in
the newly renovated
Chamber lobby.
In Celebration of Southwest Airlines
on their 40 Year Partnership
With Valley International Airport
Chamber members
had the opportunity to
meet Esterly, as well as
celebrate the 40-year
partnership between
Valley International
Airport and Southwest
Airlines.
Esterly succeeds Michael
Browning and has over
25 years of experience—
most notably from
Midland International Air
and Space Port — and
is currently in his third
month as Director of
Aviation of the region’s
busiest airport, which
Sponsored By:
Mayor Boswell, Marv Esterly and Chamber Board Chairman, Frank
Espinoza take the time for a photo opp during the reception.
Featuring: Dr. Barbara Baggerly-Hinojosa
January 2015—March 2015
The Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce had its
monthly Lunch & Learn with Dr. Barbara BaggerlyHinojosa, PhD at the Chamber on Friday, January 23,
2015 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Dr. Baggerly-Hinojosa is
the creator of Leadership
Empowerment
Group,
LLC located at 2000
E. Expressway 83 in
Mercedes. She is the
author of several books
on leadership including,
“Are You a 10? The Ten
Characteristics of a Servant
Leader.”
Baggerly-Hinojosa has been
featured as a leadership
expert for media outlets
including: The Mercedes
Enterprise Newspaper, The
Examiner-Corpus
Christi
and Valley Business Report.
Baggerly-Hinojosa’s
presentation
titled,
“Listening,
Empathy
&
Healing” was the first
of three seminars that
showcased the ten different
characteristics of a servant
leader.
Friday’s
Lunch
&
Learn
presentation
introduced what servant
leadership is and the first
three characteristics of a
servant leader—listening,
empathy and healing.
Lunch & Learn was
sponsored by Big John’s
Bar-B-Que.
The Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce had its
second monthly Lunch & Learn seminar featuring Dr.
Barbara Baggerly-Hinojosa, PhD at the Chamber on
Friday, February 20, 2015 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Baggerly-Hinojosa’s presentation titled, “Awareness,
Persuasion
and
Conceptualization” was
the second of three
seminars that showcase
the
ten
different
characteristics of a servant
leader. Friday’s Lunch
& Learn presentation
continued to define what
a servant leader is and
the three characteristics
that an individual must
possess in order to
be a servant leader—
awareness,
persuasion
and conceptualization.
Baggerly-Hinojosa
January 2015 Dr.
is the author of several
books
on
leadership
including, “Are You a 10?
The Ten Characteristics of
a Servant Leader.” She is
the creator of Leadership
Empowerment
Group,
LLC located at 2000
E. Expressway 83 in
Mercedes.
Baggerly-Hinojosa’s
training seminars have
inspired and empowered
thousands of people to
pursue their professional
passions
and
move
beyond the traditional
leadership role by exerting
February 2015 leadership as a service to
others.
Lunch & Learn was a free member event sponsored by
Residence Inn-Marriott.
Thursday ¦ January 15, 2015
Papa Joe’s Burgers & Stuff, in
partnership with the Harlingen Area
Chamber of Commerce, hosted
a Business After Hours Mixer on
Thursday, January 15, 2015 from 5:00
p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
In addition to networking
opportunities, customers and attendees
at the mixer had the chance to
experience one of Harlingen’s best kept
secrets for good food and live music.
Papa Joe’s Burgers & Stuff is a locallyBusiness After Hours is an opportunity owned establishment located at 422 N
for Chamber members to network with L St. in Harlingen, TX.
businesses and organizations in the
Harlingen area.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
1st Offical Update of the 84th Legislative Session
With the 84th Legislative Session
under way,
the Chamber invites you to
join the conversation each month
regarding statewide issues
that have potential impacts
on our business community.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Sponsored By:
- Update from the Capitol
- Recap “Harlingen-San Benito Day”
- Preview Harlingen’s official
Statement of Issues
Calender of Events
Meet Your Chamber Staff
Chris Gonzales
President & CEO
[email protected]
Lunch and Learn
Foresight, Stewardship, Growth of People & Building Community
Presented By: Dr. Barbara Baggerly-Hinojosa
Friday, March 20, 2015
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 pm
Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce
311 E. Tyler Ave., Harlingen, TX 78550
Buenos Dias
1st Official Update of 84th Legislative Session
Monday, March 23, 2015
8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce
311 E. Tyler Ave., Harlingen, TX 78550
Febe Zepeda
Events Manager
[email protected]
Vanessa Camacho
Manager of Operations & Business Development
[email protected]
Business After Hours Mixer
Thursday, March 26, 2015
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 pm
Harlingen Country Club
5500 El Camino Real, Harlingen, TX 78552
Make
your business visible.
Become a sponsor of the Chamber’s
weekly publication: Chamber Connect.
Your business logo or advertisement of your choice will
appear as a running header in the section right below the
Newsletter Title.
Also, the bottom portion of the newsletter will serve as a
business card directory.
Contact Vanessa Camacho at 956-423-5440 or [email protected]
Jennifer Crist
Communications Coordinator
[email protected]
Emily Gonzalez
Customer Care Representative
[email protected]
Daniela Quijano
Administrative Assistant
[email protected]