AUSTIN, Texas – The executive director of the RGV Metropolitan Planning Organization says last Thursday was a “momentous day” for the Rio Grande Valley – because banker Alejandro ‘Alex’ Meade, III, of Mission was on the dais for the first time at a meeting of the Texas Transportation Commission.
Meade was appointed a TTC commissioner earlier this year by Gov. Greg Abbott. His confirmation by the Texas Senate came the day before the TTC meeting.
Meade became the first transportation commissioner from the Valley since Ruben R. Cardenas of McAllen. Cardenas served from May 1994 until April 1995. The last transportation commissioner from the border region was Ted Houghton of El Paso. He served from February 2009 until February 2015.
The Texas Transportation Commission has five members, all appointed by the Governor. They oversee the Texas Department of Transportation and are responsible for policymaking regarding the state’s highway system, developing a statewide transportation plan, assisting the development of public transportation, and adopting rules for TxDOT’s operation.
“Today was a momentous day for the Rio Grande Valley and the state of Texas as a whole as Alex Meade took a seat as the latest TxDOT commissioner,” said Andrew Canon, executive director of RGVMPO, in an exclusive interview with the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service. “I’m very excited at the opportunities that will avail themselves now that Alex is serving on the commission.”
Canon pointed out that Meade has made it known that as a commissioner, he is actually serving for all of Texas.
“But, it certainly does not hurt to have someone with the perspective and knowledge that Alex has of the Rio Grande Valley and the culture of our region,” Canon explained.
Canon said it was “awesome” to see the chairman of the RGVMPO, Cameron County Judge Eddie Treviño present for Meade’s debut, as well as Cameron County Commissioner David Garza, Brownsville City Commissioner Nurith Galonsky, Velinda Reyes, chief administrator for external affairs for Hidalgo County Commissioner Ellie Torres, and Pete Sepulveda, executive director of Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority.
“It was great to see Valley leaders welcome the new commissioner to his post. We are eager to begin working with Alex on any questions or inquiries he may have so that, collectively, we can move forward on advancing more and more transportation projects that are needed regionally in the RGV,” Canon said.
Meade, himself, commented on social media. He said: “Wow! I can’t believe I’m official! It is an honor of a lifetime to be able to serve the State of Texas and the RGV in this capacity. Transportation is key to economic development and I’m excited to play a small role in helping Texas remain the best state to do business in.”
Meade thanked Gov. Abbott and state Sen. Juan Hinojosa, whose support he needed during the confirmation process in the Senate.
“Thank you again to Governor Greg Abbott for having the confidence in me to serve in this capacity and to Senator Juan ‘Chuy’ Hinojosa for his guidance and support throughout the senate confirmation process. I’m especially grateful to those that traveled from the RGV, including Texas Regional Bank Board Chairman and CEO, Michael Scaief, and board member, David Garza, to support me in my first TxDOT meeting.
Meade added: “I look forward to visiting every TxDOT district around the state during my term as commissioner. Let the fun begin!”
Sen. Hinojosa introduced Meade during the Senate confirmation hearing on April 17. Hinojosa said that over the last month, Meade has been meeting with members of the Nominations Committee, senators, and House representatives with oversight of TxDOT to get support for his confirmation.
“Congratulations to Commissioner Alex Meade on his confirmation by the Texas Senate to serve on the Texas Transportation Commission. It has been a privilege to work with him through the confirmation process,” Hinojosa said.
“Commissioner Meade received unanimous support from the Nominations Committee and the Senate. I have no doubt that he has the experience from the public and private sectors that have prepared him for this position. I wish Commissioner Meade much success as he begins his important role overseeing the Texas Department of Transportation and our highway system across the state.”
Meade will serve until February 1, 2025.
Biography
Alejandro “Alex” G. Meade, III of Mission is executive vice president of Texas Regional Bank. Previously, he served as the city manager for the City of Pharr and prior to that he served as the chief executive officer of the Mission Economic Development Corporation. He is a board member of the Border Trade Alliance, former board of regent for Texas State Technical College System, and a former member of the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors. He is certified as an economic development finance professional by the National Development Council and a certified public manager by the National Certified Public Manager Consortium. Meade received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics from St. Edward’s University, Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Brownsville, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Texas Pan American. He is also an alumnus of the Texas Lyceum.
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