BROWNSVILLE, Texas - The Brownsville Chamber of Commerce has finalized its plans for 2025 Brownsville Chamber Washington, D.C. Fly-In.
More than 30 officials from the public and private sectors will participate. They will depart Brownsville on Sept. 9 and return Sept. 11. While in D.C. they will have a private tour of the Capitol, and meet with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, federal agencies, and members of Congress. They are also slated to attend an event at the Mexican Embassy.
“This three-day advocacy trip provides a powerful platform to represent Brownsville at the federal level and champion the issues that matter most to our community,” the Chamber said. “(We will) meet with congressional leaders, federal agencies, and national organizations to discuss top priorities including infrastructure investment, energy development, trade, and small business support.”
In a pitch to its members on the importance of going on the Fly-In, the Chamber said:
“The D.C. Fly-In is your opportunity to directly engage with policymakers in Washington and ensure Brownsville's voice is heard on Capitol Hill. Gain firsthand insight into federal initiatives, share your perspective as a local leader, and help share policies that impact our region.”
The event highlights, the Chamber believes, are:
The Chamber secured sponsorship for the trip from the City of Brownsville (presenting partner), Rio Grande LNG (leading partner), Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation, and SA Recycling Steelcoast (sustaining partner), OmniTrax, Burton, McCumber & Longoria LLC, and Hanson (supporting partner). The venue partner is Access to Health Foundation.
Brownsville Chamber staff participating include Esmeralda Villarreal, president and CEO; Danielle Rodriguez, director of marketing and programs; Astrid Rosales, membership and revenue growth specialist; and Hannia Rovelo, special events coordinator.
In addition to Brownsville Chamber staff, the directory of attendees includes: Brownsville Mayor John Cowen, Jr.: City Commissioners Bryan Martinez, Linda Macias, and Pedro Cardenas; City Manager Helen Ramirez; Assistant City Manager Doroteo Garcia, Jr.; Judith Arrieta Mungia, Mexico’s Consul to Brownsville; Andrea Figueroa, director of community relations for NextDecade/Rio Grande LNG; Rogelio Chanes, intergovernmental relations manager for the City of Brownsville; Liliana Elizondo, a partner with Royston, Rayzor, Vickery & Williams LLP; Samantha Dravis, vice president of government relations for NextDecade/Rio Grande LNG; Shariff Gonnella, president and CEO of Brownsville & Rio Grande International Railway (Omnitrax); Katherine Gordon, manager of governmental affairs for Bechtel Energy; Joe Hernandez, CEO of Valley Regional Medical Center; Mark Hodgson, president and CEO of SA Recycling; Marco Mancillas, director of state government affairs for Agility Holdings Group; Constanza Miner, CAO of Brownsville Public Utilities Board; Griselda Muñoz, assistant director of business retention for the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation (GBIC); Mariene Murillo, executive assistant and community outreach coordinator for GBIC; Ben Peña, a partner with Burton, McCumber & Longoria, LLP; Jovanna Rangel, director of space and energy with GBIC; Antonio ‘Tony’ Rodriguez, director of cargo services, business development, and foreign trade zone administrator for Brownsville Navigation District; Marcela Sáenz, director of marketing and communications for GBIC; Martin Sarkis, board director for Brownsville Public Utilities; Monica Tellam, community relations and communications manager for Bechtel Energy; Paolina Vega, assistant vice president for Hanson Professional Services, Inc., and Daisy Zamora, secretary/treasurer of the board of directors for Brownsville Public Utilities.
Officials with UT-Rio Grande Valley, the Brownsville Licensed Customs Brokers Association, Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation, and the Moody Clinic are also expected to participate.
Those on the Fly-In will promote Brownsville’s federal legislative priorities. The priorities include:
