EDINBURG, Texas — Following a unanimous resolution by the Hidalgo County Commissioners Court formally recognizing the newly created Hidalgo County Future Leaders Council (HCFLC), co-founder Skyler Howell says the 16-member advisory body is moving swiftly to convert its mission of youth engagement into concrete county policy recommendations.
The initiative, created to bridge local youth with county leadership and curb the regional "brain drain" across the Rio Grande Valley, was officially sanctioned at a recent Commissioners Court meeting presided over by Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez.
In an interview with the Rio Grande Guardian, Howell outlined how the council grew from an initial guest column into a countywide program, detailing its strategic roadmap, data collection framework, and multi-phase research agenda.
The idea for the council first took root when Howell penned an op-ed published by the Rio Grande Guardian, advocating for an official platform to empower young adults and keep talented professionals in South Texas.
"I recognized that Hidalgo County and the RGV as a whole, we have such an amazing pool of young talent here in the region," Howell said. "Unfortunately, what we've been seeing is that young talent has been leaving the Valley... We're having to cope with the loss as a region, and two, we're having to compete with that young talent wherever they go."
Following the op-ed, Howell reached out directly to County Judge Richard F. Cortez in early spring. Cortez—known for his analytical, data-driven approach to regional economic development—welcomed the proposal and mobilized his office to construct the framework alongside a core group of young community leaders.
"I give the utmost credit to Judge Richard Cortez for believing in this idea," Howell noted. "It took a leap of faith from Judge Cortez... He understands better than anyone that the key to the future is our youth."
Howell emphasized that while youth advisory groups exist in municipal settings or academic institutions, the HCFLC represents a pioneering model at the county level.
"When I was doing my research... I wasn't able to find any exact specific program that we're trying to do here," Howell said. "There's a real responsibility to make sure that we get this program right because it'll set the tone for future programs... not only for the region, but for the entire state of Texas."
While the HCFLC functions in an advisory capacity rather than setting policy, its inaugural year is structured to generate data-backed solutions to retain emerging leaders across key industries like law, business, research, and public policy.
The council’s operational plan unfolds across two distinct phases:
"Any recommendations that we make without data, to me, they're no good," Howell explained. "Judge Cortez is very analytical... That’s why the first half of this program is going to be all about listening. The second half is going to be about analyzing that data and turning it into tangible recommendations."
The 16 inaugural members represent diverse geographic and professional backgrounds across Hidalgo County, selected through a competitive application process to ensure grassroots representation.
In addition to strong backing from Judge Cortez, the initiative received unanimous support from all four county commissioners upon passage of the formal resolution.
Looking ahead, Howell expects the council to forge partnerships with regional entities, including local business organizations like the Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, while serving as a blueprint for neighboring counties such as Cameron, Willacy, and Starr.
"My ultimate hope is that other counties will look at what we're doing and want to start something similar," Howell said. "If you put young people in a position to provide meaningful service, not only are those young people going to thrive, but that community is going to thrive as well."
Editor's Note: To listen to the full podcast interview with Skyler Howell, visit the Rio Grande Guardian's official podcast platform. For updates on the council, follow their official channel on Instagram at @HidalgoCountyFLC
