MCALLEN, Texas - Mario Reyna, one of the lead organizers of the Hidalgo County Prosperity Task Force, has provided more information on the upcoming “CEOs Unite. Let’s Get Uncomfortable” forum.
Reyna said his group is proud to partner with Futuro RGV and South Texas College (STC) to host the forum. In an exclusive video interview with the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service, Reyna said the forum will focus on economic and educational data about the region along with challenges faced by business leaders.
Reyna provided this information about the program:
The forum will be hosted at the STC Student Union Ballroom on Friday, December 8. Registration and check-in opens at 8 AM. South Texas College will be offering attendees a welcome breakfast before the forum commences at 9 AM.
9:15 AM:
Eddie Aldrete, Principal at Aldrete Strategic Partners
Jon Hockenyos, President of TXP, Inc
10 AM:
Dr. Kevin Peek, Economics Professor at South Texas College
11 AM:
Joaquin Spamer, President of CIL Group
James W. Collins, President of Mayfair | Rioco Partners
Val LaMantia, Managing Partner of L&F Distributors
The Prosperity Task Force was set up by Hidalgo County Judge Richard Cortez to address poverty.
“The mission of the prosperity Task Force is to create more human capital. And the reason we want to host this forum is because we want to have an impact on the extremely high levels of poverty that exist here in our county,” Reyna said.
“So what are we doing? We are going to host this forum and we are going to be looking at data. And, we will have some very powerful speakers at this event.”
Reyna said four economists will be providing data from their studies on the makeup of the Valley’s current workforce. He said they will also be making recommendations of the sort of industries Hidalgo County should be looking to attract. Two of the economists will be from STC
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Two from STC, one from Texas A&M University and one from UT-Rio Grande Valley.
“Their focus is to study our workforce and tell us what industries are best suited for Hidalgo County. And they have made remarkable progress on their research. They will present that information,” Reyna said.
"I have seen some of the results of their research. One thing that is extremely profound is that within the last five years, they tell me, that we have been graduated over 73,000 individuals from a certificate all the way to a PhD in our county. Seventy-three thousand individuals have completed something beyond a high school education. That at is extremely significant.”
“Reyna added: “We’re very excited about this forum.”
Editor's Note: Click here to register for the forum.
