BROWNSVILLE, RGV - Olga Gonzalez, chairwoman of the board of directors at Brownsville Chamber of Commerce, has written to members to announce that President and CEO Melinda Rodriguez has left the organization.
Gonzalez said Rodriguez has taken up a new position, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Workforce Training at Texas Southmost College.
Here is Gonzalez's letter to chamber members:
Esmy VillarrealDear members,
It is with mixed feelings that I’m writing to inform you of the resignation of Melinda Rodriguez, President/CEO, of the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce (BCOC), effective September 20, 2016. It is with warmest personal regards that we wish Melinda success as she assumes her new position, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Workforce Training, at Texas Southmost College. This is undeniably a gain for them. We respect and honor her decision to accept this career opportunity. Her last day at the Chamber is Friday, October 7, 2016.
Since joining the Chamber in 2015, her contribution was essential to our success in taking our beloved Chamber to the next level. We recognize her great work ethic, passion, and drive to keep thriving while we faced many organizational challenges. We appreciate Melinda’s efforts and thank her for the unconditional commitment, leadership, and dedication throughout this time.
Esmy Villarreal, Membership Services Director, has been appointed as the Chamber Interim President/CEO. Esmy brings a wealth of experience in management and has previously served as a non-profit executive director. She has also served as board director of the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce for five years and chaired the Membership Development Committee in 2010, 2013, and 2015. Esmy can be reached at (956) 542-4341 and at esmy@brownsvillechamber.com.
On behalf of everyone at the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce, I would like to thank Melinda for her contributions and dedicated service to the Chamber and to congratulate her for this new milestone in her career. I also welcome Esmy to her new role, confident that the Chamber is in good hands and on a continued road to success.
Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at (956) 455-6553.
Best regards,
Olga Gonzalez
Chairwoman of the Board
Brownsville Chamber of Commerce
Women's Business Center
One of Rodriguez's major accomplishments in recent weeks has been working with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office to secure a new Women’s Business Center at the Chamber offices.
SBA’s Office of Women’s Business Ownership has awarded a grant of up to $150,000 for the Women’s Business Center of Cameron County.
“The SBA’s Women’s Business Center Program is a dedicated resource partner, and one of the most valuable forms of assistance available to women entrepreneurs. The new center will help drive economic growth in Cameron County,” SBA District Director Angela Burton said. “The funding of this new center expands our role in helping women, who are essential job creators in our communities.”
Burton said the center will be required to match federal grant funds with private contributions. She said the SBA Women’s Business Centers represent a national network of more than 100 educational and training centers designed to assist women in starting and growing small businesses. The centers offer one-on-one counseling, networking events, training workshops, technical assistance, and mentoring to women entrepreneurs on various entrepreneurship topics, including business startup, financial management, marketing and procurement.
The Women’s Business Centers each year counsel and train nearly 150,000 women nationwide, Burton said. According to recent U.S. Census data, there are 9.8 million women-owned businesses in the U.S. They employ more than eight million workers, and generate more than $1.4 trillion in revenues, contributing four percent of business revenues.
Editor's Note: The main image accompanying this story shows Melinda Rodriguez at a recent Brownsville Chamber of Commerce meeting. The meeting was held to plan for Brownsville Day at the State Capitol.
