MCALLEN, RGV – The City of McAllen has just added a new member to its community.
Highly-regarded Xochitl Mora Garcia will be the new Director of McAllen’s Public Information Office. For the past eight years she has held a similar position for the City of Laredo.
“I am so honored at this opportunity to craft the message and image for the City of McAllen, a beautiful city that is doing so many things right,” Mora Garcia said.
“Aside from an amazing quality of life, innovative infrastructure, a growing trade industry and strong relationship with Mexico, as the leading retail center in South Texas, there are many sides to this great community that need to be promoted to people beyond the Rio Grande Valley, beyond Texas. Not only am I ready to get to work as your spokesperson, I am looking forward to establishing myself and my family in this wonderful city that I will soon call home.”
The Public Information Director’s duties include providing new media relations initiatives internally and externally for the department, to build promising relationships for McAllen and to be in charge of citywide communications campaigns.
Mora was selected by the City of McAllen City Manager’s Office after a five-month long search and is expected to help launch McAllen into the next era of community outreach and communication.
“We are excited to welcome Xochitl and look forward to getting her settled into her new role. From a group of phenomenally qualified applicants, we felt she was the best fit for the job,” City Manager Roel “Roy” Rodriguez, P.E. said.
Mora is a St. Mary’s University graduate and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English/Communication Arts. She started her public relations and marketing career at Sosa, Bromley, Aguilar & Associates–what was then the nation’s largest Hispanic ad agency.
The City of Laredo recently called Mora as their own, as she ran its Public Information Office. She lived in the city for 14 years. The person who will be the new interim for Laredo’s PIO is Laredo Police Department’s PIO, Investigator Joey Baeza.
Mora’s last day as head of PR for Laredo is Aug. 5. Her first day as head of PR for McAllen is Aug. 23.
“It is the leading city in the valley. It is going to be my job to set that standard and promote what the city is doing not only for its citizens but for the region and how it’s standing out and growing, economically, in its infrastructure, and providing services to the community. I’ve always felt that McAllen is the heart of the valley,” Mora told the Rio Grande Guardian.
The affection community leaders in Laredo have for Mora was shown in the number of emails Mora and the City of Laredo received after a news release was issued about her pending departure to McAllen.
“I am certain that you will be successful in this new venture. Our loss is McAllen’s gain,” said Miguel A. Conchas, president and CEO of the Laredo Chamber of Commerce.
“Congratulations Xotchil and thank you for your passion and commitment to our border communities. This is not goodbye,” said Ana Rivera Soto, marketing and promotions director for KENS-TV Channel 8 in Laredo.
“Congratulations! It’s been a pleasure working with you. Wishing you nothing but the best for you and your family,” said Larry Sanchez, Webb County Public Information Officer.
“Your commitment to offering excellent customer service and performing as an exceptional team member is admirable and will guide you to continued success,” Julie Bazan said of Mora. Bazan is executive director of the Mid Rio Grande Border Area Health Education Center.
Bill Green, publisher of the Laredo Morning Times, praised Mora for advancing literacy in Laredo. “McAllen has gained a substantial asset,” Green said.
“I admire your hard work and dedication to the City of Laredo, and I know you will do the same for McAllen,” said Jorge Luis Quijano, Public Relations Coordinator for Laredo Energy Arena.
“Congrats on the new position as we all know you definitely deserve this! Your professionalism, dedication and commitment has paid off and I am absolutely sure that McAllen will benefit so much from having you on their side,” said Efrain Perez, Assistant Chief of U.S. Border Patrol in Laredo.
“I would like to personally thank you for always working with Laredo Border Patrol Sector and the United States Border Patrol all together. Partners such as yourself allow the communities we serve to benefit from our working relationships. I am confident that you will work well with Rio Grande Valley Sector as well.”
