Employers across the region are looking to hire qualified area residents for good-paying, rewarding careers that require skills beyond high school. To achieve this goal, RGV LEAD works with regional school districts and local industries to strengthen the career pathways and study programs offered to students and increase the percentage of students engaged in high-quality work-based learning by connecting classroom learning to the workplace to help students prepare for future careers.
Right from the start, we customize and co-create. At every step, we tap into our education and industry expertise, which cultivates faster, fresher, more substantial outcomes.
The Rio Grande Valley area of influence is within four Texan counties: Starr County, Hidalgo County, Willacy County, and Cameron County.
Creating the confluence
Leadership
The elected Board of Directors, composed of members affiliated with public, private, and non-profit organizations, governs RGV LEAD. The Board’s primary role is to perform the duties of strategic planning and oversight.
RGV LEAD's leaders come from diverse backgrounds and have expertise and experience in science and technology, medicine, public policy, education, communications, law, and business. Our mission guides our leaders to foster partnerships between education and industry to equip students with college and career readiness that meets the region’s highly skilled workforce demands.
Good people doing good things.
Meet our leaders
Dr. Marcos Silva
RGV LEAD Executive Director
Maricela De León
President
Dr. Esmeralda Adame
Vice President
Adriana Sarmento
Finance Officer
Theresa Capistran
Executive Director
Anabell Cardona
Executive Director
Eloy Garza
Executive Director
Jonathan Medina
Executive Director
Dr. Viviana Espinosa
Executive Director
Frank Almaraz
Director
Ysmael Fonseca, Esq.
Director
Manny Vela
Director
Dr. Daniel King
Director
Kristina Leal, PE, CFM
Director
Leonardo Trevino
Director
Krista Chapa
Director
Ricardo Pena
Director
Leo Saenz
Director
Dr. Cynthia Walls
Associate Director
Naomi Perales
Associate Director
Dr. Norma L. Salaiz
Associate Director
Dr. Narcisco Garcia
Director At Large
Mario Barragan
Director At Large
Carlos Garza
Director At Large
Rhonda Salinas
Director At Large
More about RGV LEAD
Our Story
Our Work
Ideas
Learn about the origins of the foundation and the values that drive our work.
Learn about where we work around the Rio Grande Valley and career-readiness.
Read the latest stories, research, and news from across RGV LEAD.