

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 Board Member

Anabell Cardona
Executive Board Member

Eloy Garza
Executive Board Member

Jonathan Medina
Executive Board Member

Dr. Viviana Espinosa
Executive Board Member

Frank Almaraz
Board Member

Ysmael Fonseca, Esq.
Board Member

Manny Vela
Board Member

Dr. Daniel King
Board Member

Kristina Leal, PE, CFM
Board Member

Leonardo Trevino
Board Member

Krista Chapa
Board Member

Ricardo Pena
Board Member

Leo Saenz
Board Member

Dr. Cynthia Walls
Board Member

Naomi Perales
Advisory Board Member

Dr. Norma L. Salaiz
Advisory Board Member

Dr. Narcisco Garcia
Board Member

Mario Barragan
Board Member

Carlos Garza
Board Member

Rhonda Salinas
Board Member
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.