Summer 2006 kicked off with the election of new leadership for the STC Board of Trustees. In a unanimous decision, Irene Garcia, retired Administrator from the La Joya and Hidalgo ISDs, was elected Chair of the Board; Jesse Villarreal, Parent Specialist (Social Worker) for the Parental Involvement Department for the Weslaco ISD, was elected Vice Chair; and Mike Allen, President and CEO of the McAllen Economic Development Corporation, was elected Secretary.

Both Garcia and Villarreal moved up in the election from previously held positions, with Garcia having served as the Vice Chair and Villarreal having served as the Board’s Secretary. Garcia replaces Roy De Leon, Regional Vice President of the Laredo National Bank, who served as the Chair of the Board for two years.

“We applaud Mr. De Leon’s service to STC,” said Dr. Shirley A. Reed, President of STC. “His dedication has been exceptional and we look forward to continuing to work alongside him as a member during the next year. This is an exciting time for us and we will accomplishment great things together.”

De Leon received a plaque from Dr. Reed and the board to commemorate his service.

Manuel Benavidez, Jr, Director of Transportation for the Rio Grande City ISD, Gary Gurwitz, Senior Partner at Atlas and Hall in McAllen, and Dr. Alejo Salinas, Jr., retired Administrator from the Hidalgo ISD, will serve the Board as members for the 2006/2007 school year.

Also present for the vote of the new STC Board leadership was Texas State Rep. Kino Flores. The board thanked him for his attendance and his continued dedication to improving the quality of education in the Rio Grande Valley.

###