MRGDC honors members for their dedication and public service

By: Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

The Middle Rio Grande Development Council (MRGDC) Board of Director recognized and honored Cotulla City Manager Larry Dovalina, La Salle County Fire Chief Johnny Gomez, longtime MRGDC Workforce Director Elizabeth Sifuentes, and Sister Ursula Herrera, R.N. for their outstanding dedication and service to MRGDC and the nine county area communities at their 44th Annual MRGDC Meeting and Awards Luncheon on August 28, 2014.

Eagle Pass Mayor Ramsey English Cantu and Maverick County Judge David R. Saucedo opened the annual meeting by welcoming everyone to Eagle Pass and Maverick County and thanked the MRGDC Board Of Directors for all their efforts and service to the communities within the nine county areas.

MRGDC Executive Director Leodoro Martinez presented the recognition and awards to Dovalina, Sifuentes, and Herrera.

“In our nine county region in the past three years, we have been significantly impacted through the oil and gas industry. Four of our nine counties are in the middle of the Eagle Ford Shale, two of our counties Dimmit and La Salle are part of the top five oil and gas county producers in Texas,” said Martinez. “The Cities of Carrizo Springs and Cotulla have been heavily impacted and are in the process of adaptation to the change to take full advantage of the growth from the Eagle Ford Shale,” added Martinez.

Martinez recognized and presented a plaque of recognition to Cotulla City Manager Larry Dovalina for his extraordinary leadership in developing the City of Cotulla into one of the oil and gas meccas in the Eagle Ford Shale in Texas. The Cotulla City Council and Dovalina have been instrumental in developing and managing the incredible economic and business growth of La Salle County and the City of Cotulla.

MRGDC also recognized La Salle County Fire Chief Johnny Gomez for his leadership and vision to expand and grow the La Salle County Fire Department to satisfy the needs of the Eagle Ford Shale oil and gas drillers and operators while maintaining the community safe. Gomez has 32 years experience as an emergency and public service manager.

MRGDC also recognized Sister Ursula Herrera, R.N., of the Maverick County Hospital District for her outstanding work and contribution as a partner with the Middle Rio Grande Area Agency of Aging for promoting healthier lives for the elderly of the Middle Rio Grande.

Martinez also recognized past and outgoing MGRDC Board of Directors for their dedicated service including former Del Rio City Manager Robert Eads, former Kinney County Judge Tim Ward, former Del Rio Mayor Roberto Fernandez, former Uvalde Mayor J.L. Karnes, and former Bracketville Mayor Sandra Negrete.

MRGDC also recognized Lewis Energy Group for their extraordinary contributions to the economy and workforce development in the Middle Rio Grande region.

“In the past four years one of the most important activities and responsibility is for us to make sure that our workforce is prepared and we want to present Michael Garcia of Lewis Energy Group our appreciation for allowing MRGDC the opportunity to provide high wage opportunities to the citizens of the Middle Rio Grande,” said Martinez.

La Salle County Judge Jose Rodriguez was recognized for his dedicated service to the MRGDC Board of Directors as President for the past two years. “We will be forever grateful for your guidance, knowledge and leadership to the MRGDC,” said Martinez.

MRGDC recognized and honored Workforce Director Elizabeth “Betty” Sifuentes for her extraordinary leadership to the nine county Workforce Centers in the Middle Rio Grande upon her retirement. “I have been surrounded by a group of individuals that are beyond the word outstanding. Our Departments have demonstrated our ability to go beyond the call of duty. In our workforce system, we have one of the most outstanding leaders that, has been recognized throughout the State of Texas, in Betty Sifuentes. This year she will be retiring and we want to express our appreciation for her service to the communities in our region,” said Martinez. “I cannot tell you enough how much you mean to us and we want to congratulate you on your retirement,” said Martinez.

Sifuentes thanked everyone for their appreciation and stated ” I can’t tell you how happy I am for you all to stand on your feet and honor me today” with tears streaming from her eyes. “There are so many of you that without your support we would not have accomplished the activities that have rendered a better quality of life for all of the citizens of this region. It has been my pleasure to have served with you in this wonderful trip that took us from a region that was sparsely populated in many of our communities that had few resources and jobs to a region that has now enjoyed an economic boom for a better future for the generations that are to come,” said Sifuentes.

Sifuentes thanked everyone in attendance and beloved family for their continued support throughout her career. “I want to thank my husband, son, and my mother because she has taught me everything that I am and I know as she has made me everything that I am today,” said Sifuentes.

Sifuentes also was recognized by the Texas Border Coalition for her service and dedication to the betterment and enhancement of citizens along the Texas-Mexico border.

Guest Speaker for the MRGDC 44^th annual meeting was State Representative Poncho Nevarez who stated that the promise for the region was great and that in fact the promise of growth throughout the State of Texas was enhanced by the dedication to public service from such outstanding and dedicated individuals as the ones honored on this day.

Martinez announced that Eagle Passan Ronnie Rivera has been promoted to Workforce Director for the MRGDC.