FEATURED: S. David Deanda, Jr., of Mission, President, Lone Star National Bank, and Member, Board of Managers, DHR Health, has been selected by Gov. Greg Abbott to help lead economic growth and job creation strategies for the Rio Grande Valley and the Lone Star State as a member of the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors.
Photograph By NUFO SALINAS
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S. David Deanda, Jr., President, Lone Star National Bank, and Member, Board of Managers, DHR Health, selected by Gov. Abbott to help lead economic growth and job creation strategies for the Valley, state as a member of Texas Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors
By DAVID A. DÍAZ
[email protected]
S. David Deanda, Jr., of Mission, President, Lone Star National Bank, and Member, Board of Managers, DHR Health, has been selected by Gov. Greg Abbott to help lead economic growth and job creation strategies for the Rio Grande Valley and the Lone Star State as a member of the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors.
“I’d like to welcome the incoming Board of Directors of the Texas Economic Development Corporation and thank them for their leadership,” Abbott said. “Their efforts will be instrumental in amplifying the success of the Texas Economic Development Corporation in promoting Texas as a premier business destination, both domestically and internationally. As the Lone Star State remains a global beacon of economic vitality and job creation, I look forward to working with the new Board of Directors to help fuel continued economic expansion for our great state.”
The governor’s announcement about Deanda and eight other members of the Texas Economic Development Board Corporation Board of Directors was made on Wednesday, July 6, 2022.’’’
Deanda said his vision on this state gubernatorial board will include helping promote his home region and South Texas as a vital economic engine for the Texas and the United States.
“My main goal is to work together with the other Board Members, and the entire Texas business community, to ensure that Texas remains the most business-friendly state in the U.S.,” he said. “South Texas has a thriving business community. I hope to contribute to the reinforcement of and the expansion of that thriving business community, and I also hope to reinforce the strong network of business leaders in South Texas so that we can see South Texas assume its place as one of the strongest business communities in Texas and as a positive force for the benefit of all Texans and all Americans, at home and on the international stage, well into the future.”
Deanda said one of the many strengths of South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley is their energy-related economies, which are vital to the rest of the state and nation.
Vicki Hollub of Galveston, who was appointed by the governor as Chair, Texas Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, shared Deanda’s judgment about the value of Texas’ abundant energy resources.
“Texas is known as the energy capital of the world because it’s a great place to do business, with economic growth and opportunity that foster innovation and benefit our communities,” Hollub said. “I am honored be named Chairwoman of the Texas Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors. I look forward to working with the TxEDC Board and team as well as and our private sector and regional economic development partners to share Texas’ story and help expand our leadership position as the premier state in the nation to do business.”
According to Abbott’s office:
• The Texas Economic Development Corporation is an independently funded and operated 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization responsible for marketing and promoting Texas as a premier business location;
• Along with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism, these two highly focused organizations make up the cornerstone of Abbott’s economic development agenda to build a stronger Texas; and
• Through a robust program of national and international investment attraction missions, industry events, media relations, advertising and other signature initiatives, the Texas Economic Development Corporation spreads the word of Texas’ business advantages among a target audience of corporate decision makers and site selection consultants. The organization is made possible through the support of a broad range of organizations, Fortune 500 companies and privately held enterprises throughout the state.
The website for Texas Economic Development Corporation currently promotes South Texas “as a gateway to a crucial economic corridor and trade border”.
“South Texas is home to the United States-Mexico border, which serves as a gateway to one of the most important economic corridors on the continent. This region offers four Foreign Trade Zones to facilitate cross-border trade in addition to two major ports at Brownsville and Corpus Christi. Major cities like Laredo, McAllen, San Antonio and Victoria are hotbeds for talent and emerging businesses,” its website states.
U.S. foreign-trade zones (FTZs or Zones) are the domestic equivalents of what are internationally known as ‘free-trade zones.’ They are usually located in areas with geographic trade advantages, such as major seaports, international airports, and national frontiers. Within Foreign Trade Zones, company goods can be unloaded, manufactured, reassembled, tested, sampled, processed, repackaged, and re-exported without the intervention of U.S. customs authorities. Only when goods are moved outside a Zone do they become subject to U.S. customs duties. Zone status may also make sites eligible for state and local tax benefits.
Deanda certainly has the key credentials to serve on the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors, according to Abbott, who provided the following biographical summary:
Deanda’s career spans more than 38 years. He has spent the past 28 years as an instrumental component in Lone Star National Bank’s transformation into one of the largest independent banks in the state of Texas with more than $3.06 billion in total assets and 35 full-service banking centers across the Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio.
In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of Lone Star National Bank, Deanda is a member of the Board of Managers of Doctors Hospital at Renaissance.
DHR Health is the flagship teaching hospital for the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley School of Medicine and encompasses a general acute hospital with the only dedicated women’s hospital south of San Antonio, a rehabilitation hospital, a behavioral hospital, more than 70 clinics Valley-wide, advanced cancer services, the only transplant program in the Rio Grande Valley – and as of September 8, 2021, the first 24/7 Level One Trauma Center south of San Antonio.
On Tuesday, November 16, 2021, Driscoll Health System, in partnership with DHR Health, held a groundbreaking ceremony for Driscoll Children’s Hospital Rio Grande Valley, located at 2820 W. Michelangelo Drive in Edinburg, which is being built on the site of the DHR Health campus, next to DHR Health’s The Women’s Hospital at Renaissance.
The new, independently operated, eight-level pediatric hospital will further the mission of Driscoll Children’s Hospital founder Clara Driscoll to provide medical care to all the children of South Texas. The building is expected to be completed in Spring 2023.
The facility represents a combined investment of more than $105 million. Driscoll Children’s Hospital Rio Grande Valley will operate with more than 500 employees, creating significant economic impact and new job opportunities for clinical, ancillary and support staff in the Valley.
Doctors Hospital at Renaissance, Ltd (“DHR”) and its general partner, RGV Med, Inc. (“RGV Med”) own and operate a 519 licensed bed general acute care hospital located at 5501 South McColl in Edinburg. The facility is one of the largest physician-owned facilities in the United States that began as an ambulatory surgery center in 1997.
Deanda also actively serves the community as a member of the Board of Directors of the Valley Alliance of Mentors for Opportunity and Scholarships (VAMOS) and Chairman of the Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority.
He is a member of the Hidalgo County Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Texas A&M University Kingsville Foundation Board of Trustees, the Board of the Bauer College of Business for the University of Houston, the Minority Depository Institutions Advisory Council, and the Dallas Fed Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council.
Deanda received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&I University and is a graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.
In a recent interview, Deanda provided additional information on his plans as a member of the Texas Economic Development Board Corporation Board of Directors:
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR SERVING ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, TEXAS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, PARTICULARLY FOR DEEP SOUTH TEXAS?
My main goal is to work together with the other Board Members, and the entire Texas business community, to ensure that Texas remains the most business-friendly state in the U.S. South Texas has a thriving business community. I hope to contribute to the reinforcement of and the expansion of that thriving business community, and I also hope to reinforce the strong network of business leaders in South Texas so that we can see South Texas assume its place as one of the strongest business communities in Texas and as a positive force for the benefit of all Texans and all Americans, at home and on the international stage, well into the future.
WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR SOMEONE FROM THE VALLEY TO BE SERVING ON THIS GUBERNATORIAL BOARD?
I see the Rio Grande Valley as being akin to one of the major metropolitan areas of Texas. In the coming years the Rio Grande Valley will be in a prime position to exert tremendous influence over the business environment in Texas, as well as over the economic relationship between the United States and nations across our southern border. It is the responsibility of, and it is in the best interest of, other metropolitan areas in Texas to recognize this fact and to assist the Rio Grande Valley in assuming this important role. It is the responsibility of citizens of the Rio Grande Valley to be ready to assume that influential position in a way that benefits not just South Texas, but all of Texas and the United States. I believe that the Rio Grande Valley is ready to fulfill its responsibility to Texas and the U.S. That is why it is important for someone from the Rio Grande Valley to serve on this state Board. It is in the best interest of all Texans for someone from the Valley to sit on the Board and it is unthinkable and unwise for there to ever be a time
where someone from the Valley is not on this Board.
WILL YOU BE HELPING SHAPE STATE LEGISLATION ON THIS BOARD THAT WILL BENEFIT DEEP SOUTH TEXAS, AND IF SO, WHAT MEASURE?
Absolutely! That is definitely a goal. Although it is premature to outline specific legislation, it needs to be our goal to help shape state legislation to benefit the Texas business community. This goal obviously applies to South Texas, but it also applies to the entire state of Texas. The success of the business community in Texas is dependent on the success of the South Texas business community and the success of the South Texas business community is dependent on the overall success of the business community of the entire state. We are in this together and we need to view each other’s success as our own success.
YOU HAVE OTHER MAJOR APPOINTMENTS AND MEMBERSHIPS TO OTHER PUBLIC SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS, SUCH AS SERVING AS CHAIR, HIDALGO COUNTY REGIONAL MOBILITY AUTHORITY. HOW DO YOU FIND THE TIME TO DO SO MUCH?
I obviously cannot do everything, but being a contributing member of one’s community is a responsibility and a privilege. If something is important, one will find time for it. As of now, by the grace of God, I feel like the time I have has enabled me to contribute in a meaningful way to every organization I have had the privilege of serving. It is a matter of priorities. If I ever feel stretched too thin, I will reevaluate my service and reorganize in a way that is best for my family and the people and organizations that I serve.
WHAT OTHER COMMENTS WOULD YOU FEATURED IN THIS INTERVIEW?
I want to be clear that we are engaged in a team effort. Fancy titles and fancy board appointments mean nothing to me. Serving is what is important. Working together is what is important. Working hard to contribute to advancing the causes of my fellow Texans and the entire state of Texas is important to me. I hope I can be a meaningful team member and see South Texans and all Texans benefit from my service. In the same way, the entire Texas business community needs to understand that the South Texas business community is ready to be a good team member to the rest of the State. South Texas is ready to work for the success of the entire State and I’m confident the other members of the Texas business community see the wisdom in being a good team member to South Texas. We must begin to see success as a team venture.
Gov. Abbott releases list of nine members of the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors
Arun Agarwal
Dallas
Agarwal is the CEO of Nextt and has business interests in textiles, cotton trading, and real estate. He is Chair of the India American CEO Council and President of the Dallas Parks & Recreation Board.
Additionally, he is a board member of the U.S. India Friendship Council, Executive Board UT Dallas, Texas Tech Innovation HUB at Research Park, Big Brothers Big Sisters International, and MD Anderson Board of Visitors.
He is also a volunteer for CHETNA and the Living Dreams Foundation.
Agarwal received a Master’s in Business Administration from IMT–Ghaziabad, a Master’s in Computer Information Systems from Southern New Hampshire University, and an Advanced Certificate in International Business from Harvard University.
Adrian Cannady
Temple
Cannady is President and CEO of Temple Economic Development Corporation. He is a member and Treasurer of the Texas Economic Development Council and a member of the International Economic Development Council.
Additionally, he is a member and former Chairman of Team Texas.
He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and received an Honorable Discharge from the United States Army.
Cannady received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences and a Master of Science in Economic Development and Entrepreneurship from the University of Houston – Victoria and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute.
S. David Deanda, Jr.
Mission
Deanda is President and Director of Lone Star National Bank.
Deanda’s career spans over 38 years. He has spent the past 28 years as an instrumental component in Lone Star National Bank’s transformation into one of the largest independent banks in the state of Texas with more than $3.06 billion in total assets and 35 full-service banking centers across the Rio Grande Valley and San Antonio.
In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of Lone Star National Bank, Deanda is a member of the Board of Managers of Doctors Hospital at Renaissance.
He also actively serves the community as a member of the Board of Directors of the Valley Alliance of Mentors for Opportunity and Scholarships (VAMOS) and Chairman of the Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority.
He is a member of the Hidalgo County Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Texas A&M University Kingsville Foundation Board of Trustees, the Board of the Bauer College of Business for the University of Houston, the Minority Depository Institutions Advisory Council, and the Dallas Fed Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council.
Deanda received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Texas A&M University and is a graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.
Katie Farmer
Fort Worth
Farmer is President and CEO of BNSF Railway, the largest Class I railroad in the U.S. She has been with BNSF for 30 years and previously served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, where she oversaw the entire Operations organization.
She is a member of the Association of American Railroads Board of Directors, former President of the National Freight Transportation Association, and former Chair of the Intermodal Association of North America.
She is a member of the Texas Christian University (TCU) Board of Trustees and the Jewel Charity Ball.
She is also a sustaining member of the Junior League of Fort Worth and the National Charity League and a former member of the Cook Children’s Health Foundation Board of Trustees and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Executive Committee.
Farmer received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and a Master of Business Administration in Marketing from TCU.
L. Frederick “Rick” Francis
El Paso
Francis is the Executive Chairman for WestStar.
He is a member of the Borderplex Alliance, Texas Business Leadership Council, and Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council of the Federal Reserve Bank-Dallas.
He is Chair of the Medical Center of the Americas Board of Directors, board member of the Paso del Norte Community Foundation and El Paso Electric, President of the Pioneer Association of El Paso, and a member of the Hospitals of Providence Advisory Board.
He is a former Regent for the Texas Tech University System, serving from 2003-2019, and former Chairman of the Executive Committee for the Texas Hospital Trustees.
He is former President of Area 5 (Rocky Mountain States) Boy Scouts of America, the Young Presidents Organization, the Yucca Council Boy Scouts of America, the Sunturians, and Crime Stoppers of El Paso.
He is also a former board member of Western Refining, Inc.
He has been active with the Business Advisory Council at the El Paso Community College, the Rotary Club of El Paso, the Better Business Bureau, and the Greater El Paso Chamber of Commerce.
Francis received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Texas Tech University and is a graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University.
Mauricio Gutiérrez
Houston
Gutiérrezis President and CEO of NRG Energy, Inc., and previously held the positions of Chief Operating Officer for five years and Executive Vice President of commercial operations, overseeing all commodities trading.
Additionally, he held several senior positions at energy merchant Dynegy and consulting firm DTP in Mexico City.
He is Chairman of Retail Energy Advancement League (REAL), board member of the Business Roundtable, and former Chairman of Electric Power Supply Association. Additionally, he is a board member of Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose and former board member of FIRST Global.
Gutiérrez received a bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Universidad Panamericana, a Master of Science in Mineral Economics from Colorado School of Mines, and a Master of Science in Petroleum Economics from the French Petroleum Institute.
George “Trey” Henderson, III
Lufkin
Henderson is manager and owner of Henderson Community Ltd. Previously, he served as Vice President of the Lufkin Division of Overseas Hardwood Company and President and Vice President of Angelina Hardwood Sales Company for more than 30 years.
He is a board member of the 12th Man Foundation and a former board member of Gov. Rick Perry’s Task Force on Evacuation, Angelina College Board of Trustees, Texas Ethics Commission, and the Parks and Wildlife Commission Private Land Advisory Board.
Henderson received a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Economics from Texas A&M University.
Peter J. Holt
San Antonio
Holt is CEO and General Manager of HOLT CAT.
Holt is the Managing Partner of Spurs Sports and Entertainment and a partner at the venture capital firm Ironspring based in Austin.
He is a board member of the University of the Incarnate Word, SA Ready to Work, and Chair of the Early Matters Advisory Board of San Antonio. He serves on the Executive Committee of the United Way of San Antonio and the Executive Committee of the Texas Wildlife Association.
Holt also recently joined the Alamo Trust Inc. Board of Directors.
Holt received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of the Incarnate Word.
Vicki Hollub
Galveston
Hollub has served on the Texas Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors since April 2019 and previously served as Vice Chair. She is President and CEO of Occidental, an international oil and gas exploration and production company that is one of the largest U.S. oil and gas companies based on equity market capitalization.
She joined Occidental’s Board of Directors in 2015 and has been with Occidental for more than 35 years. She has extensive operations and leadership experience, and most recently was President and COO, overseeing oil and gas, chemical, and midstream operations.
Hollub serves on the boards of Lockheed Martin and the American Petroleum Institute.
She is Chair of the World Economic Forum’s Oil and Gas Community and a member of the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative.
Additionally, she is the former Chair of the Bear Bryant Awards Campaign for the American Heart Association.
Hollub received a Bachelor of Science in Mineral Engineering from the University of Alabama. She was inducted into the University of Alabama College of Engineering 2016 Class of Distinguished Engineering Fellows.
Eduardo Margáin
Austin
Margáin is Founder and CEO of Pixiu Investments and Co-Founder of Major League Soccer Club Austin FC.
From Monterrey, Mexico, Margáin previously represented Microsoft in Mexico and built a career there as a successful technology investor. Since making Austin his home more than 12 years ago, his firm has acquired landmark real estate, such as the Driskill Hotel and the Scarbrough and Littlefield Buildings.
Pixiu also developed Q2 Stadium and St. David’s Performance Center as an ownership partner of Austin FC. Pixiu has also sponsored private equity investments in Easy Tiger Bake Shop and Beer Gardens, SocialSuite Inc., and Tiff’s Treats, among others.
Margáin serves as President of the Greater Austin Crime Commission, as a board member of the 4ATX Foundation, and as a member of the Austin Council on Foreign Affairs.
Margáin received a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering and Information Systems from Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico.
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Edna De Saro contributed to this article. For more on this and other Texas legislative news stories that affect the Rio Grande Valley metropolitan region, please log on to Titans of the Texas Legislature (TitansoftheTexasLegislature.com).
