Finding innovative ways to deliver leadership and economic prosperity for the South Texas region in the 21st century was the focus of the Future of the Region Conference held on Aug. 24-25 in Corpus Christi.
The conference, hosted by Future of the Region Inc., brought in regional leaders and noted speakers to examine common issues impacting the lives of South Texas citizens and to make those issues known to state legislators.
Also during the conference, members elected Blas Castañeda as the 2006-07 president of the FORI Board of Directors. Castañeda, chief development officer at Laredo Community College, has been a longtime member of FORI, Inc.; prior to his new role, he was the vice president.
The FORI, which has held past conferences in Laredo, San Antonio and South Padre Island, met last month in Corpus Christi’s Omni Marina Hotel.
When the group was launched in the 1980s, it developed a position paper to air its concerns to state legislators as one voice for South Texas.
Since then, the group meets biennially to revise its position paper with emerging concerns that enable group members to work collaboratively in developing responses for these issues.
“The conference was an excellent opportunity for South Texas communities to learn about common issues impacting their region and to join forces for a stronger voice in the state legislature,” Castañeda said.
Castañeda added that the group’s “47-county geographic focus brings strength and competitiveness to its efforts to enhance economic development in our communities.”
The conference explored five positions tied to the future of the South Texas region, including Workforce Development/Education, Strategic Alliances-Economic Development, Environmental Issues and Concerns, Health Issues and Infrastructure Development. Detailed information about each position is listed online at www.foriinc.com.
The conference featured many highly noted speakers, including:
Texas Workforce Commissioner Diane Rath, speaking about South
Texas Workforce Trends – Challenges and Opportunities;
Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Deputy Commissioner David Gardner, speaking about a 21st Century Higher Education Agenda for South Texas;
· U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar speaking about a Legislative Agenda – Impact on South Texas; and
· Arizona State University Hispanic Research Center professor Dr. Alfredo G. de los Santos Jr., speaking on Positioning Your Community for Economic Prosperity.
Castañeda said that the conference attracted a diverse group of individuals from the region and northern Mexico.
Of significance was the valuable input gathered from a response panel consisting of five community college presidents from the South Texas area. Those sitting on the panel for the presentation on higher education included Dr. John Brockman of Coastal Bend College, Dr. Ramon H. Dovalina of Laredo Community College; Dr. Carlos Garcia of Del Mar College, Dr. Jimmy Goodson of The Victoria College and Dr. Shirley Reed of South Texas College. Also on the panel was state representative Gene Seaman.
FORI represents six councils of government, including the Alamo Area Council of Governments, the Middle Rio Grande Development Council, the South Texas Development Council, the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council, the Coastal Bend Council of Governments and the Golden Crescent Regional Planning Commission.
Newly elected FORI President Blas Castañeda speaks to participants attending the Future of the Region Conference held last month in Corpus Christi. Looking on are panel members for a presentation on higher education, from left, Laredo Community College President Dr. Ramon H. Dovalina, Alamo Community College District Acting Chancellor Dr. Daniel Derrico and Coastal Bend College President Dr. John Brockman.
Office of Marketing and Public Information
West End Washington St.
Laredo, TX 78040-4395
956- 721-5140
Fax 956-721-5443