Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC)
VICE PRESIDENT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP & INNOVATION
NOVEMBER 2023 - PRESENT • BROWNSVILLE, TX
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
JULY 2019 - OCTOBER 2023 • BROWNSVILLE, TX
The Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation is the Type B Economic Development Organization for the City of Brownsville, dedicated to advancing an open, inclusive and sustainable ecosystem of entrepreneurship in Brownsville and the Greater Rio Grande Valley.
• Strategically developing programs and incentives for startup growth and development in the Rio Grande Valley.
• Manage and lead all governmental affairs, collaborating with elected officials, policymakers, and legislators to promote organizational interests and garner backing for key initiatives.
• Fostering new partnerships with key stakeholders at a local, regional, state, federal and international level in order to foster continued business development in the community.
• Analyzing existing economic situations relative to business attraction and expansion; reviewing modern techniques for development, attraction and scalability of startups on a sustainability level.
• Oversee the StartUp Texas Accelerator program, a 12 week long program including mentorship and educational components culminating in a demo day for three individual cohorts.
• Oversee the StartUp Texas seed fund, a $200,000 seed fund investing in Texas-based early and seed level companies.
• Project Manager, designer and developer for the construction of the eBridge Center for Business & Commercialization as well as overseeing all operations and partnerships within the center.
• Creation of brand identity, digital content, web development and targeted marketing campaigns.
• Development of COVID-19 related relief that amounted to $440,000 in grants disbursed, with an additional $9.6 million in federal assistance from the SBA through our program.
• Lead Director of the Brownsville COVID-19 Response Team, assisting 846 businesses and saving 1,518 at risk-employees during lockdown restrictions.
• Facilitated workforce development programs that assisted the small business community to be successful in financial literacy, tax structures, and marketing.
• Awarded Gold Rank in 2021, 2023 and Bronze in 2022 by the International Economic Development Council.
• Creation of brand identity, digital content, web development and targeted marketing campaigns when serving as Marketing Director from 2019-2022.
City of Brownsville, Texas
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
FEB 2018 - JULY 2019 • BROWNSVILLE, TX
The largest city in the Rio Grande Valley came to be known as the “Crossroads of the Hemisphere” as it connected the United States to the gateways of Latin America and beyond. Today the second most historic city in Texas is the Gateway of the Future, as the only city in the world that hosts 5 methods of international trade: air, sea, road, rail and space. From shovel-ready sites, a well-trained bilingual workforce, and an open and inclusive ecosystem of entrepreneurship, Brownsville is a major industrial and manufacturing center.
• Served as Interim Director of the Brownsville Convention & Visitors Bureau.
• Managed marketing and business development efforts for 11 different municipal organizations and divisions.
• Provided consultation to various municipal departments during the development and marketing of innovative professional development programs.
• Oversaw over 120 Parks division employees, 40 parks encompassing over 1,000 acres, 32 miles of dedicated hike & bike trails, 3 gymnasiums, 2 public pools, 50 buildings and structures, and over 55 athletics fields.
• Developed customized training programs for professional development of Parks Staff.
• Hired, trained, and managed project personnel.
• Researched of market needs and possible solutions via trend analyses.
• Created digital content including copy-writing, video editing, & graphic design.
• Developed marketing campaigns using online data and social tools.
• Analyzed SEO via traffic statistics and analytics on all websites.
Ruby Red Hospitality
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
JAN 2016 - FEB 2018 • SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, TX
Ruby Red Hospitality (formerly Perspective HMS) is a hospitality development and management firm. The properties range from focused service to full service hotels, while also operating the most formidable food & beverage outlets from full-service hotels. The organization uses the full potential of the most current technologies to streamline business analysis, development and operations. Many software tools were developed in-house.
• Manage marketing and advertising efforts for nine businesses that include three hotel properties and three restaurants on South Padre Island, and the development of two hotels and one restaurant in McAllen, Texas.
• Created digital content including copywriting, video editing, & graphic design using Adobe Creative Suite software.
• Developed marketing campaigns using online data and social tools like Google AdWords, Analytics, landing pages and MailChimp.
• Analyzed SEO via traffic statistics and analytics on all websites and social media pages to improve marketing efforts.
• Increased engagement via social media platforms and publishing targeted content using Facebook and Instagram ads.
• Maintained web presence for each entity via HTML and Wordpress systems.
• Implementation and maintenance of the 'South Padre Island' and 'McAllen Performing Arts' Mobile App.
Texas House of Representatives
SENIOR DIGITAL DIRECTOR - STATE REP. TREY MARTINEZ FISCHER
JAN 2013 - DEC 2015 • AUSTIN, TX
State Representative Trey Martinez Fisher is a Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives who represents the San Antonio-based 116th District, serving since 2000. The Houston Chronicle and the San Francisco Chronicle named him one of the "20 Latino political rising stars of 2012," placing him among those under 55 "who just might change the face of American politics over the next two decades."
• Managed four entities for the Representative: the Mexican American Legislative Caucus (MALC), the One Texas PAC, and the Trey Martinez Fischer Campaign & House District 116 Legislative Office.
• Assisted in executing the Representative’s legislative agenda and vision for the office; preparing the Representative for legislative duties; overseeing media outreach and event planning; providing constituent services to the residents of House District 116 in San Antonio, Texas.
• Prepared the Representative for numerous panels, presentations, and news casts afforded to a successful senior legislator.
• Played significant role in successful legislation passed and stopped by the Representative resulting in numerous “Best Of” awards by notable publications.
• Created digital content in four forms of media including copy-writing, video editing, & graphic design using Adobe Creative Suite software.
• Developed 30+ marketing campaigns using online data and social tools like Google AdWords, Analytics, MailChimp, and NGP VAN.
• Analyzed SEO via traffic statistics and analytics on all websites and social media pages to improve campaigns.
• Maintained web presence for each entity via HTML and Wordpress systems.
• Created original brand in 2012 and managed re-branding strategy and logo creation for the 2014 Special Election for Senate District 26 in San Antonio.
Mexican American Legislative Caucus
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
JAN 2013 - DEC 2015 • AUSTIN, TX
Representing more than 6.9 Million Texans, the Mexican American Legislative Caucus is a non-partisan, 501(c)(6) non-profit organization composed of members of the Texas House of Representatives committed to addressing issues of particular importance to Latinos across the state. It is the second-largest caucus in the State Legislature.
• Worked personally with 41 members of the Texas House of Representatives.
• Established and maintained relationships with donors, sponsors, and stakeholders.
• Coordinated outreach efforts in fundraising campaigns between $500k - $1 Million every year.
• Partnered with Univision and local organizations for the inaugural Mexican Independence Day “El Grito” Celebration to the Texas Capitol with over 10,000 attendees the first year, including a live performance by Ramon Ayala on the South Steps of the Capitol.
• Assisted in the management of MALC Foundation (MALLF) Fellows.
• Created digital content in four forms of media including copy-writing, video editing, & graphic design using Adobe Creative Suite software.
• Developed 30+ marketing campaigns using online data and social tools like Google AdWords, Analytics, MailChimp, and NGP VAN.
• Analyzed SEO via traffic statistics and analytics on all websites and social media pages to improve campaigns.
• Maintained digital ecosystem including websites, social media, e-commerce, and marketing campaigns.
One Texas PAC
DIGITAL DIRECTOR
JAN 2013 - DEC 2015 • AUSTIN, TX
One Texas PAC exists to bring a Democratic majority to the Texas House of Representatives by building party infrastructure, training candidates, and electing Democrats all across the state.
• Created digital content in four forms of media including copy-writing, video editing, & graphic design using Adobe Creative Suite software.
• Developed 30+ marketing campaigns and content using online data and social tools like Google AdWords, Analytics, MailChimp, and NGP VAN.
• Analyzed SEO via traffic statistics and analytics on all websites and social media pages to improve campaigns.
• Maintain web presence for each entity via HTML and Wordpress systems.
ImagineSolar
MEDIA & PRODUCT DEVELOPER
JAN 2011 - JAN 2013 • AUSTIN, TX
Texas' first licensed school dedicated to solar energy and smart grid, ImagineSolar has provided solar and smart grid education and advisory services while preparing individuals for clean energy careers and industry certifications, including the North Atlantic Board of Certified Energy Professionals.
• Developed and administered targeted workforce training programs in photovoltaic subject matter.
• Created strong partnerships with organizations such as the Austin Electrical Training Alliance and the IBEW Austin Chapter to streamline the transition process for electricians into the renewable energy sector.
• Point of Contact between executive team and product developers.
• Management of online campaigns, company website, and social media pages.
• Analysis of market and brand awareness trends for process improvements in marketing mix.
• Creation of online materials via all media content including training courses in renewable energy technical subject matter.
• Development of IT management processes including web creation and maintenance
• Facilitated opportunities for enrolled and prospect participants in renewable energy education.
• Assistance in management of social media pages.
Apple
MARKETING INTERNSHIP
MAY 2009 - APRIL 2010 • AUSTIN, TX
• Marketing internship involving coverage of the Apple iPhone and Apple Care Protection Plan.
• Assisted customers with technical and insurance queries.
• Research of market needs and possible solutions via trend analyses.
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS RIO GRANDE VALLEY
Master of Business Administration
Summa Cum Laude • 2018
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
McCombs School of Business
Bachelor of Business Administration
Marketing; Government • 2011
ECOLE SUPÉRIEURE DE COMMERCE DE PARIS
International Marketing
Cross-Cultural Management & Negotiation • 2010
Recognition, Volunteering & Skills
INTERNATIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
Gold Rank Award in Partnerships, 2023
Bronze Rank Award in Entrepreneurship, 2022
Gold Rank Award in Entrepreneurship, 2021
COME DREAM. COME BUILD.
Vice Chair of the Board, 2023
Secretary, 2021 - 2023
Board Member, 2020 - Present
BROWNSVILLE WELLNESS COALITION
Board Member, 2023 - Present
TEXAS VENTURE ALLIANCE
Founding Board Member, 2023 - Present
EVERY STEP COUNTS BOARD
Treasurer, 2021 - Present
JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION
Judge - Texas Region, 2021 - 2023
NEW LEADERS COUNCIL
Communications Co-Chair, 2021
Alumni Chair, 2021
Fellow, South Texas Frontera Chapter, 2021
CITY OF BROWNSVILLE PARKS & RECREATION
Advisory Board Member, 2016-2018
NORTH AMERICAN BOARD OF CERTIFIED ENERGY PRACTITIONERS
Entry Level Certification in Solar Photovoltaics, 2012
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Member of the Patrick Henry Chapter in Austin, TX, 2010
SIGMA BETA RHO MULTICULTURAL FRATERNITY
Founding Member, 2008
Vice President, 2009
Philanthropy Chair, 2010-2011
Entrepreneurship-Led Economic Development • Ecosystem Building • Corporate Relations • Legislative Relations • Workforce Development • Public Relations • Leadership Development • Public Policy • Corporate Branding • Strategic Partnerships • IEDC Credit Analysis Certification • Art Direction • Branding • Logo Development • Creative Marketing • Web & Mobile Design • User Experience • Graphic Design • Photography • Editing • Copywriting • Print & Layout Design • Film Production • Adobe Creative Suite • Wordpress • Google AdWords & Analytics Certification