HARLINGEN — Finally a replacement is here.
The executive director of Pharr’s economic development agency has been hired to lead the Rio Grande Valley Partnership, the regional chamber which represents the entire Valley.
Sergio Contreras fills a position that has been vacant for seven months following the resignation of the previous president and executive director of the RGV Partnership, Julian Alvarez.
Alvarez left the position in February following his appointment to the Texas Workforce Commission by Gov. Greg Abbott
“Sergio is uniquely qualified to lead the RGV Partnership in a time when our Valley needs bold leadership to unite and focus our efforts on the greater good,” said Anabell Cardona, chair of the RGV Partnership’s board of directors. “His vision aligns perfectly with the Partnership’s mission to advance prosperity to everyone with a stake in our regional economy.”
Contreras spent just over a year heading up Pharr’s EDC. He previously worked as director of external relations for the city of Pharr.
Prior to that job, Contreras worked for AT&T in the South Texas market.
He has served as a board member with a number of nonprofits, including the American Cancer Society-Laredo, the United Way-Laredo, and chambers of commerce in Brownsville, San Antonio, San Antonio West and Laredo.
The RGV Partnership, founded in 1944, serves as a regional chamber to promote and recruit businesses and subsequent jobs to Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy counties.
Its offices are located in Weslaco.
