Board of Directors

Chair
Samuel Vale is the board chair for Workforce Solutions. He resides in McAllen and Rio Grande City. Vale received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin, where he double majored in political science and U.S. history with a minor in international trade. His business affiliations stem from a number of different industries. He is the president of Starr-Camargo Bridge Company (International Toll Bridge Port of Entry), president of KTLM-40 (Telemundo Network), president of Border Pacific Railroad Company, and president of Quina Corporation (Real Estate and Ranching). Vale is also actively involved in his civic duties as one of the founders for Border Trade Alliance and a member of 16 other boards and associations.

Vice Chair
Dr. Ricardo Gonzalez is the vice chair for Workforce Solutions. He has actively been a participant of the board since its inception, having also served as board chair and secretary. Gonzalez enjoys the responsibilities and challenges of being part of an organization that is continually improving the employment and training opportunities in this area. He is a therapeutic optometrist and has been in practice for more than 22 years. He is president/CEO of Valley Eye Care in Elsa, Texas. He received his Bachelor of Science in optometry and his doctor of optometry, both from the University of Houston. He is a founding member and current chairman of the Delta Region Revitalization Corporation, a non-profit organization. He is also a founding member of the Edcouch-Elsa-La Villa Chamber of Commerce and has had a leadership role since its establishment. Gonzalez recently accepted an invitation to join the board of the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of Prevent Blindness Texas. He also actively serves on the Edcouch-Elsa Rotary Club and has served on the Health Services Advisory Committee for the Edcouch-Elsa ISD.

Treasurer
Rudy Salinas is treasurer for Workforce Solutions. His journey in representing the private sector started with his belief in providing opportunities to the workforce to adapt a higher standard of education and skill sets. Salinas is also a certified public accountant (CPA) and a partner of Salinas, Allen, & Schmitt, LLP. His civic duties include serving as president of the Mercedes Area Chamber of Commerce, and Weslaco Crimestoppers, Inc.; and as an active member on other boards such as Rio Grande Valley Empowerment Zone (RGVEZ), Community Development Corporation of South Texas, Weslaco Rotary and John Knox Village. Salinas earned his B.B.A. in accounting from the University of Texas-Pan American.

Secretary
Dr. Cynthia Bebon is currently serving her third term as secretary of the Board, member of the Executive Committee and chairperson of the Planning Committee for Workforce Solutions. She is avid in maintaining close liaisons with agency staff at local, state and federal level. Bebon was responsible for the instructional leadership, planning, implementation and management for the family literacy projects of Even Start Project and Migrant Even Start from 1998 to 2006. She has spent the past 30 years contributing her knowledge and passion to teaching and developing new and innovative programs at the local and regional level. She also worked for the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs in Austin for five years, monitoring federal programs for the state. She is a member of the Literacy Task Force of the Coalition of Valley Families. In 2003, she was recognized for the “My Favorite Teacher Award” for the state of Texas and was one of the five finalists in the National “My Favorite Teacher Award.” In the same year, she received the “Honorary Award” at the “For the Love of Reading Conference” for superior dedication and commitment to reading and literacy instruction. She earned her undergraduate degree from Texas A&I University in home economics and a Masters of Secondary Education and Supervision from The University of Texas-Pan American. Most recently, she received her doctoral degree from Texas A&M in Kingsville in 2007. She has a passion for the education of children, particularly migrant children, and has been active in numerous community affairs and projects in Brownsville, McAllen and Edinburg for more than 30 years.

Board Members
Noel Benavides
Dr. Benjamin Bujanda
Oscar Cardenas
Elva Garcia
Marco Garza
Ramiro Garza
Sara Garza
Yvonne Garza
Rosa E. Gonzalez
Dalinda Guillen
Gabriel Guzman
Deborah Kremer
Bret Mann
Manuel Ochoa
Jaime Ortiz
Daniel Rodriguez
Homero Rodriguez
Ruben Saenz
Gracie Silva
Estella Trevino
Ruben Villarreal