Joe Ramon III, always knew he wanted to be in business at some point in his life, but first he decided to follow his love of health care. “I wanted to be a dentist, and decided to become a pharmacist before dental school in case I didn’t like dentistry.” Ramon said. As it happened, Ramon fell in love with the pharmaceutical world and chose to follow that path. Ironically, as much as he loved being a pharmacist, he found the retail side was not his niche. After his first day on the job as a licensed pharmacist in a drugstore in San Antonio, having stared down the 50 bottles waiting to be filled to customers’ cries of, “Where’s my medicine?,” he called his dad. “What did I do, Dad? I don’t like this!” he remembered asking. Ramon persevered, however, believing he could be a good pharmacist. For three years he…

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Banking was Dusty Davenport’s first choice before he made the decision to join his dad, Rip’s insurance agency. “I had been in banking, but wanted a faster growing career,” Dusty recalled. “I discovered insurance was an industry where you could work hard and forge ahead.” Not only did he plunge into the depths of it, he formed his own niche. “Our agency started off as a life insurance agency, but as time went on people kept asking my dad for help in employee related activities. We have gone from 80 percent life insurance to 80 percent employee benefits,” he said. Purchasing the agency in 2016, Dusty has become an expert in employee benefit areas such as medical, dental, vision, and life insurance as well as 401ks. “You have to stay on it every day,” Dusty explained. “I’m always receiving updates on a new regulation, or a new law that was…

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Letty Duran Personal Banker Greater State Bank Letty Duran feels the two words which best describe her ideal life are love and service. Family is one of her top priorities, and helping rear her niece, she knows what giving and service entail. Proof of her dedication to her family shows as she gave the ultimate – a part of herself. Elated to be a perfect match, she donated a kidney to her sister in April. A people person, Letty has been in the banking business most of 25 years. “I started with First City and now work as a Personal Banker with Greater State Bank,” she said. “I like working with people. Within three days of working at Walmart, my first job, I was put in Customer Service, and I’ve been in the service end of business ever since. Today I consider Greater State Bank my ‘other’ family.” The Treasurer…

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Mark Magnon Vice-President Commercial/International Lending, IBC Bank Cheerful, energetic and enthusiastic about life, Mark Magnon, Vice-President of Commercial/International Lending at IBC Bank, shared one of his favorite things. “Though I’m proud of my upbringing in Laredo, I love being transplanted in McAllen for over 20 years now,” he said. After graduating with a Business Administration degree from St. Edwards University in Austin in the early 90s, Magnon was ready to join the banking business with his dad. “No, no, no, no,” exclaimed Dad. “NAFTA’s going to be big. Get a job in trucking logistics.” Following his father’s guidance, Magnon entered the trucking world, which led him to Mexico City, Buenos Aires, Argentina and São Paulo, Brazil, before coming to the Valley. “I had developed a relationship with Mr. David Guerra, so when I was ready for a change, I joined IBC Bank. I’d rather be on the banking side where…

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McAllen has a history full of Indians, cowboys, desperadoes, border disputes, military service, cultural exchanges, ageless architecture, and people – lots and lots of people. Once upon a time that history might have been lost. Today, thanks to the McAllen Heritage Center, (MHC), the city’s and much of the Valley’s history is safe. Elva Cerda, Managing Director and a passionate McAllenite, is one of the founders of the center. First opened in June of 2008 in a third of La Placita building at 301 S. Main Street, the Center now fills the entire first floor and is busting at its seams. Where History Lives on Memories come in all shapes and sizes, and there’s a wide variety of memorabilia in the cases and on the walls of the building. Touring the museum allows one to time travel. It’s a grand adventure. Close to many hearts are seats from the recently…

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Commercial Kitchen, specializing in restaurant equipment repair and maintenance, is Commercial Food Equipment Service Association (CFESA) certified. That is one of the most important aspects of this 24/7, 365 day a year service company. “To our end users, this means we’re not only trained by the manufacturers, but our own training facilities in San Antonio, as well,” Leo Guerra, Branch Manager, said. “Once hired, our technicians train three years to become master technicians, certified in electrical, gas, steam, and refrigeration. Guerra joined Commercial Kitchen 18 years ago, shortly after graduating from trade school, and has worked up through the ranks from service technician to service supervisor. “I found it fascinating to repair kitchen equipment. The next thing I knew I was Branch Manager, and have been for many years now.” A Chamber member for years, Commercial Kitchen participates yearly in the Business Expo. Using the event for more community awareness,…

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Kent Shepard Shepard Insurance Agency At the top of Kent Shepard’s loyalty list is being an Aggie, through and through. It all started back when Shepard, owner, Shepard Insurance Agency, was in the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets, a Ross Volunteer. “Did you know in World War II, A&M provided more military officers than anybody in the United States other than military academies?” He bragged. “Being an Aggie in the Corps has probably been one of the most rewarding aspects of my life. As a freshman you go through boot camp and it’s pretty tough. As a Corps member, you make such lasting connections. There’s still a group of us who get together a few times a year.” Raised on a farm with 1,000 head of hogs, 500 sheep, a couple hundred head of cattle, and growing wheat and oats, Kent’s ancestors had moved outside Graham, Texas, in the…

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Tom Brownmiller Director of Marketing Texas Guest Ranch Blanca Cardenas struck gold again when she suggested to Tom Brownmiller, director of marketing at Texas Guest Ranch, that he become an Ambassador. “The Chamber’s a great association with great people, and the Ambassadors are great too,” Brownmiller said. “They are terrific motivators because one can show up at an event tired, down, or sick, but they’re going to get cheered up. Augie and Blanca are always there with a smile.” Also in real estate, he’s served three and a half years on the Board of Directors for the Greater McAllen Association of Realtors as MLS chairman and then treasurer. An avid reader of books on religion and God, he’s been an active church member all his life. Coming to the Valley in ‘77 as a manager/trainer for Pan Am’s baseball team, he moved around with his wife until 2012, when they…

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This year’s Top 5 2017 McAllen Chamber Small Business winners all excel in their fields – along with their willingness to take risks, their determination and hard work, and most importantly passion for quality goods and services. Best Medical Supply. Open since 1995; 15 employees Joe Trejo and his wife joined his sister in a start-up business for durable medical equipment (DME) for wheelchairs and walkers. Listening carefully to his customers is what grew his business. When customers asked for more surgically invasive equipment, he would add it to his increasing inventory in the stocking warehouse. Changing the course of the company and finding their specialty niche came after a local hospital engineer left a piece of equipment on consignment, which he was able to sell for a healthy profit. “At first, I thought there was no way it was going to sell for a great profit margin. A week…

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Lisa Cantu Vice-president Business Development Officer Texas Community Bank Lisa Cantu, a vice-president Business Development Officer for Texas Community Bank, is balanced. . . in all areas of her life. Ranging from her Beatles Fab 4 collection to her love of her top three sports teams, the Astros, Cowboys and Spurs, she stays busy enjoying life in many varied areas. Then there are the 35 years of banking experience she’s accumulated, from processing loans, retirement, and IRA accounts to commercial lender and branch manager. Cantu appreciates how Texas Community Bank loves to help its customers who helped it become what it is today. Her volunteer work includes time dedicated to AARP Edinburg, and teaching the residents of Retama Nursing Home how to protect their financial assets. “To know I meant something on this earth and that my life has value through helping others. That is meaningful,” Cantu said. Her time…

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Jason Leal Senior Vice-President, Senior Credit Officer for HIll Country Texas Regional Bank 1) What is your favorite book? I’m not known to be much of a book reader. I’ve been known to say my favorite books are Cliff Notes back in high school. But there is one book that I have read – Who Moved My Cheese? I read that in Leadership McAllen, Class 21. It has application in all parts of your life, personally, business wise, career wise, in that you really have to think about the fact that change is going to happen. Change can be good, change can be bad but it needs to be accepted and part of the life that you lead no matter what you’re doing. Your cheese will be moved. That’s stuck with me. 2) What is your favorite movie? I will be honest and tell my fellow Chamber members that my…

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Veronica Sanchez & Edda Gutierrez The Antique Blue House Veronica Sanchez and Edda Gutierrez, friends since childhood, are the vivacious, inspiring, and gifted women behind The Antique Blue House at 1005 North Main in McAllen. Merging their artistic talents with their love of antique and vintage pieces, whether it be furniture, clothing, jewelry or art pieces, together they have developed a unique store. “We love to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary,” Veronica said. All around the shop are pieces of their creative designs. In one corner you’ll see an original vintage end table, and in another window will be a stylish, repainted end table by Edda. Hanging in the vintage clothing section you might find an intricate, delicate First Communion dress designed and sewn by Veronica from another store she had previously for 14 years. “This is my time,” Edda said, as she explained how her children are now…

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Paul Moxley, Chief Executive Officer, Texas Regional Bank Janet Vackar, President, Bert Ogden Auto Group The honor of Man and Woman of 2017 has gone to two people with exceptional credentials who are respected by the entire community serving on multiple boards, working with non-profits and contributing as leaders in major companies. Paul Moxley and Janet Vackar are making a difference in their community. Paul Moxley, Chief Executive Officer, Texas Regional Bank, is normally a private man who prefers to keep his works and good deeds quiet. However, receiving this title of Man of the Year has Paul opening the vaults of his memories, remembering those who shaped him into the man he has become. He recalled the strong influence of his mother and shared one of his favorite memories of her: she used to hang his little 5 or 6-year old ADHD body by his belt on the doorknob…

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Joaquin Zamora McAllen City Commissioner District 2 Assistant Criminal District Attorney One of the first things a person notices about Joaquin Zamora, McAllen City Commissioner District 2 and Assistant Criminal District Attorney, is his welcoming attitude. Perhaps that is because he is so grateful to God for the life he is living. Born and raised in McAllen in a colonia, Zamora learned his work ethics early from clerking in the family store, stocking the shelves, taking inventory and selling barbacoa on Sundays. At the same time his moral philosophy was being honed – always tell the truth, respect your elders, don’t talk back, do the right thing. Maybe it was partly this which, by the time he was in 5th grade, helped him know what he wanted in life. It was not the family business, but the city business. “It was the ‘80s. I saw a lot of poor people…

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1) What is your favorite book? The Shack by William Young. The story line intrigued me. It’s about a man who suffers a lot of pain with the loss of a child, unbearable pain. The story is about forgiveness and how to get through life’s struggles. It is a reminder that many times we aren’t aware of God’s presence or even think we have been abandoned, God never leaves our side. 2) What is your favorite movie? I don’t know that I have a favorite movie. I like watching Hallmark movies. I prefer those, especially during the holidays, because of the happy endings. 3) What was your favorite vacation spot? Now that my kids are older, I think going to the island with them. When I was growing up it was camping at Garner State Park with my parents, near San Antonio in the Hill Country. 4) What is your…

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