Jessica Delgado

Co-owner, Delgado Collective

Bob Boggus

Owner/President, Boggus Ford

Aren’t you grateful to be living in a city like McAllen, Texas, where picking a Man & Woman of the Year from all the deserving members of this community is such a hard job? How lucky McAllen is to have such outstanding people living here – people who are willing to give back by sharing their time and talents where they are most needed. 

Jessica Delgado, co-owner of Delgado Collective, was stunned when McAllen Chamber of Commerce CEO Steve Ahlenius called to inform her of her new title.

“What?” she stammered.

“You’ve been named McAllen Chamber’s Woman of the Year,” Ahlenius repeated.

“Oh, my gosh. Thank you so much, Steve. I’ll see you soon.”

After she hung up, Jessica realized what had just happened.

Her road to the award started on her road to the restaurant business, which began in her childhood.

“Food was really important to my mom who made sure we had good meals in the house,” Delgado said. “We didn’t have much, but food was always essential to her. It was through her that I’ve always loved to cook.”

By 19, she knew she wanted to be in the management training program of Carrabba’s Italian Grill, which she began when she was 21 years of age. Not only did she finish the program, loving every aspect of the business, but at 26 she was the youngest female to make partner of that company. By then she had met and married her true love, Larry Delgado.

Together they moved to McAllen to open house. wine. & bistro. in 2008, then Salt-New American Table in 2013, and Salomé on Main in 2019. 

Delgado fell in love with McAllen and has made giving back to the city part of her life through her caring, loving, hard-working spirit she brings to everything she does.

“Looking back at all the amazing men and women of the year, it’s an honor to be among them. My heart pledges to do good for our city not for any recognition because I never expected that. I just believe it’s the right thing to do. Our community deserves it and I know we deserve a beautiful city and community.”

It’s Jessica’s heart that speaks the loudest, for Larry and their twins first, but also for the work she cherishes.

“I think it’s what God intended for me to do – take care of people,” she stated. “Serving is my way of showing my love to our guests and the work I do in the community.”

Former chairwoman of the Texas Restaurant Association Education Foundation, Delgado remains on its board as well as on the Boys & Girls Club of McAllen board and boards of Friends of International Baccalaureate – Lamar Academy, and RGV Restaurant Association. This doesn’t include her work on Taste McAllen, MXLAN, and other Chamber events.

Congratulations, Jessica Delgado! We agree you truly belong on that list to be called – McAllen Chamber Woman of the Year!

Bob Boggus, owner and president of Boggus Ford, is not one for the spotlight, yet claims a surefire reason for his intensive community involvement.

“I was raised to give back to the community,” Boggus said. “My granddad was like that; my dad was like that. It’s part of who we are. That’s part of our family’s DNA and many other families as well. I learned giving back was important for us to support those who support us.”

Yet, even as he said that, it’s his heart that’s involved in the community. When his grandfather began the business in 1933, Boggus had no way of knowing what a difference his business would make to McAllen and the surrounding area, helping people make their way around the Valley with sturdy vehicles.

But it’s the organizations he’s helped that have brought out his passion, like being on the board of Salvation Army for over 20 years, and on boards for The Fellowship for Christian Athletes and McAllen Chamber, and supporting Habitat for Humanity and the Rio Grande Valley Food Bank. 

Though Boggus is cutting back on his work, spending more time in Austin with his grandchildren, he’s already planning for a big bash in 13 years when his company has its 100th Anniversary.

“And everyone is invited,” he laughed.

When it comes to the award, he’s like an ostrich, wanting to stick his head in the sand, hiding from the rightfully deserved recognition, happy just to be able to give back. As each Man & Woman of the Year has said over the years, he too feels others deserve it more, but he is truly appreciative.

Using what he learned from his dad and granddad, that one-on-one interaction with his customers turns them into friends, he continues to love his business world.

“I do love the auto business,” said Boggus. “I’ve been around it all my life, working many summers there growing up.”

He knew the family business was where he belonged and still relishes all parts of it from new and used vehicle sales to finance, service, parts, and the body shop. 

The balance in his life, over the years, has shown him what is important in life.

“Our community, to me, is everything. We all have the responsibility to give to our community, to make it a better place to live. It’s the sum of everybody’s contribution that makes McAllen and the Valley what they are today.  It’s knowing something we’re doing is making a difference.”

And so Bob Boggus takes his place among the greats of McAllen and becomes the 2019 McAllen Chamber Man of the Year.