The Border Texan Committee has announced Texas A&M University Chancellor John Sharp as the 2018 Border Texan of the Year.  “Chancellor Sharp is someone with special connections and affection to the Rio Grande Valley, helping to pave the way for opportunities for the region,” said Glen Roney, Chairman of the Border Texan committee as he made the announcement.

Echoing this sentiment was 2017 Border Texan of the Year Texas Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr., stating that Chancellor Sharp was the epitome of public servant for his decades of serving the citizens of Texas in various capacities.

Chancellor Sharp was extremely honored and humbled to be selected as this year’s Border Texan of the Year.

The Border Texan of the Year banquet will be held this year on Friday, April 13, 2018 at the McAllen Convention Center, 700 Convention Center Boulevard.  The reception will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the dinner and program to follow at 7:00 p.m.  Table sponsorships are available for $1,250.  For more information on tickets and sponsorship, please contact Susan Dietz at (956) 661-5457 or at sjjcd@aol.com.   

Border Texan is a non-profit organization that identifies business, community or elected leaders who advocate and raise awareness of border issues. 

Texas Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, Dr. Shirley Reed, president of South Texas College and Robert Vacker, Presidnet/CEO of Bert Ogden & Fiesta Dealerships, all previous Border Texans of the Year were on hand for today’s announcement, as was City of McAllen Mayor Jim Darling.

“Chancellor Sharp has long been a friend of the Rio Grande Valley and instrumental in helping to develop the new Texas A&M campus that is located in McAllen which will be opening its doors to students in the fall of 2018,” said Mayor Darling.

Other previous Border Texan of the Year Honorees include then-Gov. George W. Bush; then-Gov. Rick Perry, Lt. Bob Bullock, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and Sen. John Cornyn, to name a few.

The Border Texan of the Year annual banquet recognizes individuals in the Rio Grande Valley who advocate for the improvement of issues important to the area, including education, funding, transportation, business, security, and health needs, as well as other issues important to the region.  The annual banquet raises funds which are awarded to area non-profit organizations. 

The Border Texan of the Year Committee includes: Glen Roney, Chairman; Joe La Mantia, L&F Distributors; John David Franz, Attorney; Gary Gurwitz, Atlas, Hall & Rodriguez, L.L.P; Paul Moxley, Texas Regional Bank; Val La Mantia Peisen, L&F Distributors.