Southmost
About Us
The Southmost Section of APA Texas represents planners across South Texas, including the Rio Grande Valley, Laredo area, Corpus Christi area, and King Ranch area.
The Section supports professional development, regional collaboration, and planning excellence across South Texas.
Our Mission
To elevate planning practice, strengthen regional partnerships, and support the next generation of planners in South Texas.
Location
The Southmost Section includes the following counties: Aransas, Bee, Brooks, Cameron, Duval, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, Karns, Kenedy, Kleberg, Live Oak, McMullen, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Starr, Webb, Willacy, and Zapata Counties
2026-2028 Leadership
Elected Officials
| Director | Daniel Leal, AICP, Assoc. AIA | City of Brownsville | daniel.leal@brownsvilletx.gov |
|---|---|---|---|
| Director-Elect | Vacant | ||
| Secretary | Vacant | ||
| Treasurer | Joe Garza | City of Pharr | joe.garza@pharr-tx.gov |
| Past Director | Cristina Garcia | City of Alton | cristina.garcia@alton-tx.gov |
Appointed Officials
| Communications Coordinator | Vacant | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Development Officer (PDO) | Vacant | ||
| Rural Planning Coordinator | Vacant | ||
| Emerging Planning Leader | Vacant |
Friday, April 10 & Saturday, April 11, 2026, Brownsville, TX
FRIDAY, APRIL 10 — MINI‑CONFERENCE
Location: Downtown Brownsville
Time: 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
8:30 AM – Registration Check-In – Revival of Cultural Arts
9:00 AM — Welcome Remarks
Mayor John Cowen – Mayor of Brownsville, RGVMPO Chair. Fred Lopez, President of APA-TX
9:15 AM — South Texas Planning Directors Panel
The State & Future of South Texas Cities: Brownsville, Edinburg, and Mission.
Moderated by Daniel Leal, Director of APA-TX Southmost
10:35 AM — The Future of Transportation in South Texas
RGVMPO, TxDOT Pharr, TxDOT Corpus Christi.
Moderated by Marty Boyd, Former Advanced Transportation Planning Director, TxDOT – El Paso
12:00 PM — Keynote Speaker (lunch provided)
Helen Ramirez, AICP, former City Manager of Brownsville
1:15 PM — APA Texas Southmost Section Discussion
Challenges and opportunities, and how to overcome them together.
Moderated by Joe Garza, APA Texas Chapter Southmost Section Treasurer
2:15 PM — Walking Tour Downtown Brownsville & Cultural District
Facilitated by Allan Garces, Downtown Manager
3:45 PM — Collaboration Activity with all Attendees
Planning for the Future of South Texas Cities. Facilitated by Marco Hinojosa, LAP Chair
4:30 PM — Closing Remarks
Fred Lopez & Marco Hinojosa, Board of Directors APA-TX
5:00 PM — Happy Hour Networking
Co‑hosted by the Latinos and Planning Division (LAP)
7:00 PM — Brownsville First Friday Celebration
A regionally famous, lively downtown event with top regional bands, local vendors, food trucks, and more! Three different stages with three different genres, at a walking distance.
SATURDAY, APRIL 11 — REGIONAL TOURS
Time: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
8:00 AM — Leadership Breakfast (optional)
Breakfast with State Chapter and Section Leadership if you are interested in serving in some capacity with the Section
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM - Tours (transportation provided)
Option 1: Brownsville / Regional Economic Development
Facilitated by Eleazar Rodriguez, Director of Industrial Park Development, GBEDC; Doro Garcia, Assistant City Manager with CoB; Jesse Miller, AIA, Public Safety Complex PM, Megamorphosis
·GBIC Technology Park ·Brownsville Public Safety Complex ·Port of Brownsville ·SpaceX (windshield)
Option 2: Affordable Housing & Community Development
Facilitated by Daniel Leal, AICP, Director of Planning and Redev. CoB; Carla Mancha, CEO HACB; Nick Mitchell-Bennett, CEO CDCB
·HACB & CDCB urban core sites ·El Jardín, Samano bldg, Buena Vida community plan ·Affordable modular housing manufacture facility ·CoB Downtown Resurrection Project