South Texas: Bridging Education, Workforce and Entrepreneurship

This roundtable discussion will be moderated by Linda Leto Head, the founder of Leto Consultants, a firm specializing in educational and workforce development strategy. Linda has over 36 years of experience in community college leadership, specifically helping institutions build and sustain high-impact technical workforce programs. She advises and coaches emerging leaders to ensure technical programs are student-centered, fiscally sound, and responsive to industry needs. Her experience also includes nearly 10 years in the oil, gas, and information technology sectors

Dr. Jesús Roberto Rodríguez, President of Texas Southmost College (TSC), will provide Texas businesses with his blueprint for highly adaptable, industry-aligned workforce training. His message centers on the college’s role as a "workforce engine" that rapidly pivots to meet the specific labor demands of the Rio Grande Valley's expanding high-tech and industrial sectors.

Talking points:

TSC's "always yes" approach to employer needs, providing customized non-credit or credit-based programs designed specifically for a company's unique workforce requirements.

Current initiatives to address shortages in critical industries, such as pipefitting, welding, and healthcare, including plans for a new Workforce Training Center on South Padre Island to meet growing regional labor demands.

Insights into successful collaborations, such as the partnership with SteelCoast and the Harlingen Chamber of Commerce, which focus on building talent pipelines for small businesses and major industrial players alike. In addtion, programs that are unique in the nation, such as Industrial Insulation and Forensic Macro Photography, as well as emerging fields like Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) pilot training.

Sean Herrity is the co-founder of South Texas Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (STAMP), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation formed to serve as a nexus for innovation, trade, talent, and sustainable growth. The mission of STAMP is to drive South Texas into the future as the epicenter for Advanced Manufacturing in Texas. The vision of the South Texas Advanced Manufacturing Partnership is committed to leaving a lasting “STAMP” or mark on Texas’s economy by establishing South Texas as a regional powerhouse for advanced manufacturing. Their vision is to transform Texas’s economic landscape by expanding the regional economic zone known as the “Texas Triangle” into the more powerful and globally competitive new “Texas Diamond” with South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley delivering Advanced Manufacturing prowess to meet industry demands.

As the joint President and CEO of both the McAllen Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, Elizabeth Suarez will discuss the role that McAllen plays in the success of the Rio Grande Valley.

Topics she will cover:

• Recent unveiling of the McAllen Economic Pulse 2026 report, focusing on the city's "Next Is Now" momentum, major projects driving McAllen, the region's history in the automotive industry, and more.
• Insights into the McAllen–Reynosa corridor, highlighting access to two labor markets and regulatory systems that allow companies to scale without the complexity of full relocation.
• Perspectives from the recent MXLAN International Economic Summit regarding how Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping the regional workforce and industrial landscape.
• As the former Director of Aviation, she will touch on the $26 million expansion and rising passenger traffic at McAllen International Airport as a primary driver for regional business connectivity.
• Updates on the MEDC Jumpstart initiative, which aligns healthcare, hospitality, and private industry to connect over 1 million regional laborers with immediate career pathways.

The panelists will discuss how to utilize tools available such STAMP, and Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) grants and federal support—including over $23 million invested in state-of-the-art skills labs—to lower training costs for both students and employers.