EDINBURG, Texas - Pharr businessman Robert Lozano, CEO of F&P Brands, and his wife Laurie are to donate $1 million from the Robert & Laurie Lozano Family “Life Currency” Endowment to benefit Driscoll Children’s Hospital in the Rio Grande Valley.

Driscoll’s leadership says the funding will ensure children in the Valley will always have access to world-class care while supporting Driscoll’s healthcare workers.

F&P Brands run the Dairy Queen franchise in the Valley. Dairy Queen RGV said:

“Together with Driscoll Children’s Hospital, we announced the $1 million Robert & Laurie Lozano Family “Life Currency” Endowment. This fund will support Driscoll Healthcare workers and ensure that local children can always access world-class medical care. A portion of the funds will provide monetary incentives to frontline staff, while the rest will support the Driscoll Way program, offering training and development opportunities.

“F&P Brands believes that “Life Currency” are those intangible gifts like learning and personal development that are provided to team members through programs like the Driscoll Way, which enrich their lives personally and professionally and extend beyond the hospital walls.

“We're incredibly grateful to our team and fans for their unwavering support. Your contributions are making a real difference in the lives of countless children and families and allows us all to be a part of something bigger than ourselves.

“Together, we are Miracle Makers. Together, We Heal.”

Here is an audio recording of the remarks Robert and Laurie Lozano made at a press conference held to announce the donation.


Editor's Note: Go to the Rio Grande Guardian website to read the full story.

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MCALLEN, Texas - A former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico says chambers of commerce and the business community in general can help turn down ugly political rhetoric.

Antonio Garza was asked if political rhetoric hampers trade negotiations and good trade policies. He was asked this question by Cynthia Sakulenzki, president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, during a recent webinar that RGVHCC organized.

“I'm kind of glad you asked that one, because I do think it gives me an opportunity to say something to the role that the Rio Grande Valley Hispanic Chamber can play, and other private sector (entities can play) as we prepare for the (USMCA) sunset review process - whether it initiates on day one of the new administration, or whether you have a more institutional process that allows for some time to think about it,” Garza said.

“I think, typically, the rhetoric coming out of really all three countries (the United States, Mexico, and Canada), at times acts as a headwind. That outsized rhetoric makes it hard for people to sit at the table and work towards solutions and the ability for the private sector to help shape the debate, drive the debate, inform the debate is very good.”

Garza said he is of the view that the notion of political leadership is almost an oxymoron.

"You get more leadership out of the private sector. And office holders, if they know that the private sector is active and engaged, are more likely to listen and more likely to be responsive. So, it can create kind of a virtuous thing, but I think it has to be driven by the private sector,” Garza said.

“Without the private sector involvement, the political rhetoric tends to be kind of loud, not as well informed, and acts as a headwind to actually getting good and constructive things done.”

Garza noted that while the question from Sakulenzki was asked in relation to trade matters between the United States and Mexico, it could just as easily apply to immigration policy.

“Immediately, the political class injects kind of a level of rhetorical excess that makes it hard, because people are locked down and take positions before you get into the nuances of, what does reform mean? What do we need in terms of our economy? what do we need in terms of our security? What do we need? And you don't have those conversations if the rhetoric gets too loud and the private sector isn't at the table saying, turn down the volume. Let's try to get something done.

“So, I do think chambers and individual businesspeople play an enormous role in offsetting or at least muting some of the potential harm that outside rhetoric can cause.”

The webinar took place just before the U.S. presidential election.


Editor's Note: Go to the Rio Grande Guardian website to read the full story.

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AUSTIN, Texas - Viva Benefits, which was co-founded by former Rio Grande Valley teacher Michael Barnes, has announced a $2.2 million pre-seed fundraising round led by Chingona Ventures.

Viva Benefits is a network of affordable housing partners that helps renters access essential benefits like health, education, and financial wellness.

Chingona’s motto is: Investing in the founders of tomorrow at the beginning stages of today.

Samara Hernandez, founding partner at Chingona Ventures, said the new funding will accelerate Viva’s mission to make renter benefits mainstream and help bridge the 40X wealth equity gap between renters and homeowners.

“We are excited to invest in Viva because the founding team understands the real estate and property technology market and Viva has a clear path to scale,” said Samara Hernandez, founding partner at Chingona Ventures.

With the cash infusion, Hernandez has become a member of Viva’s board of directors.

While Chingona has led the fundraising effort, additional investors include Graham & Walker, Techstars Ventures, Altari Ventures, Everywhere Ventures, Vitalize Angels, and Atlanta Technology Angels. Notable angel investors including PadSplit CEO Atticus LeBlanc, and Bob Simpson, founder of the Multifamily Impact Council.

In an interview with the Rio Grande Guardian, Barnes, Viva’s CEO co-founder, said the median net wealth for a renter is approximately $10,000. He said this compares to $400,000 for the median homeowner.

“This is primarily due to home equity. Viva addresses the 40X disparity by empowering housing partners to offer life-changing renter benefits,” said Barnes, a former classroom teacher turned software engineer.

“We are ready to help make renter benefits as commonplace as employer benefits, and for our housing partners to reap the same rewards employers do – from increased retention to reduced expenses.”

Barnes explained that Viva enables renters — including primarily diverse, low- to middle-income families — to access essential benefits such as health, education, and financial wellness. He gave examples such as telehealth, virtual tutoring for kids, cash back in a high-yield savings account, and pre-qualification for grants to buy a home.

“This helps renters to stay healthy and happily employed, so they can pay their rent, maintain a stable home, and build wealth to make forward progress on their personal goals, like homeownership.”


Editor's Note: Go to the Rio Grande Guardian website to read the full story,

Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.