DETROIT, Michigan - Leaders with the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation and UT-Rio Grande Valley will be in Detroit later this month to discuss “The Tools and Mindset Needed for Seeking Out-Of-This-World Projects.”
Gilberto Salinas, GBIC’s president, Jovanna Rangel, GBIC’s director of space and energy, at Linda Upland, UTRGV’s director of entrepreneurship, innovation and commercialization, will be at the four-day IEDC Annual Conference for 2025. IDEC stands for International Economic Development Council. The conference is being at the Huntington Place Convention Center and runs Sept. 14 thru 17.
The three Valley leaders speak on a panel titled “The Tools and Mindset Needed for Seeking Out-Of-This-World Projects” on September 16.
“So what do you do when your economic development success leads to the creation of a brand new city? You embrace it. That’s the case of Brownsville, Texas and its newest neighbor Starbase City - home to SpaceX HQ and its Starbase Factory & Launch Site,” the conference’s program notes say.
“Learn about how the Brownsville region went from a sleepy border town to a center for Space, Energy and Tech. How did it all happen and how did they get there? One word … change of mindset. A change of mindset as an EDO which is diligently working to accommodate all things growth, i.e., workforce, training, housing, water, electric, commercial, etc. This is somewhat of a crazy story of economic development success which takes it to different level. This session will provide examples and the tools in developing strategy, the power of convening, and having a proactive mindset to take on (no pun intended) out-of-this-world ideas.”
For more information on the conference go to: https://detroit.iedconline.org
Here are the biographies of the three Valley leaders that appear in the program notes for the IEDC Annual Conference:
President & CEO , Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation
Gilberto Salinas is the President & CEO of the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation, the economic development authority for the southernmost region Texas, as well as a mastermind coach who delivers a mix of economic development and leadership training with a rebel flare.
He was named in 2021 as one of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developers for his contributions to the field of economic development and is the recipient of DCI’s inaugural class of 40-Under-40 Rising Stars in Economic Development.
In his prior roles, he was the Executive Director of the Kerr EDC in Kerrville, Texas as well as Executive Vice President of the Brownsville EDC where in his capacity helped recruit Space Exploration Technologies (SpaceX) to what is now the Starbase Spaceport at Boca Chica. In 2023, Salinas was appointed by the Governor as Chairman of the Texas Education Agency oversight committee on charter education and also served a term in the Texas Aerospace & Aviation Advisory Committee.
Salinas earned a Bachelor of Journalism and a Master of Arts in Communication from the University of Texas. In his spare time, he performs stunt work for the television-film industry having appeared in From Dusk Till Dawn, The Walking Dead, 1923, The Lioness and Landman.
Director of Space and Energy, Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation
Jovanna Rangel is the Director of Space and Energy at the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation (GBIC), where she leads strategic initiatives to support the region’s growing space and energy sectors. In her role, she works closely with industry partners to align infrastructure, workforce, and policy solutions that foster innovation, investment, and long-term economic growth. Her work focuses on creating a competitive ecosystem for companies like SpaceX and other advanced energy players shaping the future of the Rio Grande Valley.
Prior to her current position, Jovanna served as GBIC’s Director of Business Retention & Expansion and Workforce Development, where she built strong partnerships with employers and training providers to strengthen the local talent pipeline. She also has experience in both the nonprofit and private sectors, with a background in community development and corporate leadership.
Jovanna is a Board Member of the Brownsville Chamber of Commerce and an advocate for inclusive economic development, regional collaboration, and next-generation workforce strategies. Her passion lies in leveraging cross-sector partnerships to drive transformative impact in Brownsville and beyond.
Director of Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Commercialization, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center
Linda Ufland is the Director of Entrepreneurship, Commercialization, and Innovation at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, where she provides strategic leadership at the Office of Workforce and Economic Development. Linda's role is pivotal in managing the Entrepreneurship and Commercialization Center (ECC), where her expertise in business incubation, entrepreneurial development, commercialization, and innovation comes to the forefront. She excels in offering guidance to entrepreneurs across the region, empowering them to launch and scale impactful ventures.
Under Linda's direction, the ECC actively develops vital partnerships with key stakeholders in economic development, both locally and internationally. These collaborations are geared towards creating robust pathways for commercialization and broader economic development, which are vital for the sustainable growth of the Rio Grande Valley. Linda's strategic vision has been instrumental in launching the eBridge project, which has emerged as the largest entrepreneurial hub in the region. Furthermore, her efforts have significantly enhanced the Pharr Global Business Hub in Pharr, Texas, a key center dedicated to supporting international entrepreneurs and fostering global business relationships.
Linda's roots are deeply embedded in the community she serves. Raised in Matamoros, Mexico across the border, she has a profound connection to the region. Her academic journey led her to the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in international business followed by a Master of Business Administration. Her educational background has equipped her with a deep understanding of international business dynamics, which she leverages to fuel her commitment to public service and economic transformation in the Rio Grande Valley.
A respected leader and a dedicated public servant, Linda's work extends beyond her immediate responsibilities. Her board assignments at International Business Innovation Association (INBIA), Rio Grande Vally Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Brownsville Convention and Visitors Bureau (BCVB), along with her recognized certifications in entrepreneurial development, incubation, technology commercialization, and certified public manager, highlight her commitment to professional excellence and community service. Linda's professional journey is driven by a dedication to initiating transformative economic and entrepreneurial changes that promise a brighter future for generations to come to her region.
