WESLACO, Texas - Paco Sanchez, chief of staff to state Rep. Oscar Longoria, has been appointed president and CEO of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership.
The RGV Partnership has been the Valley’s regional chamber of commerce for the past 80 years. It has been without a president and CEO since Daniel Silva left to join South Texas Vo-Tech in April, 2025.
Sanchez brings two decades of legislative experience in the Texas House of Representatives, having served as legislative director for State Representative Armando Mondo Martinez before becoming Longoria’s chief of staff.
In addition to his public sector experience, Sanchez was a litigation specialist for Hinojosa Law, PLLC, handling commercial litigation and other personal injury cases. He is a graduate of Donna High School and holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Texas, Texas at Austin. He earned his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center.
“During his time in the legislature, Sanchez played a key role in the passage of numerous state laws related to transportation infrastructure, water resources, agriculture, health care, disaster management, higher education, international trade and economic and workforce development,” a press release from RGVP states.
“He has worked with communities across the Rio Grande Valley to enhance quality of life for residents, and has partners, partnered with stakeholders to strengthen and advance regional priorities and economic growth.”
Sanchez said he is “excited and honored” to join RGVP as its new president and CEO.
“From my first day in the legislature, the RGV Partnership has been the Valley's voice for the business community at the state and federal levels,” Sanchez said. “From hosting the RGV Legislative Tour to spearheading RGV Days in Austin and RGV2DC, the RGV Partnership drives the economic engine of the Valley.
“With a renewed focus on legislative advocacy, enhancing member benefits and our new RGV Connect initiative, I look forward to collaborating with stakeholders across the four-county region to strengthen our region's influence.”
The RGVP press release also stated: “The Rio Grande Valley Partnership is a business-led, regional nonprofit organization focused on advancing economic development, advocacy and collaboration across Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy counties. The organization brings together business leaders, elected officials and community stakeholders to address shared regional priorities and promote long-term economic growth.”
Sanchez pointed out that Partnership is known for its RGV Legislative Tour during each state legislative session, hosting state senators, representatives and key staff members in the Valley to learn about the region and promote its legislative priorities.
Sanchez said that in the lead up to the 90th legislative session, the Partnership will gather ideas and community input for the tour through their RGV Connect initiative. He said each work session will focus on pillar issues for the Partnership, and with the first meeting slated to cover transportation issues in Mission later this month.
“The RGV Legislative Tour is the signature event of each session, and the RGV Partnership is preparing early, gathering community and stakeholder input through the RGV Connect initiative.,” Sanchez said. “The ideas gathered during these work sessions will inform the partnerships legislative agenda and help us promote our region's priorities during session and beyond.”
Former RGV Partnership board member Ron Whitlock said the appointment of Sanchez was smart.
“Paco Sanchez is an excellent choice to run the Partnership because he is hard-working, dedicated, a deep thinker and well-connected,” Whitlock said. “With Paco at the helm I can see the Partnership focusing much more on policy and legislative issues, which is a good thing. Bravo to the board for this appointment.”
