After more than 20 years in economic development across the Rio Grande Valley, I’m honored to begin a new chapter as vice president of entrepreneurship and innovation at the Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation (BCIC).
This transition is both professional and deeply personal for me. My career has always been rooted in one purpose: creating opportunities for people in our region—whether that’s helping businesses grow, supporting job creation, or connecting individuals to the resources they need to succeed. In many ways, this role allows me to come full circle, focusing on one of the most powerful drivers of economic growth—entrepreneurship.
What excites me most about this opportunity is the ability to directly contribute to the continued growth of Brownsville—not just through entrepreneurship, but through the broader impact of BCIC’s work as a Type 4B economic development organization. From quality-of-life projects to strategic investments across the community, I’m energized by the chance to help advance initiatives that create lasting, visible impact for residents and businesses alike.
Most recently, I had the privilege of serving as president of South Texas Vocational Technical Institute in Brownsville, where my focus was on workforce development. Every day, I saw firsthand the impact of equipping students with the skills needed to enter high-demand careers. That experience reinforced something I’ve always believed: when you invest in people, you strengthen entire communities.
Before that, I served as president and CEO of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership, where I worked alongside leaders across the four counties to elevate the Valley’s voice at the state and national levels. Through initiatives like “One Region, One Voice,” we demonstrated the power of regional collaboration and the importance of telling our story in a unified way.
Earlier in my career, as CEO of the Mission Economic Development Corporation, I had the opportunity to help build programs like the Center for Education and Economic Development (CEED) and Ruby Red Ventures. Those efforts were focused on supporting entrepreneurs—providing not just resources, but belief in their ideas. That work left a lasting impression on me and continues to shape how I think about economic development today.
Now, in my role at BCIC, I’m excited to help strengthen Brownsville’s entrepreneurship ecosystem by supporting startups, expanding access to capital, and working alongside partners to create an environment where innovation can thrive.
To me, entrepreneurship is about more than launching a business. It’s about creating opportunity, building generational wealth, and empowering individuals to shape their own futures. Brownsville is at a unique moment, and I believe we have the talent, the ideas, and the momentum to build something truly special.
I also recognize that no one organization can do this alone. Real progress comes from collaboration—bringing together entrepreneurs, educators, investors, and community leaders around a shared vision. That’s the work I’m most excited about: building connections and creating pathways that didn’t exist before.
At the end of the day, my commitment remains the same as it has been throughout my career—to serve the Rio Grande Valley and invest in its people. This region has given me so much, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue giving back in a way that helps shape its future.
Editor's Note: The above commentary was penned by Daniel Silva, the new vice president of entrepreneurship and innovation at Brownsville Community Improvement Corporation. It appears in the RGG Business Journal with the permission of the author.
