LAREDO, Texas - Teclo Garcia, CEO of Mission Economic Development Corporation, has called for more integration between the Rio Grande Valley and Laredo.
Garcia made his “plea” when speaking at Laredo Economic Development Corporation’s recent Pathways for Trade Symposium, held at Laredo Country Club.
Mission EDC was a sponsor of the symposium and Garcia introduced a “keynote” presentation by John Brooks, executive vice president and chief marketing office of Canadian Pacific Kansas City, the first single-line rail network connecting Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.
From the podium, Garcia said:
“It's good to see so many faces here. I was the City of Laredo’s first ever economic development director. I was hired in 2019 and it was a really good experience for me. I learned a lot and made some really, really good friends and long standing relationships. So it's good to see all of you here.
In front of me is the leadership of Laredo… and I want to thank the Laredo EDC for putting on such a such a really good event.
“I want to introduce your next speaker. But before I do, I want just take two minutes of your time to make a few comments. And one is, when I told my friends in McAllen that I was taking job, several people said, ‘you've got to find out what Laredo is doing, because they are kicking our butt over there.’ I said, okay, yeah, I'll check it out.
“And so when I got here, people looked at me with a jaundiced eye, because I'm from the Valley, and they said, ‘look, you're from the Valley. They are kicking our butts. You need to find out and tell us what they're doing now.’
“And of course, all of that is ridiculous, because both areas are doing great. As mentioned, and as you know, Laredo is North America’s No. 1 port of entry or trade port. And by the way, those of you who are not familiar, I know we have some people from Houston here, the Port of Laredo gets $80 billion more in trade than the Port of Houston.”
The audience applauded.
Garcia continued:
“Our speaker is going to talk about North American integration and some other things that are on his mind, that he's wanting to message to us. However, before he starts, let me make a call, a plea, for more integration between the Valley and Laredo. There are different assets in the Valley and Laredo. We know what Laredo does. We know what the Valley does.
“Adam is here and his team are here. They are with COSTEP and they represent both areas in their trade group. But we both really do a lot of good in our different ways. And you've heard many people say over the last years, we need to compete as a region in Texas and northern Mexico. And we really do.
“Gerry and I have been at so many meetings together when that is preached constantly, and it's true, we have a golden opportunity between the two regions (Laredo and the RGV) and northern Mexico to really move this area forward in all aspects, education, job training, the job creation, investment, trade, etc. So I make that request.
“This is the golden hour for our region, and we are at a pivotal time, with more bridges and other things that that are coming forward to us. And, by the way, Mission also has a bridge taking on cargo responsibilities beginning this spring. So we are in that boat to.
“So thank you very much for listening to my quick remarks.”
The “Adam” Garcia referenced was Adam Gonzalez, CEO of the Council for South Texas Economic Progress (COSTEP). The “Gerry” Garcia referenced was Gerald Schwebel, executive vice president of IBC Bank.
Here is a video recording of Garcia’s remarks in full, along with the keynote presentation by CPKC’s Brooks:
John Brooks, executive vice president and chief marketing officer of Canadian Pacific Kansas City, is flanked by Alma Acevedo, president of Global Tooling Specialties, Inc., and master of ceremonies at the 2025 Pathways for Trade Symposium, and David A. Stedman, president and CEO of Laredo Economic Development Corporation. (Photo: RGG/Steve Taylor)
As Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of CPKC, John Brooks is responsible for CPKC’s business units and leads a group of highly capable sales and marketing professionals across North America.
Mr. Brooks is also responsible for strengthening partnerships with existing customers, generating new opportunities for growth, enhancing the value of the company's service offerings and developing strategies to optimize CPKC's book of business.
With more than 25 years in the railroading business, Mr. Brooks brings a breadth of experience to the CMO role that is pivotal to CPKC's growth and success.
Previously, Mr. Brooks served as Executive Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer at Canadian Pacific (CP). Throughout Mr. Brooks’ sales and marketing career, he has held senior responsibilities in all lines of business, including coal, chemicals, merchandise products, grain and intermodal. He began his railroading career with Union Pacific and later helped start I&M Rail Link, LLC, which was purchased by the Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad (DM&E) in 2002. Mr. Brooks was Vice-President of Marketing at the DM&E prior to it being acquired by CP in 2007.
