Chamber Joins Regional Leaders in Austin to Advocate for El Paso Transportation Priorities

The El Paso Chamber was proud to join a delegation of regional leaders in Austin to testify before the Texas Transportation Commission. Representing El Paso alongside State Senator César Blanco, El Paso County Commissioner Sergio Coronado (Precinct 4), and Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Executive Director Eduardo Calvo, the Chamber helped advocate for vital investments in transportation infrastructure that are essential to our region’s continued growth and connectivity.

During the testimony, the group emphasized the importance of funding long-standing priorities such as the Borderland Expressway and Downtown10. These projects are not only critical to safety and mobility, but they are also vital to El Paso’s economic competitiveness, cross-border trade, and workforce access.

As the voice of business in the Borderplex, the El Paso Chamber remains committed to advocating for infrastructure investments that support job growth, attract business development, and improve the quality of life for all El Pasoans. We are grateful to our local and state partners for their ongoing leadership and collaboration, and we look forward to continued progress on these shared goals.

Texas State Senator Cesar Blanco

El Paso County Commissioner for Precinct 4 Sergio Coronado

El Paso MPO Executive Director Eduardo Calvo

El Paso Chamber President & CEO

Ricardo Mora

El Paso Chamber Board of Directors Chairwoman Elizabeth O'Hara

Meet the CEO: Insights from Edward Escudero, High Desert Capital

The El Paso Chamber was proud to host its first impactful session of Meet the CEO, featuring Edward Escudero, CEO of High Desert Capital. This premier gathering brought together top executives and leaders from both for-profit and nonprofit sectors across El Paso and Ciudad Juárez for an engaging and candid conversation.

Mr. Escudero shared valuable insights into his business journey, lessons in leadership, and his outlook on the Borderplex region’s economic future. The conversation highlighted the power of perseverance, the importance of mentorship, and the role that innovation plays in long-term growth.

The Meet the CEO series is designed to foster genuine dialogue in an intimate setting, creating meaningful opportunities to connect with the individuals shaping our region’s economic landscape.

These sessions are just one of the many benefits available to the El Paso Chamber's Circle of Influence members. Interested in being part of these high-level conversations?

Click HERE to elevate your Chamber experience.

El Paso Electric CEO Kelly Tomblin

Pronto Body Shop President Tiffany Menefee, Wells Fargo Market Credit Leader VP Jill Macias, Sistema Axis SA de CV CEO Benito Fernandez, Red Balloon CEO Juan Carlos Sapien, GA Hospitality CEO Lalo Orozco

UTEP AVP for Innovation, Commercialization, and Economic Development Michael Dalby, FriendLee Modern Insurance VP Marketing Marcus Taylor, Raiz FCU CEO Max Villaronga

AlphaXpace LLC

Background Check Services

Ernesto Visconti

Amada Senior Care El Paso

Senior Home Care & Aging Support Services

Jorge Andazola

Beautique MD

Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine

Irene Gonzales

Budget Blinds El Paso

Window Treatments & Installation

Andres Najera

L&J Cafe Inc.

Local Dining & Events

Vanessa Duran

Leah Bardin Photography

Photography Services

Leah Bardin

Mr. Electric of El Paso

Electrical Services & Repairs

Damon Reynolds

One9 Travel

Fuel & Convenience Services

Dixie Colley

Pecan Grove Farms

Agriculture & Pecan Product Distribution

Anays Mendoza

Pop City Events LLC

Balloon Decor & Event Styling

Tami Primero

Lucia Servin LLC Commercial Real Estate

Commercial Real Estate Brokerage

Lucia Servin

Sevan

Construction & Program Management Services

Jim Evans

Texas A&M AgriLife Research

Agricultural & Life Services Research

Beth Racine

Texas Third Party Inspections

Building Inspection Services

Denise Vedder

DEPCOM Power

Energy Solutions & Renewable Infrastructure

Pamela Sassi

Freeport-McMoRan Invests $7 Million in UTEP’s Mining Engineering Program

The El Paso Chamber was proud to attend the announcement of a $7 million gift from Star Member Freeport-McMoRan to Chamber partner UTEP, supporting the revitalization of the university’s Mining Engineering Program.

This investment will help UTEP recruit top faculty, offer student scholarships, and upgrade lab facilities—ensuring students are prepared for in-demand careers in mining and geosciences.

We applaud Freeport-McMoRan and UTEP for their commitment to workforce development and innovation in the Borderplex. Their collaboration represents the kind of bold, future-focused leadership that moves El Paso forward.

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Celebrating Local Excellence During Small Business Week

The El Paso Chamber proudly joined the U.S. Small Business Administration in celebrating this year’s outstanding small business leaders during the SBA Small Business Week Luncheon. Among the honorees were two El Paso standouts who were nominated by the Chamber and went on to receive top regional recognition.

Cindy Klinglesmith of Team K Cleaning Services LLC was awarded the Veteran Small Business of the Year, while Jorge Ojeda of HAWK Construction received the Entrepreneurial Success Award. These well-deserved honors highlight the hard work, determination, and community impact both individuals have made through their businesses.

We congratulate Cindy, Jorge, and all of the awardees for their commitment to excellence and for playing a vital role in driving economic growth in our region. Their stories are a powerful reminder of the entrepreneurial spirit that defines El Paso.

2025 Border Health Innovation Summit: Where Borderland Innovation Meets Global Impact

Let’s accelerate discovery and opportunity—together. We invite you to join us for the 2025 Border Health Innovation Summit—this a one-of-a-kind event hosted by the Medical Center of the Americas Foundation (MCA) in collaboration with the El Paso Chamber (Event Bronze Sponsor) is a gathering of health leaders, academic researchers, clinicians, entrepreneurs, and investors united by a shared goal: advancing innovation that transforms health outcomes along the U.S.-Mexico border and beyond. Click here to register or learn more.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Why Not AI? Rethinking Business as Usual in the Borderplex

In an op-ed titled “Why Not AI?”, Dr. Daniel Covarrubias, Director of the Texas Center for Economic and Enterprise Development at Texas A&M International University, lays out a new mindset for businesses navigating today’s fast-changing technological landscape. His “Why-Not-AI?” test challenges companies to reverse the burden of proof—asking not why AI should be implemented, but why it shouldn’t.

Covarrubias draws from real-world examples at Shopify and Duolingo to show how leading companies are embedding AI into core business processes—not as an add-on, but as the default starting point.

As businesses in the Borderplex look to scale, streamline, and evolve, this mindset shift could redefine how we work, train talent, and position our region for economic resilience. The El Paso Chamber remains committed to championing innovation and workforce development across our region, and that includes helping our members explore emerging technologies like AI.

Read the full op-ed for a deeper dive into how AI is reshaping cross-border commerce—and what it means for the future of business.