BUILDING FINANCIAL CAPACITY COALITION
MISSION
TO FOSTER COMMUNITY PROSPERITY BY ENHANCING THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS RIO GRANDE VALLEY FAMILIES NEED TO IMPROVE THEIR FINANCIAL DECISION-MAKING.
PURPOSE
DEVOTED TO TEACHING AND PROVIDING RESOURCES TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES ON HOW TO MANAGE THEIR PERSONAL AND SMALL BUSINESS FINANCES.
MEET THE TEAM
BERTHA GARZA
Executive Director
Bertha Garza is an established leader in the Brownsville community with more than 48 years of experience in banking. During her tenure, she supervised all marketing efforts for 12 IBC Bank branches in Cameron County, and was responsible for coordinating donation requests, along with the completion of public relations campaigns, event planning and representing IBC Bank-Brownsville in the community.
NOEMI X. SALAS
President
NXS Consulting & Wealth Management Founder, Noemi X. Oliver, has over 21 years of experience in helping clients meet their financial goals. Detail-oriented Financial Consultant with a demonstrated ability to develop and maintain relationships with customers, anticipating needs, and identifying suitable financial solutions. Skilled in overseeing projects and improving processes. Recognized as a top advisor nationally based on assets under management; attained 66th place in 2015, and top female advisor in 2017. Manages portfolios consisting of investments, annuities, disability, and life insurance products. Community Involvement includes, State Representative -Hispanic Women’s Network, Board Member -Zonta Club of Brownsville, Board Member -Moody Clinic, VP Corporate Marketing – Sombrero Festival, Recognized by the American Red Cross as Volunteer of the Year (2007) San Antonio chapter.
ROSALVA LARRASQUITU
Secretary
Rosalva Larrasquitu is currently the Parent and Family Engagement Coordinator with the Brownsville Independent School District. She received a Bachelor’s Degree from Pan American University in Brownsville and her Master’s Degree from the University of Texas at Brownsville. She has dedicated the last thirty-five years educating students and their families.
Throughout the twenty-one years in the classroom, Rosalva knew that the foundation in any child’s life began at home, therefore including their parents in understanding the educational process. Parents are truly a child’s first and most influential teacher. Rosalva believes that in order to fully teach a child, their family must be involved.
LETICIA ROMERO
Board Member
KAREN PENA
Board Member
MARVIE GARCIA
Treasurer
Marbelia “Marvie” Garcia is currently a Business Relationship Manager II, Vice President managing a substantial commercial lending and depository portfolio with Lone Star National Bank. Marvie has been in banking for over 40 years. She previously held a position with IBC Bank for 25 years where she was a VP Commercial Lender in the Commercial Lending Department.
Lone Star National Bank is known as the Valley’s Bank and meeting the needs of our community is a very important factor, providing the best customer service and meeting the business needs of our customers. Being part of the Lone Star National Bank team since Oct 2018 has allowed her opportunity to reach out to the entire Rio Grande Valley and service people from all walks of life.
Marvie serves her customers in a very unique way, she truly gets to know her customer, she looks at the overall needs and lets the customer see the pros and cons in order to make a sound financial decision. Marvie builds on being a good partner and her experience to reache out to the resources she has that are needed to accomplish whatever request she gets. Her customers are lucky to have an experienced lender who knows the region, knows her job and believes in helping them..
Being involved in the community all her entire career, Lone Star National Bank promotes her involvement in non profit organizations and fundraising for BFCC- Building Financial Capacity Coalition - Treasurer; Project Space RGV - President; Library Foundation- member, and CDA- Catholic Daughters of America Financial Secretary 2nd Term. Her Leadership skills were developed early in her career and became more evident by her participation in various leadership workshops and conferences such as her involvement with Leadership Texas Class of 2015 where her love of community and service became more evident.
Marvie is married to James, she has two children, Krystal Leann, and Eric Michael Urena.
I began my insurance career in 2014 with a local Insurance Broker and continue my career as owner of R&R Financial and Retirement Planning and President for one the fastest growing brokers in the nation, Curiman Brokers of the Rio Grande Valley. Before joining the insurance industry, I worked in the healthcare industry, marketing for a local homecare provider service. Equipped with over 15 years of experience in building sales and managing accounts, I use my extensive network to empower the agents within my broker. I pride myself in providing my agents with the tools they need to increase their scope and connection with their clientele. My greatest strengths I believe is my creativity, drive and leadership. I thrive on challenges, particularly those that expand my company's reach. My reach for excellence is a valuable asset as I continue to oversee sales and marketing in the Rio Grande Valley area for my agency and broker. My generation is balancing uncertainty in a number of areas from careers, real estate and health care costs, to rising education costs, aging parents and longer life expectancy. It is more important than ever that we make solid financial decisions about our future. My
mission is to help families plan and create the life of their dreams. I currently serve on the board for the Harlingen Area Education Foundation and work in partnership with Harlingen CISD to initiate and support quality learning. Serving on this board has given me a deep appreciation for how non-profit organizations seek to improve the quality of life for our communities and schools, one program at a time.
Karen Peña was born and raised in Brownsville Texas, and comes from a humble family. Graduate from Homer Hanna in 2008 and joined IBC Bank straight out of high school. Karen began her career as a part time teller. From there she worked her way up through the ranks and advanced to Senior Sales Supervisor and finally to Marketing Manager. Karen manages the Marketing department, promoting IBC Bank throughout the community. She coordinates all financial literacy events, which serve as a tool to educate children and adults in financial lessons. In addition, she is the liaison between IBC Bank and nonprofits in Cameron County.
In addition, she is actively involved with the community as part of the IBC Community Development Corporation Board, where she has served as president, secretary, project chair, and newsletter coordinator.
ERIKA SIKES
Board Member
ZORAIMA DIAZ-PINEDA
Board Member
Erika Sikes is currently the Lead Career Placement Officer for the Brownsville Independent School District Career and Technical Education Department. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from St. Mary’s University and a Master of Business Administration and Master of Education from the University of Texas at Brownsville. She has been an educator for over 20 years. She has experience as a classroom teacher, academic counselor, and lead career counselor. She works with students, teachers, administrators, parents and our local community.
Mrs. Diaz-Pineda leads the La Puerta program team and is responsible for overseeing the Community Development Corporation of Brownsville's financial sustainability and wealth building initiatives. Her role includes the planning, coordination, implementation and evaluation of several financial capability programs including, housing counseling, financial coaching, financial literacy education, VITA tax preparation and IDA matched savings. She has extensive experience in program and product research, design and evaluation. Prior to joining CDCB, Zoraima conducted financial services research, program development, and policy analysis at the Institute for Assets and Social Policy, the National Council of La Raza, and the Texas State Senate. Zoraima received a Master’s Degree in Social Policy from Brandeis University, a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs and Bachelor’s Degree in Government and Mexican American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin and recently completed the LISC Rubinger Fellowship.
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If you have any questions call Bertha Garza or contact us at BFCCRGV@gmail.com
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