BROWNSVILLE, RGV – Mario Lozoya, governmental relations and external affairs director for Toyota Corporation in San Antonio, is joining the Greater Brownsville Incentives Corporation (GBIC) as the group’s new executive director and will be working to help expand the offerings of FIRST in the Rio Grande Valley for underserved youth interested in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

Lozoya was born in Rio Bravo, Tamaulipas, and raised in McAllen, Texas. He is a decorated combat veteran of the Iraqi War who served 23 years in active duty for the U.S. Marines. While in the Marines he completed long-term deployments in South Korea, Japan, and the Middle East.

“I’m very excited, very excited for the opportunity. I’ve always looked for an opportunity to come do some good in the Valley and I think this is the opportunity,” Lozoya responded.

“My intention is to come and help not only Brownsville, but to try and set processes and establish processes that we can share across the Valley. It’s going to be very important for us to create allies and relationships across the Valley as we move forward.”

Mario’s leadership at the state level has influenced a lot in the areas of workforce and advanced manufacturing and we’re now happy to be able to bring his knowledge and know-how, not just to Brownsville, but to the Valley. In this way the Valley can become a leader in advanced manufacturing by creating more pathways for students that are interested in pursuing STEM careers, said Jason Arms, president of FIRST RGV, INC.

Statewide appointments

Lozoya was appointed by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick to the Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) Grant Program advisory board – a program that allocated ten million dollars each biennium for the development of career and technical education programs across Texas.

Patrick also appointed him to the advisory council for Pathways in Technology and Early College High School. The 13-member board is tasked with promoting education and business partnerships across the state and ensuring that the Texas education system prepares students for 21st century workforce demands.

Texas Secretary of Sate Rolando Pablos is a big fan of Lozoya’s work. In a news release issued by GBIC, Pablos said:

“Adopting a sound policy for regional economic development collaboration amongst all communities in the Rio Grande Valley will be key to achieving sustainable economic prosperity for this dynamic border community.

“Mr Lozoya has what it takes to convene the region’s stakeholders and lead them into a new era of unbridled and systematic regional cooperation and coordination. Brownsville and there entire RGV are lucky to have him.”

We are honored to have him come to the Rio Grande Valley, Arms said. Mr Lozoya has been a powerhouse as an advocate for FIRST all across Texas as part of the Toyota Manufacturing group and now having someone like that joining our community, will help us amplify awareness about the efforts of the FIRST team in the Rio Grande Valley, Arms added.

In a tweet announcing his move to Brownsville, Lozoya stated “I’m going to help FIRST grow in Brownsville, Tx”.

Working together, we are FIRST!

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Background provided by: Rio Grande Guardian