LEDC Strengthens Economic Leadership with Board Appointments of TAMIU A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business Leaders
The Laredo Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) has appointed two leaders from Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business to its Board of Directors, affirming the University’s extensive role in regional economic development.
LEDC Chairman Ignacio Urrabazo, Jr., President and CEO of Commerce Bank, has appointed Dr. Luis A. Pérez-Batres, dean, and Radcliffe Killam Distinguished Professor of the Sanchez School of Business, as a voting member. Dr. Daniel Covarrubias, director of the Texas Center for Border Economic and Enterprise Development (Texas Center), has been named special advisor to the Board.
These appointments come at a pivotal time as Laredo solidifies its position as the largest port of entry in the Americas, processing nearly $340 billion in annual trade. They also reflect TAMIU’s expanding role in economic development, particularly in cross-border trade, transportation, and logistics, Dr. Pérez observed.
“At the Sanchez School, we believe business education should be a catalyst for regional economic development,” said Dr. Pérez, “These appointments enable us to translate academic expertise into real-world impact, fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable growth for Laredo and beyond. Collaborating with the LEDC strengthens the bridge between education and economic opportunity, empowering our students and the business community to create a brighter future.”
Dr. Covarrubias emphasized the role of research in shaping policy and economic strategies.
“Our work at the Texas Center consistently highlights the critical role of cross-border trade in our region’s economic trajectory. This advisory position ensures that our data-driven insights contribute directly to economic development initiatives,” he explained.
Under Covarrubias’s leadership, the Texas Center has become a key resource in North American trade integration and technological advancements in logistics.
The Center recently released its Economic Impact Analysis FY 2024 Report , which showed that TAMIU generated $374 million in economic impact for Webb County's economy while supporting nearly 6,300 jobs during fiscal year 2024.
The LEDC has long been instrumental in attracting capital investment and fostering job creation. Meanwhile, TAMIU continues to receive national recognition for its commitment to economic mobility and workforce development. Both institutions share a vision of creating new opportunities for Laredoans while advancing the region's economic prosperity, Pérez noted.
Established in 1966, the LEDC serves as Laredo's primary private-sector liaison for new and expanding businesses. One of only 74 organizations nationwide accredited by the International Economic Development Council, it plays a crucial role in positioning Laredo and Webb County as key hubs for global trade and investment.
For more about TAMIU’s A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business, contact the Office of the Dean at 956.326.2480. For details on TAMIU’s Texas Center for Border Economic and Enterprise Development, call 956.326.2520. Additional School of Business information is online.
More on the University’s story is available at tamiu.edu and from its social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X-Twitter, and YouTube.
