Texas Border Business

McAllen, Texas –

Paul R. Rodriguez is the President and CEO of Valley Land Title Company, a real estate title insurance agency with offices in McAllen, Mission, Edinburg and Weslaco. 

The August inauguration made Rodriguez the 108th TLTA president, becoming the first Rio Grande Valley native to ever earn the designation. 

TLTA is a statewide association representing the Texas title insurance industry that serves more than 15,000 professionals providing a program of regulatory and legislative advocacy on a state and federal level. Rodriguez has served as a board member for the past six years.

After 30 years of working in commercial banking where he served as President and CEO of national banks in Pharr and Mission, his decorated career continued with a flourishing title insurance business endeavor.

Rodriguez’ community service efforts through the years have been equally as impressive as his professional career. He served in various roles for the Mission Economic Development Authority, Mission Hospital, Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs, Sharyland I.S.D., Juan Diego Regional Catholic High School and Valley Alliance of Mentors for Opportunities & Scholarships. 

Currently, Rodriguez is a South Texas College trustee of District 3, Chairman of Municipal Utility District #1 and board member of Affordable Homes of South Texas. 

He has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Princeton University and has been married for 42 years to Myrna Hidalgo. They have three adult children and two grandsons. 

Woman of the Year 

Restaurant entrepreneur and creator of Santa Fe Steakhouse Wine Classic and University Drafthouse Beer Festival, Sony Rego, is the 2022 McAllen Chamber Woman of the Year.

Rego, along with business partners, have raised thousands of dollars in scholarships to benefit 300 high school students in McAllen since 2009 through the Santa Fe Steakhouse Wine Classic fundraiser.

The Jalisco born native spent much of her youth in Mexico City where she became the first of her family to attend and graduate college. Her career has had many journeys in various industries including Diesel Jeans, Radio Shack and IBM. Her first venture into the food world was a production and distribution business that serviced military bases and 7-Eleven convenience stores in Mexico. 

In 2000, Rego and her husband moved to the United States and delved into the hospitality business that made them household names in the Rio Grande Valley. They became owners of The Republic of the Rio Grande Grill and Cantina and co-owners of the Santa Fe Steakhouse & Cantina and the University Drafthouse with locations in McAllen and Edinburg. 

In 2015, Rego spearheaded the University Drafthouse Beer Festival which raises funds to benefit the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce and the Arts Foundation to support the restoration of historical buildings. 

Rego has been married to Albert for 26 years and have one son Rafael. Giving back to the community has been a point of emphasis for her family who have been a part of many worthy causes including RGV Catholic Charities, Vannie Cook, Easter Sales Telethon, Women Legends, Food Bank-Empty Bowls, Boys and Girls Club-Food and Wine Festival and the McAllen Chamber of Commerce-Tacos and Tequila. 

Currently, Rego is President Elect for the Easter Seals of the Rio Grande Valley and is a board member for the Valley Symphony Orchestra and the Texas Restaurant Association RGV Chapter. She is also a member of several organizations including Pan American Round Table and Zonta International Club. Most recently, she was awarded with the 2022 Restaurateur of the Year award by the Texas Restaurant Association. 

Rego earned a master’s degree in International Business from Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México and a bachelor’s degree in business administration fromUniversidad Tecnológica de México. 

Since 1955, the McAllen Chamber of Commerce has selected two outstanding pillars of the community to be recognized for their contributions to the City of McAllen. 

The 67th Annual “Man & Woman of the Year” Awards will take place from 6:30-10:00 p.m. on November 3rd, 2022, at Embassy Suites by Hilton McAllen. For reserved tables or sponsorships, please contact Vice President of Membership Services Blanca Cardenas at (956) 682-2871 or [email protected].

For additional questions, please feel free to contact Christine Cavazos, Vice President of Strategic Communications at (956) 525-0528 or at [email protected].

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