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Maverick County Development Corporation Names New Executive Director

Eagle Pass, Texas; December 1, 2005 The Maverick County Development Corporation (MCDC), named Judith A. Canales as its new Executive Director. In this position, Canales will direct and oversee the operations of the private, nonprofit corporation whose purpose is to attract new business to Eagle Pass and Maverick County and assist existing local businesses to expand.

The Maverick County Development Corporation is headquartered in Eagle Pass, Texas. The previous Executive Director, Marga Lopez, now serves as the Assistant Director for Planning and Community Development for the City of Eagle Pass.

"The Maverick County Development Corporation is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Canales as the new Executive Director for the Corporation, "said Alfredo Ontiveros, MCDC Board Chair. "Eagle Pass and Maverick County are growing communities. We must take advantage of this growth and focus on diversifying and expanding industry which will in turn create new jobs."

"We will work with all of our partners to proactively market Eagle Pass and Maverick County to attract business investment as well as sustain our present industries in order to create jobs and strengthen our economy," said Ontiveros.

Judith Canales previously served as Executive Director of the International Hispanic Network, an organization of Hispanic government professionals, as Acting Associate Administrator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Business-Cooperative Service in Washington, D.C.; Deputy State Director for USDA Rural Development in Texas; Legislative Representative, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Legislative Representative for New York City Mayor David Dinkins. She was also the Assistant City Manager of City of Eagle Pass, and has served as the Director of Human Resources for the Kickapoo Lucky Eagle Casino.

Ms. Canales began her local government career working with the City of San Antonio, and the City of Phoenix, Arizona. She also served as a public policy fellow with the National Council of La Raza and coauthored the policy report, "The Hispanic Housing Crisis."

Canales received a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Master of Arts in Urban Studies from Trinity University, San Antonio, Texas, Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, and an Associate of Arts degree from Southwest Texas Junior College.

Her volunteer service includes past national president of MANA - A national Latina organization. She is a graduate of the National Hispana Leadership Institute and a graduate of Leadership Texas. She is a member of the Eagle Pass Rotary Club and serves as Board President for the El Camino Girl Scout Council. Ms. Canales serves as adjunct faculty with Southwest Texas Junior College. She is a business owner and consultant.

"I am honored to be selected as the new Executive Director for the Maverick County Development Corporation," said Ms. Canales. "This is a tremendous opportunity to work with and involve all of our local business leaders and government entities to advance Eagle Pass and Maverick County. My role is to serve as a positive force to promote Eagle Pass and Maverick County as the ideal business investment. I will also work with our partners in Mexico to maximize our border location which will in turn benefit both economies."

MCDC maintains this web site as a resource for business and industry leaders exploring investments and growth opportunities in Eagle Pass and the surrounding areas.  This web site is also for the various audiences near and far who seek information about the local economy and community.