Linda L. McKenna

WESLACO, Aug. 18 - The Rio Grande Valley Partnership’s board of directors has selected Linda McKenna as its new president and CEO.

McKenna is a registered nurse and former senior vice president with Valley Baptist Health System. During the 2009 legislative session she served as a health care policy advisor to state Rep. Eddie Lucio III and was a consultant to Driscoll Children’s Hospital.

She is a Fellow in the American College of Health Care Executives and currently serves on the Texas State Technical College Board of Regents. 

McKenna's first day with the Chamber will be Sept. 7.

“My passion for the Rio Grande Valley with its distinctive opportunities and challenges led me to apply for the position of President/CEO of the Rio Grande Valley Partnership,” McKenna said.

“My interest in legislative advocacy and success in my professional career made it my desire to share my unique blend of educational, personal, and senior level executive experience.”

The Rio Grande Valley Partnership is the region's leading advocate and resource for businesses. Under its motto, ‘One Region, One Voice,’ it aims to foster relationships that advance a vibrant regional economy. At the start of every legislative session it brings state lawmakers to the Valley to see first hand the region’s success stories and challenges.

Brad Bierstedt, chairman of the Valley Partnership, said the group’s board of directors is delighted to name McKenna as the group’s president and CEO.

“Her tremendous background in working with different groups, combined with her dedication to the region will add even more value to our members of the RGV Partnership and the entire Rio Grande Valley,” Bierstedt said. 

McKenna has big shoes to fill. For 22 years the Partnership was led by the charismatic Bill Summers. Summers died of lung cancer last November aged 71. He was known as Texas’ unofficial ambassador to Mexico because of his strong support for bi-national trade and commerce.

“Bill Summers was a wonderful visionary and his legacy will live on for years to come in our work here at the Partnership. I am honored the search committee as well as the Board of Directors has placed its confidence in me and I am humbled to serve in this distinguished position,” McKenna said.

In January, the Valley Partnership’s board of directors set up a search committee to find a successor to Summers. The committee looked long and hard.

“We couldn't be more excited about this decision,” said Sergio Contreras, who chaired the search committee. “Linda has great leadership qualities and governmental affairs experience that will enable her to increase visibility to the region and be a tremendous force in legislative advocacy.”

Contreras said McKenna has a strong background working on health care policy and advocacy, including involvement with the Texas Medical Association political action committee and political campaigns.

Unlike most chambers of commerce in the Valley, the Valley Partnership does not receive funds from taxpayers. Therefore, its president and CEO has to raise a lot of its revenues. As president of the RGV Indigent Health Care Corporation, McKenna helped bring in $7 million in funds for indigent health care services.

In a news release, the Partnership said McKenna has been in leadership roles with many local boards of directors including the American Heart Association, Harlingen High School PTSA and the Cameron/Willacy County Medical Society Alliance.

She was appointed to the Governor's Commission for Women by then Governor George W. Bush and was named Chairman her second term. She is a graduate of Leadership Texas. In pursuit of a career in public service, she returned to college attained a Bachelor's degree in Government and a Master of Public Administration. McKenna is a former Senior Vice President with Valley Baptist Health System and currently serves on the Texas State Technical College Board of Regents. 

These were all invaluable experiences that make her an ideal choice for such an important Partnership role, the news release states.

In the news release, the Partnership said McKenna will be working closely with the Partnership’s board directors to “focus on helping frame strategies for Rio Grande Valley Partnership, with a strong focus on increasing membership value and reviewing key regional issues.” 

McKenna and her husband have been Valley natives for over 28 years living in Harlingen and have two sons, aged 26 and 24.

The Chamber plans to hold a “meet and greet” soon so that members and the media can meet McKenna.

Click here to read Linda McKenna's biography

Write Steve Taylor

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