SAN JUAN, Texas - Ann Williams Cass, the longtime leader of Proyecto Azteca, has announced her retirement.
Cass penned this retirement letter:
Dear Friends of Proyecto Azteca, Inc.,
Effective 01 Oct 2025, I am retiring as Executive Director of Proyecto Azteca after nearly 20 years of service to its Mission. My replacement will be Oliver de la Garza; I will continue on as a Consultant through 31 Dec 2025.
It seems appropriate and full circle that in the early 80s I served as Administrator of United Farm Workers, working on field sanitation, pesticides, and getting drinking water into the colonias. As I end this part of my life, it is at Proyecto Azteca, on the same property, working on the same issues.
I have learned so much from the Board, Staff, and families; they have gifted me more than I can ever describe. I will treasure the memories of sharing laughter with Staff and families when we were successful, and tears when we failed.
Now on my final journey, I will spend more time with family and friends. I feel lucky and grateful to have been given this opportunity.
Peace and all good things,
Ann Williams Cass
Proyecto Azteca was created in 1991 to address a chronic housing crisis in Hidalgo County colonias. Organizers said it was set up in the spirit of United Farm Workers founder Cesar Chavez and its headquarters was built next to another UFW-inspired group, La Unión del Pueblo Entero.
Organizers developed a program based on the colonia tradition of owner-built houses. It adopted this Mission:
“Proyecto Azteca's mission, rooted in the hope of creating a more equitable society, is to build stable and vibrant communities by providing quality affordable housing for low and very low-income families, traditionally denied housing opportunities, and empowering them to become responsible homeowners.”
