By Nydia O. Tapia-Gonzales

Not long ago a series of fortunate circumstances made it possible for a group of advocates of the arts to unite and create the Alliance for Hispanic Arts & Culture. This new group, like a newborn baby opening its eyes to the world for the very first time has focused on the monumental task of restoring El Grande Theater of Harlingen, Texas. There is no doubt that this is a very “grande” vision especially when the vision includes the revitalization of Gutierrez Park and the creation of a multi cultural district.

We are not the first to have this vision, Harlingen Mayor Chris Boswell included this potential restoration project on his 100 Plan for the city.

We have seen the restoration of McAllen’s Cine El Rey and the current progress of the restoration of the Capitol Theater in Brownsville—both of these worthy examples for the value they bestow on the rich heritage of this area.

Bill DeBrooke has been the proud owner of El Grande since 1999. We are very fortunate that he always respected the building’s integrity and has been committed to finding the right non-profit organization to tackle the restoration process. We believe we have the perfect match; the Alliance will be the ideal steward of his beloved property. One of the founding members of the Alliance is Dr. Rogelio Agrasanchez Jr., owner of an archive of Mexican Golden Era of Cinema film rights. (His Web site is www.agrasfilms.com). Rogelio has been committed to this project from the beginning. Mexican cinema is very close to his heart and he shares his passion with his wife Xotchil. Rogelio has promised to donate 25 original movie posters to be displayed permanently at the theater and to serve as program director, creating a variety of film screenings and industry conferences.

Lupita Gutierrez Garza, also member of the Alliance, has a very personal connection to Gutierrez Park because the Park was named after her brother, Army Lt. George Gutierrez Jr. who was killed in combat in Vietnam on September 1, 1965. The idea of restoring El Grande was not new to her as it has been a dream of hers for several years.

Another founding member of the Alliance is Connie Salas whose childhood memories inspire her to work towards the revitalization of Gutierrez Park. She, like many others, would like to see the park as it once was, a safe and delightful gathering place for family and friends. Frank Rocha, director of Casa Guanajuato of Harlingen and Gloria Canales, founder and director of the Gloria G. Canales Mexican Folklore School of Dance, both avid promoters of Hispanic music and folklore in Harlingen, are responsible for the calendar of cultural events to be held at Gutierrez Park. A very interesting coincidence is that both Salas and Canales are recipients of the prestigious OHTLI Prize of Mexico awarded only to persons who have demonstrated and modeled a positive Mexican cultural awareness to the community.

Rick Ledesma and Dominic Consiglio, marketing and media directors, have provided us with plenty of creativity and vision related to the beautification and promotion of this project with intense professionalism and dedication.

Formerly named Porfirio Diaz Park by the city’s founder; Lon C. Hill, Gutierrez Park’s future already looks bright thanks to Harlingen’s Downtown Manager, Cheryl LaBerge, who got busy and joined forces with the University of Texas-Brownsville’s School of Architecture to present Harlingen with a dozen potential new park designs ready to revitalize the area.

One of the Alliance’s most valuable assets has been the support of Mexican Consul Victor Manuel Trevino Escudero, he and his staff are committed to assisting in the revitalization project.

Alliance members Mary Torres, Timothy Reynolds, Lupe Gonzales and myself write letters, stories, agendas and advocate for the revitalization of Gutierrez Park and El Grande. The Alliance for Hispanic Arts & Culture Alliance will help increase the quality of life and aid in the promotion of our city as an arts and cultural destination.

Nydia O. Tapia-Gonzales is the executive director of the Harlingen Convention & Visitors Bureau. She can be reached at 956-423-5440.

By Dr. Robles

Every week, I found in my clinic some patients who are hesitant about having her annual exam, specifically the PAP SMEAR test. We start the visit by orienting our patient about the importance and necessity for it.

A woman’s cervix (the opening of the uterus) is lined with cells. Cancer of the cervix occurs when those cells change, which can affect deeper cell layers or spread to other organs and cause damage. If the cancer is found, and treated early, as many as 90% of women who have it can be cured.

The cervix is the lower, narrow end of a woman’s uterus. It opens into the vagina (the birth canal). The cervix is covered by a thin layer of tissue. This tissue has growing cells that are constantly growing and being replaced by new cells. During this growth, the cells at the bottom layer slowly move to the surface of the cervix. They are shed when they reach the surface, much like our skin cells. Some cells can become abnormal during this process.

The PAP TEST, sometimes called a PAP SMEAR or cervical cytology screening test, is an important part of women’s health care. This test looks at cells taken from the cervix and tells if there are abnormal cells. Some abnormal cells may be precancer or, rarely, cancer. Precancer is when there are changes in the cells that may, but do not always, become cancer if left untreated.

If a PAP TEST results shows cervical cells changes (dysplasia), the results may be called: ASCUS (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance), LSIL (low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion), HSIL (high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion), or cancer. If these results are found, follow-up test may be needed. HSIL have the greatest risk of turning into cancer.

Cancer of the cervix can occur at any age. It is found most often in women older than 40 years, but can occur in younger women. Your risk for cancer of the cervix depends on your sexual history, your immune system, your health, and your lifestyle. This is because cancer of the cervix is linked to HPV (human papilloma virus). You have an increased risk if you: have had sex with more than one partner, first had sex at an early age (younger than 18 years old), smokes, have not been getting routine pap tests, organ transplant patient, have a previous abnormal pap smear or have HPV infection.

The timing of starting the pap smear test varies with each patient, taking into account age and lifestyle. The key of treating cervical changes is finding them early. The earlier the problem is found, the more likely it is that the treatment, if needed, will work. When cervical cancer is found early cure rates can be a high as 90%. Cancer of the cervix is much harder to cure if treatment is delayed. If you are concerned about this disease, talk to your doctor.

By Joe Louis Gomez

In the Rio Grande Valley, one of the most important concepts for business is an understanding of how associations and respect for families make the region a truly unique place to live and work.

Excellence is measured by how much you give to the community, according to local ophthalmologist Dr. Alexander Sudarshan, and it starts with running a practice that often caters to four generations of family while applying “Valley rules” to the business.

Community service, combined with the right technology, knowledge and staff shows that Sudarshan Eye Experts represents all the things that are excellent in the Valley, he says.

“We are ‘plantados’,” Sudarshan says in surprisingly good Spanish. Later it is found that the doctor is fluent in at least three languages including French and Italian. “We exist because there is a community that trusts us,” he said. “We try to use that by taking care of families. We are Valley people, and because of that we want the place we live in to be as good and as nice as can be.”

Sudarshan began his practice in the early ’90s in Brownsville, and eventually in Weslaco where, as a result of his work at local hospitals, doctors took notice of his expertise and gentle demeanor with children. Sudarshan is a father of three. The result was a renewed focus that placed an emphasis on children as well as multi-generational families all under one roof.

Nearly 20 years later, Sudarshan Eye Experts is comprised of more than 60 trained staff including five doctors with varying degrees of specialty. Services include Lasik, cataract, retina and pediatric eye care in any one of the three locations including Brownsville, Weslaco and Edinburg.

“We feel we have a reputation for not only being good at our business, but as being positive members of our community. I think that comes back to us, not just in terms of business, but in terms of an additional benefit,” Sudarshan said. “When people complain about the Valley and say ‘we don’t have the workforce that they have in San Antonio’ I say the opposite. I think we have a fantastic workforce, I just don’t think the educational opportunities are here so we try to help provide that.”

As a result Sudarshan says he invests heavily in training staff in-house, and often sends them to intensive certification courses as an ongoing commitment to continue their education. Sudarshan himself furthers his education with courses led by national experts from New York and California.

“The difference is we feel we have the best staff in the business and that’s what makes us important, that’s what makes us different,” he said. “All of the people who are here are certified. They are not hired off the street, they’re professionals who take a lot of pride in their work. That’s what makes us different because we are trying not be just good, but excellent.”

Sudarshan received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics with honors from Yale University. He earned an Honors graduate degree at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston, and won the “Outstanding Intern” Award at St. Joseph Hospital there. He later trained under ophthalmologist, Dr. Richard Lindstrom, at the University of Minnesota. Lindstrom is an internationally recognized leader in corneal, cataract, refractive and laser surgery who has been at the forefront of ophthalmology’s evolutionary changes throughout his career.

Sudarshan is a board certified surgeon and an associate examiner for the American Board of Ophthalmology.

“We bring to the Valley the things we think are excellent like technology, knowledge, equipment…but rather than try to make something that was designed up north or even in San Antonio try to fit the Valley we try to do it the other way around meaning we see a lot of families, and we see three or even four generations of the same family,” Sudarshan said. “I think one of the very strong positive aspects of the Valley are the associations, and the love and respect that people have for family. We try to use that by taking care of families. Rather than use those ‘out of the Valley’ rules we try to use the ones that people here are accustomed to.”

by Tammy Trippel

Selecting and purchasing new furniture for your home, whether you are just starting out, updating, moving up or downsizing, can be a daunting task.

Not only do you need to think about the obvious considerations of frame styles and sizes but as well fabric color and pattern, cushion firmness…the list goes on and on… One of the least discussed options is what I like to call the ‘guts’ of the furniture.

The reality is that, to a certain extent, furniture manufacturers across the spectrum can make their product look fairly similar to anyone else’s. At least when it’s new, that is.

What really separates the men from the boys in the furniture industry, however, are two general categories of differences in how that furniture is constructed: 1) Quality of components and construction technique, and 2) Use or lack of design details.

When you think about it, these are the same factors that affect the quality level (and yes, the price) of most any consumer goods, whether it be automobiles, clothing, electronics, or just about anything else that we purchase.

When you begin your search for new furniture there are 3 questions that you must address and express to the professional that is helping you in your quest.

First, how much are you prepared to invest in your furniture? This question is extremely important to determine prior to actually beginning the selection process. Keep in mind that any furniture purchase is at least somewhat expensive, but making a bad decision in the short run can cost you even more in the long run. Also, balancing your response to this question with the two that follow is the tricky part.

Secondly, how long do you want your furniture to last? If you sincerely intend to replace the furniture again in two to five years, it may be okay to look at products which do not use all hardwood frame construction, but rather rely on the less expensive composite materials and much less sophisticated joinery techniques to build their frames.

In addition, fabrics among these goods will tend toward the less expensive synthetic fibers, such as olefins and nylons. ‘Leathers’ in this category will not be full or top grain hides, but rather some processed product which contains even a small percentage of leather fibers. As mentioned, this category of furniture will probably look okay and serve your needs for a few years, after which is will rapidly show its age and require replacement.

If your answer to the question of how long you want your furniture to last is more than that, then you really need to be looking at products which employ all kiln-dried hardwood frame construction, double doweled, glued, blocked and screwed joinery, eight-way hand-tied spring suspensions, high-density foam or down cushions, and higher quality fabric or leather covers.

The final question to ask yourself is this: How important are design details to you? Within the better quality lines of furniture, you will find that you can choose from thousands of beautiful fabrics, rather than just a handful which look like everyone else’s. Also, all fabrics are pattern-matched, both vertically and horizontally, from one part of the furniture piece to the next, unlike that of lower end manufacturers.

You will also find multiple trim options such as nail heads, bullion or brush fringe, or contrasting fabrics between body, cushions and welt. These are all details which will increase the cost of the furniture, but definitely offer a huge bang for the buck in the design interest that they add to your room.

Along with the question of design details comes the consideration of whether you are comfortable selecting the furniture completely on your own, or if you would appreciate tapping into the resource of a design professional to make sure you ‘get it right’. Such professionals invest their time and expertise in each and every client’s project, their pricing will obviously be different from that of the mass merchandisers, however in general they still offer a very wide range of price points, and the added assurance of avoiding expensive decorating mistakes.

With the answers to these three basic questions in hand, you can comfortably start selecting your new furniture. As you do so, keep in mind that aforementioned comparison to other product categories that you make purchasing decisions about… Do you prefer a small compact car or a luxury vehicle, do you shop at a local discount store for clothing or do you like a more upscale boutique environment? Is your entertainment system a 27” TV with basic cable, or an oversized HDTV 1080 flat screen with surround sound and all the bells and whistles? Likewise, think about your home itself, and make sure to do it the justice it deserves.

For more information contact Tammy Trippel, Lifestyle Designer/Owner, Decorating Den Interiors, www.decdens.com/ttrippel, you can reach Tammy at (956) 631-3326 or email her at TTrippel@rgv.rr.com.

By Adan Salazar

Like many people, you may make some New Year’s resolutions. Perhaps you’ve promised yourself that you’ll visit the gym more often or learn a new language or reconnect with a long-lost friend. All of these are worthy goals, of course, and if you achieve them, you may add new dimensions to your life. But if you want to accomplish other major milestones you may have envisioned — a new home, college for your kids, a comfortable retirement and so on — you may need to set some New Year’s financial resolutions.

What type of financial resolutions should you make? Here are a few ideas to consider:

• Contribute as much as you can afford to your 401(k). Take full advantage of your 401(k) or other employer-sponsored retirement plan. Your contributions are typically tax deductible and your earnings grow on a tax-deferred basis. Every time you get a boost in salary, try to increase the amount going into your 401(k), but at the very least, contribute enough to earn the employer’s match, if one is offered. In 2010, the contribution limit for 401(k) plans is $16,500, or $22,000 if you’re age 50 or over, although both these limits may increase if they are indexed for inflation.
• “Max out” on your IRA. Even if you have a 401(k), you’re probably still eligible to contribute to an IRA. A traditional IRA grows tax deferred, while a Roth IRA’s earnings are tax free, provided you’ve had your account at least five years and don’t start taking withdrawals until you’re 59-1/2. (Your ability to contribute to a Roth IRA is based on your income.) You can fund your IRA with virtually any type of investment. In 2010, you can put in up to $5,000 to your IRA, or $6,000 if you’re age 50 or older, although, as was the case with your 401(k), these limits may go higher if they’re indexed for inflation.
• Rebalance your investments as needed. Over time, your goals and risk tolerance can change. That’s why it’s a good idea to review and rebalance your portfolio at least once a year, possibly with the help of a professional financial advisor who is familiar with your situation.
• Avoid “emotional” investing. Don’t make decisions based on emotional reactions to what’s happening with your investments. For example, just because the price of an investment may have dropped significantly, it doesn’t mean you should rush to sell it. Despite the price drop, it may still have good prospects and it might be an important part of your investment strategy. Consider all factors before making “buy” or “sell” decisions.
• Keep sufficient cash in your portfolio — During the long bear market of 2008 and early 2009, many investors discovered that they lacked enough cash in their portfolios. Of course, you need enough cash on hand to meet unexpected expenses without dipping into long-term investments. But beyond that, the presence of cash and short-term, more liquid investments can help reduce the volatility in a portfolio that may sometimes be battered by both the stock and bond markets.

These financial resolutions, like all types of New Year’s resolutions, may not be easy to keep. But if you can stick with them, you may have many happy new years in the future.

Adan Salazar is a financial advisor for Edward Jones in Mission, TX. He can be reached at 956-580-0244.

By Claudia L. Farias

Transforming the community is Delia Perez’s everyday mission. As the associate director for the Llano Grande Center, a nonprofit in Edcouch empowering youth to revitalize the area, Perez provides students with resources and opportunities for a new way of life.

“I felt like someone had given me an opportunity and I wanted to give back,” she said.

The daughter of migrants, Perez was born in Oregon, Ohio, a small town outside of Toledo. She grew up in Monte Alto and graduated from Edcouch-Elsa High School in 1993. She then moved to New Haven, Conn. and four years later graduated from Yale University with a degree in Latin American studies and completed a teacher preparation program. After college, Perez began teaching at her alma mater and working with the Llano Grande Center part-time as a program director.

“I think I have more pride about Edcouch-Elsa than I have for my college or grad school degrees,” she said. “I only left home for studies.”

She moved to Austin for two years to earn her Master of Arts in public affairs focusing on education policy at The Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at The University of Texas.
“I was very interested in understanding the policies teachers and students have to maneuver through every day,” Perez said.

After graduating, Perez came home and continued teaching and working with the Llano Grande Center because she felt the work was very rewarding. She began working full-time with the nonprofit about four years ago.

“I still see myself as a teacher,” the associate director said. “I’ve been teaching for 12 years since I graduated from college and through Llano Grande, I still have the privilege of teaching students. My role with Llano Grande has always been the same. The only thing that has changed is my level of responsibility and accountability. I’ve always been able to work with students to engage them in service-learning projects with the community that give them a chance to develop their leadership and their identity.”

Students who Perez has worked with have completed various types of youth-led and youth-driven service-learning projects in the community. A past project students chose to undertake involved creating a campaign to renovate a local park. The students did qualitative and quantitative research about what community members wanted to see in the park and presented their findings to local officials.

“These students went to the city council with not just complaints but with ideas and a well thought-out plan,” Perez said. “That’s just one example of the projects our students participate in. We’ve done different projects but all of it leads up to students having good experiences that are informative and make them competitive when they apply to universities. It makes it hard for universities to say ‘no’ to a student who has had a chance to participate in these projects.”

Volunteers help Perez and the Llano Grande Center staff of three facilitate these projects and other programs the nonprofit offers which include creating access to opportunities like higher education and unique, nontraditional learning experiences such as studying abroad and conferences.

“We are a small staff,” Perez said. “We stretch ourselves out very thin but we do it because we’ve all been through Llano Grande and we see how it has transformed our lives and lives after us. We develop youth and adult partnerships all around the idea of creating a new type of community leadership.”

Perez sees this practice of giving back every day at the Llano Grande Center.

“Our students joke ‘Once you’re in Llano Grande, you’re always in Llano Grande,’” she said. “Our students become very much connected to Llano Grande once they graduate. It’s not about the individual. It’s about giving the individual the opportunity to transform the community. It’s about creating a new way of life – a new practice for how we should see ourselves and our contribution to our community.”
Giving back to her community is Perez’s passion. The most rewarding part of her job is working with students. Even on her spare time, Perez is playing a role in her their futures. She volunteers for several local and national organizations. Locally, she is a board member for the Delta Region Revitalization Corporation, a nonprofit whose mission is to improve the quality of life and business activity in the towns that make up the region.

She also represents the Llano Grande Center nationally on the steering committee of the National Rural Assembly and works with rural education issues. Perez is also an advisory board member for the Rural Policy Research Institute.

Last October, Perez was featured on NBC’s “Today” show for her work at the Llano Grande Center. The interview was part of the “A Woman’s Nation” series, founded by Maria Shriver and focusing on the changing role of women in the workplace. Perez was interviewed by “Today” correspondent Jenna Bush Hager.

“They featured my story as it related to the Llano Grande Center and that was a real honor,” Perez said. “Llano Grande has created access to a lot of really cool opportunities for me and for other people.”

A freelance writer, Claudia L. Farias has edited and written for other business publication, such as The Business Times of the Rio Grande Valley. She lives in Edinburg, TX and works at a local university.

By Heather Marks

Opening a savings account with your local bank may provide an easy way to put money away for safekeeping, but the thought of doing more can be tempting. While your money will earn a small rate of interest with a savings account, you may want to consider an “investing” program that can potentially earn more from the money you put away. If investing is something that piques your interest, but you’re not quite sure where to begin, consider two of the most basic types of investments — stocks and bonds.

In the very simplest terms, a share of stock represents a portion of ownership in a company. While it may seem hard to imagine that you could actually own even a small part of some of the largest companies in business today, that is exactly what owning stock is all about.

When you purchase stock in a company, you literally become a partial owner of that company. Your degree of ownership is calculated on a percentage basis, depending on the amount of stock you hold compared to the total number of shares the company has issued. So, even though your holdings probably represent a very small percentage, the principle remains the same — you are one of the owners, and you have certain rights that come with that ownership.

Stock ownership entitles you to a “share” in the profits of the company – hence the term shareholder. Some companies pay their shareholders a portion of the profits in the form of what’s known as a dividend. If your company pays dividends, these payments — made either in cash or additional stock — are set by the board of directors and are usually issued on a quarterly basis. It is important to remember that these dividends can go up and down; they can even stop altogether if a company decides to stop paying them.

As a stockowner, you also have a right to inspect the company books, and can do so when you review the company’s annual reports. These reports provide extensive details about company operations, allowing you to gain a better understanding of how the business is doing. If you own common stock in the company, you also have the right to vote on important company matters, such as the election of board members or proposed company mergers.

While there are many advantages to owning stock in a company, you should always keep in mind there are also risks of investing your money this way. There is always the possibility that the value of your stock could go down and you could lose some — or even all — of the money you invested.

As a novice investor, another option you should consider is investing in bonds. Simply put, a bond represents a loan. The issuer of the bond receives the money you invest and agrees to repay you at a certain date. In addition, as an incentive to get you to make the loan in the first place, the issuer agrees to pay interest on your investment on a periodic basis. Keep in mind the fact that bonds are subject to market risk and, if sold prior to maturity, may be worth more or less than their original cost.

When discussing bonds, you may hear different terms associated with the price of the bond. Par value, also known as face value, refers to the dollar amount on which a bond’s interest rate is calculated. It also represents the amount that will be paid to bondholders at maturity — the date originally set out for the repayment of the bond.

Many different entities issue bonds as a means to raise funds. Corporations issue bonds as a way to raise money. Municipalities such as towns, cities and even school districts will issue bonds as a way to fund improvement projects. Even the federal government issues bonds on a regular basis.

Stocks and bonds are just two basic ways to get started for those interested in investing. To find out more about the many investment alternatives available to you, consider making an appointment with a Financial Advisor who can explain all the options available to you.

Wells Fargo Advisors / Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network is not a tax or legal advisor. This article was written by Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Heather Marks in McAllen at 956-687-7211. Investments in securities and insurance products are: NOT FDIC-INSURED/NOT BANK-GUARANTEED/MAY LOSE VALUE. Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

For over 20 years, CareNet has dedicated itself to taking the talents of the industry’s leading nurses and offering “caller delight” through a unique telephone triage model.

Headquartered in San Antonio, TX, CareNet strives to achieve “caller delight,” and it starts by employing a strong and passionate team to execute the duties needed to provide exemplary service.

“We have a strong team because our nurses are true professionals,” said CareNet Vice President of Clinical Services Lynda Trafton. “We treat each one with great respect, and truly appreciate their skill and experience. Our philosophy is that each person at CareNet is a professional and is valued.”

For many nurses, CareNet’s telephone triage also provides a huge advantage that cannot be met anywhere else: efficiency. The company’s state-of-the-art telephone system allows nurses to help many more people in an hour or day than they would be able to in person.

“Our nurses have incredibly sound critical thinking skills, and incredible education. This format allows them the ability to do some teaching, and to get callers to understand what to do and when to do it. Many of our nurses appreciate the ability to add a personal touch.”

As Trafton explained, another area that CareNet carefully screens is the personality of its nurses. Like the company that employs them, nurses must have great personalities and the ability to multi-task.

“It all starts with the interview process, which I call ‘the first touch,’” described Trafton. “We have got to make sure that we get the right people. And that doesn’t just mean clinically-sound personnel; we are looking for the personality that will fit with our culture, the personality that will fit within our current team, and the personality that will deliver caller delight over the telephone.

“CareNet is not just a place where a nurse is able to deliver clinical education; it is also a place where they must deliver solid customer service,” Trafton added. “We look for nurses with 3-4 years of clinical experience, nurses with the ability to type, talk, and think at the same time, and nurses that have a varied background in clinical areas.”

The company also employs a very progressive work-at-home model, which is an option that many nurses opt to take advantage of once they have completed on-site training, and meet quality requirements. CareNet sets a nurse up with the software and phone, which allows the employee to execute his or her duties from an at-home location.

“When our work-at-home nurses log in, it is just like they are here at the office. Everything is secure and there for them to do a great job, even if they are not here,” said Trafton.

The company also employs bilingual nurses – a necessity in its business, which continues to be an area of growth. Currently, out of its entire nursing staff, only 20 percent are bilingual, which means that opportunity in this area is strong for nurses with this valuable skill.

With a team of dedicated experts that genuinely care for each caller, CareNet is truly delivering a service that aids its consumer.

For more information on CareNet, please call 1-800-809-7000 or visit www.callcarenet.com.

By Claudia L. Farias

Over 35 years ago, Jo Rae Wagner, her husband and her father were looking to start their commercial plumbing business in Corpus Christi. After someone suggested the Rio Grande Valley instead, Harlingen became the home for CTO Inc.

Since then, the president and owner of CTO continues to lead a successful career all while serving her company, community and industry at every level. With a background of over 40 years in construction, countless industry classes and a keen work ethic, Wagner is still very much involved in her company’s projects.

“I’ve actually handled every phase of the business – project manager, estimator, purchasing agent,” Wagner said. “Before CTO, I worked for a firm that did plumbing on the Navy ships when they were back at Long Beach. When we first started CTO, I was an estimator. And of course, if I needed to run equipment in the field, I did that too.”

Her company has grown to employ between 50 and 60 people and does work all over the Rio Grande Valley and state.

CTO Inc. is also a licensed air conditioning operation but primarily focuses on commercial plumbing with a specialization in medical facilities. Past company projects include Knapp Medical Center, Harlingen Medical Center and Doctors Hospital at Renaissance.

“We’ve been fortunate to be steady and I attribute that to the fact that we’ve been around for 38 years,” Wagner said. “We have an excellent reputation with contractors and builders and we try to maintain our good standing with all of them. We truly have not had to do a lot of advertising.”

Wagner, who was born in Lockport, N.Y. and raised in Riverside, Calif., credits her team for the company’s success. Her son, Todd Aune, is the vice president of the company and many of their employees have been with CTO Inc. for years. The most rewarding part of Wagner’s career has been watching her employees grow and move up the company ladder.

“Both my son and I feel our employees are great,” Wagner said. “We don’t have a turnover problem. We’ve had people that have worked for us for 25, 27 and 30 years and our younger employees are learning from them. We consider them true professionals. Our newbie has been with us for eight years.”

Another source behind the company’s success has been Wagner’s and her team’s efforts to always make sure to be prepared before undertaking any project. So far, they have been pleased with all the company’s final products.

“Every day is a new day in construction,” she said. “At the end of the day, we look at the buildings that we had a part in constructing and there’s great pride. There is real pride in knowing that projects out there have our mark on them and we’re responsible for a lot of good buildings in the community.”

Wagner devotes the same wholehearted effort and resolve to her industry as she does to her company. She has made history by holding several local, state and national leadership roles throughout her career and continues to advocate for her profession.

Wagner was the first woman in 123 years to sit on the board of the Plumbing, Heating, Cooling Contractors National Association. In 2006 and 2007, she served as the president of the association, becoming the second woman to hold that position.

“This was probably one of the biggest honors I’ve ever had,” Wagner said of holding office in the national organization with over 4,000 members.

“My board was comprised of all males who actually accepted me very well,” she said. “And it made me proud to think that a small place like Harlingen could have a national officer. I have a nice wall of awards for the boards I’ve sat on.”

This past year, CTO was named national “Contractor of the Year” runner-up. On a local level, the company was named “Subcontractor of the Year” by the Association of General Contractors.
Wagner has also held memberships and leadership roles in several other industry-related organizations, at all levels, and is currently active.

“I still do a lot of work for the plumbing, heating and cooling industry,” Wagner said. “I work with our lobbyist in Washington.” She serves as the co-chair of the education foundation and chair of the government relations committee for the PHCC Association.

Wagner, an avid reader, continues working for her profession because she believes in its mission. She is currently working with a local college to get associate degrees awarded to plumbing professionals.
“Plumbers are responsible for the health of the nation,” she said. “Think about what we’re responsible for, improper sewage disposal for instance. There’s a terrible shortage of plumbers right now and if we don’t start showing the respect that’s needed for this trade, we’re going to have a problem. The average age for a plumber is 54 right now. We need to do something and we need to do it in a hurry.”

Wagner also serves on several community organizations, including the Harlingen 100 Education Committee for the city. “I’ve lived in a lot of places over the years but the Valley’s my favorite.”

By: Cori Smelker

What do you get when you combine adults, pediatrics, endoscopic surgery, laparoscopic surgery and robotic surgery? A urologist. To be more specific — Dr. Manuel Espinoza. Since founding his practice in Harlingen in 2008, Dr. Espinoza has become a familiar face to many, and one to turn to when a urologic need arises.

Choosing Harlingen to start a practice filled two needs — a medical one, and a family one. Dr. Espinoza’s wife has family in the Rio Grande Valley, and with her completing a residency it made sense to move to Harlingen. But an even greater lure was the knowledge that in moving to Harlingen Dr. Espinoza was filling a unique niche.

“This area was desperately under-served when it came to urology,” Dr. Espinoza said. “Actually, many cities and metro areas are under-served in urology but this was one area where I could fill the need and serve a great community.”

So, what exactly does this field involve? For most, the first thought that arises when we hear the word “urology” is men and prostate problems. The practice of urology involves so much more than that, and what many might find surprising, it is not limited to male patients. Approximately, 40 percent of Dr. Espinoza’s patients are female. Most have been referred to his practice from their gynecologists or family practitioners.

“Many of my female patients have undiagnosed pelvic pain, kidney stones or recurrent UTIs (urinary tract infections) and urinary incontinence, often caused by childbirth,” he explains. This is definitely not a “men’s only” field of medicine.

Talking of kidney stones, Dr. Espinoza is gearing up for a slew of patients to arrive at his practice with this painful ailment. “Summer and holidays is when I see this the most often,” he explains. There are some simple steps one can take to try and avoid this excruciating complaint, often described by women who have had them as worse than labor pains.

“Drink water, lots of water,” explains Dr. Espinoza. “In a climate like ours, which has a little more humidity, it is easy to assume you have downed enough water, but the reality is that many of my patients are dehydrated when they present with the symptoms of kidney stones.”

Another tip he gives is to limit the amount of dark sodas and teas you consume as well as the amount of sodium in the diet.

“During the holiday season many people, in wanting to refrain from too much alcohol, which can dehydrate you, turn to colas and teas. These drinks contain oxalates. Oxalates are bad and act like a glue to bind calcium together, which can translate to kidney stones.

“The old adage, ‘All things in moderation,’ is really true,” chuckles Dr. Espinoza. “There’s nothing wrong with the occasional indulgence, but keeping an eye on your diet is very important.”

A typical week for Dr. Espinoza and his staff includes surgery, follow up visits with patients, and office visits. It was the variety of his chosen specialty that drew him to it in the first place. During medical school he had toyed briefly with becoming an Ear Nose and Throat Specialist, or an Orthopedist. “But when I examined the fields more closely I believed that they would have not provided me with the variety I was seeking. I wanted diversity in my day.”

It is not unusual for Dr. Espinoza to perform open surgeries and endoscopic surgeries on the same day.

“It is very satisfying,” he says, “Because I get to work with people of all ages, and my case load can vary so much from day to day and week to week.”

Another aspect of urology that he enjoys is the continuity of care he can give to his patients. He likens it to a family practitioner who gets to know his or her patients. “That was another reason for selecting this field. With my specialty I get to see my patients on an ongoing basis.” The highlight for him now too is that he is beginning to see families. “I might have performed a circumcision on a patient and now I am performing a surgery on another family member referred to me,” he says. It is those word-of mouth referrals that Dr. Espinoza treasures.

Dr. Espinoza is not prepared to sit on his laurels now that he has opened his practice and has good name recognition.

“I owe it to my patients, my staff and myself to ensure that we keep up-to date on the latest technologies. I want to provide the best health care possible to my patients. I don’t want patients to think that in order to receive the best care they have to trek off to Houston or San Antonio,” he explained.

Therefore, he attends conferences, reads extensively and takes online enrichment classes when possible. He plans to expand his practice too in the next 18-24 months, perhaps bringing another doctor on staff. Although he is only reaching the outside the Harlingen community at the moment, it is his dream to serve the Upper and Lower Rio Grande Valley.

“I am so blessed,” Dr. Espinoza concludes. “I believe God not only gives us abilities and places us in position, but He puts the right person in the right place at the right time. My family and I are exactly where He wants us to be, and nothing can replace the peace of mind that comes with that knowledge. It is not about fame or fortune, but in doing God’s will for your life.”