SBDC Staff

Program Management

Maria D. Juarez-Serna, Director

Maria D. Juarez-Serna serves as the SBDC Director since April 2005.She oversees the program and works with staff in delivering quality counseling and training to the business community.

Through strategic and tactical planning as well as through key stakeholder relationships, Ms. Juarez-Serna guides the SBDC team to meet and exceed goals in the areas of business development as a way to positively impact the economic climate of the Rio Grande Valley.

Ms. Juarez-Serna holds a Master of Arts in English Literature, Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Science, Biology major, and Chemistry minor from The University of Texas-Pan American.

Partner Relations

Esperanza Pérez Delgado, Marketing Coordinator

Esperanza Pérez Delgado manages the promotional aspects for the SBDC in its service delivery area. In this capacity, she assist the team with social media management, collateral development, media campaigns, targeted outreach to strategic resource partners with regard to training coordination, and project management assistance.

Ms. Delgado holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business Management with a specialization in Economics from The University of Texas-Pan American.

Bianca A. Hammond, Assistant Training Coordinator

Bianca A. Hammond supports the SBDC’s training coordination efforts. In this role, she works closely with business advisors to schedule training with resource partners and promotes them through the center’s calendar. Bianca also assists the center’s marketing coordinator with media campaigns and with collateral development for outreach.

Ms. Hammond holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a specialization in Journalism and Broadcasting from The University of Texas-Pan American.

Business Development Specialists

Arturo Gonzalez, Business & Trade Advisor

Arturo Gonzalez joined the SBDC in February 1997, and has since provided business counseling, business plan assistance, and training in both English and Spanish to countless of clients. Mr. Gonzalez is credited with developing and creating the original business Start-up Guide for the SBDC and charged with maintaining partner relationships for the center with the Cities of Brownsville, San Benito, South Padre Island, and Matamoros, Mexico.

Mr. Gonzalez holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in Finance from The University of Texas at Brownsville.

Janie Caballero, Senior Business Advisor

Janie Caballero joined the SBDC in February 2008, where she provides business counseling, business plan assistance, and English and Spanish training. Her expertise includes experience with start ups in the medical industry and the restaurant industry.

Ms. Caballero holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas-Pan American.

Marcela Arredondo, Business & Trade Advisor

Marcela Arredondo joined the SBDC in 2008, where she provides one-to-one counseling, business planning assistance, and English and Spanish training. Her expertise includes purchasing and supply chain management in the Maquiladora industry. When working to the maquiladora industry she worked with international companies and participated in the negotiations of pricing, payment terms, product development, and supply chain management. Marcela also provides international trade counseling for companies who are looking to expand sales by selling abroad.

Ms. Arredondo holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business management and Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas - Pan American.

Cristina Cantu, Business Advisor

Cristina Cantu joined the SBDC in March 2009 where she provides one-to-one bilingual counseling, business plan assistance, and training. Ms. Cantu’s expertise includes tax regulations with state agencies, payroll compliance, and retail.

She has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from The University of Texas-Pan American. Ms. Cantu continues her education in Accounting.

Adriana Rincon, Business & Trade Advisor

Adriana Rincon joined the SBDC in 2009, where she provides one-to-one, bilingual counseling, business planning assistance, and training. Ms. Rincon has expertise with Fortune 50 service and manufacturing companies.

Mrs. Rincon holds a Master in Business Administration as well as an MBA specializing in International Trade from Texas A&M International University. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration with a Major in Marketing from the Universidad Regiomontana.

Oscar Garcia, Business Advisor

Oscar Garcia joined the SBDC in 2008 where he provides bilingual, one-to-one counseling, business planning assistance, and training. Mr. Garcia has expertise in re-engineering program models and system development for organizations, as well as hands-on, business start-up managerial experience.

Mr. Garcia holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas-Pan American.

Aaron L. Gonzalez, Rural Business Advisor

Aaron L. Gonzalez joined the BDI Group in 2009, and serves as a Rural Business Advisor with the SBDC and Rural Business Program. He provides one-to-one counseling, business planning assistance, and training. Mr. Gonzalez has worked with farmers, ranchers, and rural businesses for several years prior to joining the SBDC.

Mr. Gonzalez holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from The University of Texas at Austin with a Business Foundations certification.

Administration & Client Service

Eva Martinez, Office Supervisor

Mariana Hernandez, Client Service Representative

Laura Martinez, Client Service Representative