BCCC Advisory Board
Robert Chavez
Mr. Chávez is Chief Executive Officer of the Urban Corps of San Diego which is a non-profit conservation corps and charter school responsible for training, employing and providing educational opportunities to over 400 at-risk youths annually. Mr. Chavez brings more than 16 years of experience to the Advisory Board leading community development projects from his previous work with the City of San Diego Redevelopment Agency. He has a wide range of experience managing projects, negotiating contracts, working closely with political and community leaders, and spearheading fundraising and partnership initiatives. Prior to his work with the Redevelopment Agency, Mr. Chavez worked as Associate Management Analyst for the City of San Diego’s Development Services Department, where he created and managed complex budgetary and organizational analyses and studies. In addition to his tenure with the City of San Diego, Mr. Chávez previously worked as Community Justice Program Coordinator specializing in Alternative Dispute Resolution for the National Conflict Resolution Center, where he supervised the South Bay San Diego office. Mr. Chavez's affiliations includes: California Association of Local Conservation Corps, the Corps Network, South county Economic Development Corporation, California Redevelopment Association, Urban Land Institute and the Building Industry Association.
Tom Dubose
Mr. Dubose has served as President of Development Design & Engineering, Inc. in El Centro, CA since 1998, which focuses on liaison work with governmental agencies involved with planning regulations and approval of development projects in Imperial County, CA. Mr. Dubose has over 14 years’ experience as a construction superintendent and field supervisor. Mr. Dubose is very active in his community, serving as current Board member and President of Brawley Union High School (17 years); current Member and Chairman of the Air Pollution Control Hearing Board (12 years); and Second Vice President on the Executive Committee and Board Member of Building Industry Association, Desert Chapter. He has also formerly served as Board President, Board Member and Trustee of the Brawley Boys and Girls Club; Member and President of the Imperial Valley Community Foundation; Board Member of the Brawley Chamber of Commerce; Board Member of the Economic Development Commission; past Member and Vice-Chairman of the Brawley Planning Commission (8 years); and Founding Member and past President of Imperial Valley Regional Economic Development, Inc.
Joe Fernandez
Mr. Fernandez currently serves as Chairman of the Housing Authority of El Paso, and has served on the El Paso Cable Communications Commission, United Way Board Member, EPISD Fund Board, Kiwanis President, Volunteer Police Association, past president for The Five Points Development Association and Junior Achievement.
Mr. Fernandez has over 40 years of banking experience and begun his banking career with El Paso National Bank. Mr. Fernandez started in the data processing department and in 1973 became National Accounts officer where he managed Accounts for Fortune 500 company accounts. From 1982 through 1988 Mr. Fernandez was the Southwest correspondent banker. Mr. Fernandez served as Branch President at the First State Bank for JP Morgan from 1988 through 1991 as part of commercial lending group and became District Sales Consultant for JP Morgan where he managed and underwrote loans, investments and insurance for Small Business in El Paso, Austin, San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley. From 2000 - 2015 Mr. Fernandez was part of United Bank of El Paso and served on its executive management team.
Mr. Fernandez has a degree in Banking from New School of Banking - University of New Mexico.
Mr. LaVann is Senior Vice President of the Greater Yuma Economic Development Corporation which contributes to expansion of economic activity within Yuma County, Arizona by attracting commerce and industry to the region and striving to develop the region's existing industry to its fullest potential. Mr. LaVann is active in the community, serving on the Yuma County Workforce Investment Board and as Secretary of Yuma's Young Professional Leadership Council. He is also a member of the Arizona Association of Economic Development Business Retention and Expansion Coalition, the Yuma Chamber of Commerce Legislative Affairs Committee, the Arizona Rural Economic Development Initiative, the Arizona Western College Business Development Committee and Ex-Officio member of The Greater Yuma Port Authority Board. In addition, he is the Administrator of Yuma County Foreign Trade Zone #219 and a member of Arizona Big Brothers/Big Sisters program.
Greg LaVann
Mr. Escobar previously served as Senior Vice President / Regional Manager in charge of the Commercial Banking Dept. of Rabobank, N.A. in El Centro, CA, where he worked in various postions for 17 years from 1997 - 2014. His credentials include a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting and a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of San Diego. Mr. Escobar is a licensed U.S. Customs Broker, previous Secretary-Treasurer and current Vice-Chairman of Imperial Valley Economic Development Corporation, and past president of both the Calexico Rotary and Calexico Lions Club.
Jesus Eduardo Escobar Moreno
Marco Antonio “Tony” Reyes
Mr. Reyes is Executive Director of Comite de Bienestar, Inc. in San Luis, AZ, which works to empower Mexican-American immigrants who encounter many barriers, including low wages, little access to conventional financing, and limited political representation. Mr. Reyes is a former Mayor of the City of San Luis Arizona, a US-Mexico border city and is currently serving as a member of the Yuma County Board of Supervisors. Mr. Reyes has represented low-income communities for the past 30 years as an elected official and serving as a member of multiple national advisory boards concerned with housing and other economic development issues.
Mr. Santillan previously served as City Manager for the City of Coachella (Riverside County). His responsibilities included oversight of management of the City of Coachella, coordination of all City Departments, the implementation of the budget, keeping the City Council informed of the condition of the City, intergovernmental relations, and public information. Mr. Santillan also served as City Manager for the City.
Jerry Santillan
Ms. Wilson is Chief Executive Officer of Workforce Solutions Borderplex which is a non-profit organization providing employers with skilled workers and helping individuals develop skills and abilities needed to thrive in the workplace. These efforts include going to family crisis centers and helping those individulas find employment and helping migrant seasonal workers find educational and training opportunities and employment.
Ms. Wilson served as City Manager of El Paso from 2004 through 2014 and was the City's first City Manager subsequent to a city charter amendment establishing a council/manager form of government.
Ms. Wilson is a nationally recognized leader with over 25 years of extensive local government management experience at senior management and executive levels. Her experience includes working in demographically diverse areas and bi-national settings including El Paso County, TX and Yuma County, AZ. Specific areas of expertise include: economic development and community revitalization, community capacity building and exemplary fiscal management skills. Ms. Wilson has demonstrated oversight of significant infrastructure investments in rapid growth communities, as well as those experiencing substantial economic decline.
Ms. Wilson has a B.S. in Business and Economics from Virginia Commonwealth University and an MPA from Harvard University’s John F Kennedy School of Government. Ms. Wilson is a fellow with the Kellogg Foundation’s national fellowship program and active in various community organizations, with a focus on youth and families in crisis. She also is an avid supporter and promoter of the arts and cultural sectors.