Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.
~ Henry Ford

David Leal is a Director at Bank of America Securities in the bank’s Technology, Media Telecom (TMT) Corporate Banking Practice.

For the past twenty-plus years, counselors, administrators, business partners, and students have traveled to South Padre Island for the annual RGV LEAD Regional Conference. The event has provided phenomenal guest speakers, breakout sessions, door prizes, and great camaraderie. This year was no different, except that the Regional Conference was virtually held. The 2021 RGV LEAD Regional Conference was held on January 14th from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon. The inspirational keynote speaker, David Leal, was RGV LEAD’s first-ever scholarship recipient. (See page 4) In addition to listening to the dynamic guest speaker, participants attended several breakout sessions that covered a variety of topics. High lighting the event were the RGV LEAD Student Ambassadors who announced the 2020-2021 Teacher of the Year, Counselor of the Year, Academy of the Year, Higher Education Administrator of the Year, and Employer of the Year.

Yes, RGV LEAD and its partners came together many years ago and have stayed together through many initiatives, grants, conferences, etc., but the work that RGV LEAD and its partners have produced in working together was clearly evident in the success of this year’s RGV LEAD Regional Conference! Here’s to RGV LEAD’s continued partnership with the Rio Grande Valley!