2015 TEDxMcAllen Program

SAM GARCIA
Sam Garcia is an architect by profession who has spent over a decade as a
writer, community leader, and big-picture-idea-guy for South Texas. Sam is
the founder and Principal of McAllen-based Sam Garcia Architect. The firm is
a studio/think-tank that seeks to urbanize McAllen into a city of high-density,
mixed use, pedestrian dominated hotspots, thereby attracting high caliber
jobs, culture, and opportunities to deep South Texas.
Locally, Sam has helped lead several organizations, serving as the past President
of Futuro McAllen, Co-chair of Leadership McAllen Class XXXIII, and as the Texas Young Architect
Regional Director for the American Institute of Architects. Currently he is on several boards including
the Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas RGV. Sam has been fortunate to work on projects with
amazing and talented people from all over the world – from the rural highlands of Guatemala, to the
bustling metropolises of Boston, San Francisco, and Madrid.
SERGIO CHAPA
Journalism is something that runs in Sergio Chapa’s blood.His father was
a television photographer and reporter in the Rio Grande Valley. Sergio
followed in his father’s footsteps working in newspapers and television in the
Rio Grande Valley, Dallas and currently in San Antonio.
His award-winning work on both sides of the border brought international
attention to the drug war in Mexico. Chapa started his career with various media
outlets such as The Valley Morning Star, The Brownsville Herald and KGBT-TV Channel 4 .
Today he is a reporter for the San Antonio Business Journal. Sergio has won a Texas AP Broadcasting
Award for his pieces entitled “Mass Graves Near San Fernando” and “Valley Criminals on Death Row”.
MILTON
GONZALEZ
Milton Gonzalez is a
licensed leadership
coach and motivational
teacher and a part of the
John Maxwell Team. He
possesses a strong background in clinical
psychology and education and helps
corporate leaders become more effective
in leading their organizations. He is also the
Headmaster at Covenant Christian Academy,
a local private Christian school.
Milton is an ordained pastor and performs
pastoral counseling. He is committed to
developing leaders of excellence and integrity
by providing the finest resources a n d
training for personal and professional growth.
AMALIA
ORTIZ
Currently pursuing an
MFA in creative writing,
Amalia Ortiz has appeared
on three seasons of Russell
Simmons Presents Def
Poetry on HBO. She was awarded
the Alfredo Cisneros Del Moral Foundation Grant
from Sandra Cisneros and a writing residency at
the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Amalia
Ortiz is a self-proclaimed actor/writer/activist.
She has written and performed in several plays
including Carmen de la Calle and Otra Esa on
the Public Transit. Her works are rhythmic and
edgy challenging social political issues and often
empowering females and la raza. This October,
Ortiz releases her first book, Rant. Chant. Chisme.
NYDIA TAPIA-GONZALEZ
Nydia Tapia-Gonzalez is a freelance writer, blogger and tourism professional.
She has been working in tourism for over twenty-four years and as the director
for South Texas Tourism since 2012. She writes about life in the Rio Grande
Valley on her blog La Vida Valle and contributes to several publications
including Beyond Arts Magazine, The Valley Catholic and The Valley Business
Report.
In 2014, Nydia took her passion for architecture and mid-century modern design to
a new level when she founded RGVMOD.com. Through RGVMOD.com she works to provide resources
to those looking to preserve our mid-century modern homes, building, hotels and schools.
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