Photos

Leadership,
in the moment.

Authentic moments from the Leadership Tejas experience—learning, exploring, connecting, and growing together.

Class III - Ciudad Acuña, México

A Leadership Tejas group photo while waiting on dinner to be served.

Bull statue statue surrounded by red roses at Leadership Tejas event.

Leadership Tejas was invited to attend the private Running las Vacas kickoff dinner in Ciudad Acuña on the evening before the event.

BBQ grilling at Leadership Tejas event with chefs in hats and aprons.

Racks of ribs slowly roasting over hot coals.

Group of four people enjoying a meal at an outdoor leadership event.

Dinner was served al fresco as Leadership Tejas participants gathered outdoors, awaiting nightfall and the ringing of the dinner bell.

Three women smiling with drinks at Leadership Tejas outdoor event.

Carolina and Maria enjoying margaritas from the open bar.

Group of smiling attendees at a Leadership Tejas event dinner outdoors.

The waitstaff provided exceptional service, ensuring glasses were always full and tables were promptly cleared throughout the evening.

Group of three people at Leadership Tejas event outdoors.

Making new friends.

Diverse group of attendees smiling at an outdoor Leadership Tejas event.

The Leadership Tejas cohort gathering for a group photo.

Group of diverse professionals smiling at an outdoor Leadership Tejas event table setting.

The mouthwatering aromas of the food cooking brought smiles to everyone’s faces.

Group of three women smiling at an outdoor Leadership Tejas event.

Cohort members building connections and getting to know one another as Leadership Tejas begins its visit to the first city on the itinerary.

Person holding camera smiling at night at Leadership Tejas event.

Carolina shows off her new camera, ready to capture and document the Class III Adventure Learning experience.

Leadership Tejas cohort attending the Running Las Vacas celebration in Ciudad Acuña, Mexico

Man wearing red cap and sunglasses enjoying a taco at Leadership Tejas event.

Milton is fueling up on carbs before his turn to run with the Bulls!

Person enjoying a corn dog at Leadership Tejas with a can of Monster energy drink on the table.

Armed with a Monster and tacos, she’s ready for anything!

Three smiling event volunteers wearing white shirts and red caps at Leadership Tejas.

When in Rome… these Leadership Tejas participants decided to embrace the adventure and signed up to run with the bulls!

Group of people wearing white shirts and red caps under a canopy at Leadership Tejas event.

The Mayor of Del Rio, Texas, spotted our Leadership Tejas group and stopped by to share a few stories and connect with our participants.

Woman enjoying a taco in an outdoor Leadership Tejas event.

A hot and fresh Quesadilla … ¿Qué más quieres?

Group of participants at Leadership Tejas event outdoors.

Carolina double-checking with Milton to make sure he’s absolutely sure about running with the bulls!

Two women enjoying street food at Leadership Tejas event.

Sharing is Caring

Leadership Tejas participants discovered just how fast they can run when bulls are chasing them!

This bull looks determined to give one of the runners a run for their money!

Class III - Del Rio

Mexico’s Consul General in Del Rio, María de la Paloma Villaseñor Vargas, spoke with Leadership Tejas about business opportunities, tourism, and U.S.-Mexico relations.

Leadership Tejas meeting with professional woman speaker at conference table.

Mexico’s Consul General in Del Rio, Texas, María de la Paloma Villaseñor Vargas, engages the Leadership Tejas cohort in an open and candid conversation.

Group of professionals in a boardroom during a Leadership Tejas session.

Del Rio Mayor Álvaro “Al” Arreola joins Class III of Leadership Tejas to meet with participants and share remarks.

Class III - RGV

Group of Leadership Tejas volunteers handing out boxes outdoors.

No Leadership Tejas trip to the Rio Grande is complete without a stop at Lara’s Bakery, one of Texas’ finest panaderías.

Group of four Leadership Tejas members at a border marker sign.

Pro Tip: If you're participating in Leadership Tejas, be sure to bring your passport!

Group of four leadership professionals posing in front of a Mexican emblem at Leadership Tejas event.

Crossing into Mexico is easy enough—getting back out may be a different story!

Class III - South Padre Island

The Leadership Tejas cohort meets with the South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce to gain insight into the island’s economy and economic development.

When in Rome… the Leadership Tejas class enjoys some fun in the sun on South Padre Island’s beautiful beach!

Class III - From Brownsville to West Texas

Maria and Carolina doing their part to support the local economy in Brownsville, Texas!

Leadership Tejas group photo with professionals outdoors near pumpjacks.

Leadership Tejas visits Midland, Texas, to learn about oil and gas production and the vital role the Permian Basin plays in the energy industry.

Three people posing on an outdoor track field at Leadership Tejas event.

West Texas, the birthplace of Friday Night Lights, where football is more than a sport—it’s a way of life.

Group of Leadership Tejas members posing together with thumbs up.

The Leadership Tejas cohort gathers in Odessa, Texas, for a group photo following an engaging briefing on amateur boxing from a local trainer and an aspiring professional boxer.

Class III - Waco, Texas

Group photo of Leadership Tejas team standing in front of Dr Pepper mural.

Leadership Tejas visits Waco, Texas, home of Dr Pepper, for a stop at the Dr Pepper Museum and a look into the history of this iconic Texas-born soft drink.

Group of four smiling staff members in blue shirts around a circular pit.

Cohort members gather around the well fed by the original springs that supplied the water used to make the first Dr Pepper.

Leadership Tejas participants stand beneath a “Whites Only” sign at the Dr Pepper Museum in Waco, Texas.

After touring the Dr Pepper Museum, the class enjoyed a taste of nostalgia with old-fashioned, hand-crafted Dr Peppers.

Class III – Texas State in San Marcos, Texas

Female host on pink background during Leadership Tejas production.

Leadership Tejas participants gain hands-on media training at Texas State University.

Leadership Tejas team photo in a studio setting with five members.

Class III received VIP treatment, with specialized training led by Texas State University professors, graduate students, and staff.

Portrait of a smiling woman at Leadership Tejas TV studio.

Carolina is trained, camera-ready, and eager to put her new media skills into action.

Carolina takes her seat for some on-camera media training.

Hilda and Milton take center stage on camera during a training exercise while classmates observe from the control room and evaluate their performance.

Learning by doing is one of the best ways to learn something new or to improve skill sets.

Class II: Learning in Action.

Leadership Tejas group outside Camara de Comercio building.

Leadership Tejas participants meet with Chamber of Commerce leaders in Ciudad Acuña, Mexico.

Group of professionals seated at a panel discussion for Leadership Tejas.

Ciudad Acuña chamber board of directors meet with Leadership Tejas

Group of Leadership Tejas team members in blue shirts posing for a team photo.

Group photo with Ciudad Acuña's Chamber of Commerce leadership.

Group of professionals in a conference room around a long table for Leadership Tejas.

Engaged in an open and candid discussion about potential future collaborations.

Group of leaders holding a Leadership Tejas magazine.

Promoting Ciudad Acuña's annual Running of las Vacas

Leadership Tejas studio photo featuring three women in a TV studio setting.

Members of Leadership Tejas Class II at the Mulita Media Center at Texas State University.

Two speakers in a podcast studio wearing headphones and microphones.

Robert Rizo and Dr. Judith A. Canales explore the art and techniques of podcasting.

Group of diverse professionals in a computer lab, focusing on leadership training.

Leadership Tejas Class II explores the advantages and disadvantages of various social media platforms.

Group of professionals in a conference room during a Leadership Tejas presentation.

Leadership Tejas Class II hears from Philip Morris International leaders about the company’s evolution and its vision for a smoke-free future.

Group of adults in a meeting room listening to a presenter.

Dr. Gloria Martinez, Professor of Sociology in the College of Liberal Arts, addressing the Leadership Tejas class.

Group photo of Leadership Tejas team wearing blue polo shirts and smiling.

Group photo with Dr. Josh Daspit of Texas State University’s McCoy College of Business following his presentation to the Leadership Tejas class.

Leadership Tejas volunteers smiling in a vintage jeep at the hangar.

Leadership Tejas class members exploring the museum at the Commemorative Air Force’s Central Texas Wing in San Marcos.

Leadership Tejas team in blue polo shirts posing inside aircraft hangar.

Leadership Tejas training enters its explosive phase.

Leadership Tejas team group photo with smiling volunteers indoors.

Group photo with Dr. Gloria Martinez

Two people standing beside a vintage red truck at Leadership Tejas event.

Yasmine Samaniego and Robert Rizo pose for a quick photo with Robert’s vintage 1941 Chevrolet pickup.

Group of professionals at Leadership Tejas posing indoors.

Leadership Tejas participants tour Sea Turtle, Inc., on South Padre Island, learning about its mission to rescue, rehabilitate, and protect sea turtles.

Leadership Tejas event attendees engaging in discussion in a blue themed venue.

The Leadership Tejas cohort enjoys a private guided tour of the Sea Turtle Inc. on South Padre Island

Sea turtle swimming in a tank with blue water.

Two sea turtles recuperating in the hospital and rehabilitation area at Sea Turtle, Inc. on South Padre Island.

Visitor observing a sea turtle exhibit at Leadership Tejas with colorful panels.

Leadership Tejas participant Jonathan Olvera makes a new friend

Group of Leadership Tejas team members in blue shirts outdoors.

Group photo with Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra in San Marcos, Texas.

Leadership Tejas boat tour image featuring a wooden dock and flyer.

Leadership Tejas cohort got to experience a ride in a Glass Bottom Boat over Aquarena Springs in San Marcos, Texas.

Man wearing sunglasses at the beach holding a beverage.

Leadership Tejas Program Director J.R. Gonzales enjoying a cool, refreshing “Turbo” at Wanna Wanna Beach Bar on South Padre Island.

Group of five smiling professionals at the beach for Leadership Tejas event.

No visit to South Padre Island is complete without spending a little time at the beach!

Two women in blue Leadership Tejas shirts enjoying pastries outside a bakery.

Lara’s Bakery, one of Texas’s best panaderías, is a must-visit destination for the Leadership Tejas cohort.

Group of volunteers in blue shirts holding bags in front of Lara Bakery.

Lara’s Bakery, one of Texas’s best panaderías, is a must-visit destination for the Leadership Tejas cohort.

Two smiling staff members serving crispy fried snacks at Leadership Tejas event.

No visit to South Padre Island is complete without enjoying fresh, local seafood.

Group of five professionals in blue shirts posing in front of a wall with eagle sculpture.

With passports in hand and spending money ready, Leadership Tejas takes a quick shopping trip into Old Mexico.

Group of professionals standing in front of Port of Brownsville building.

Our Leadership Tejas group had the privilege of enjoying a private tour of the Port of Brownsville.

Two smiling Leadership Tejas team members in blue polo shirts in a grocery store setting.

Bargain hunting in Mexico is best done in pairs.

Law enforcement officer giving a briefing in a conference room with a screenslide.

Leadership Tejas participants receive an informative briefing from U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Brownsville, Texas, gaining valuable insights into border security, trade, and cross-border operations.

Leadership Tejas program session with attendees and a security officer in the foreground.

Leadership Tejas in a Q&A session with the ranking officer of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Brownsville.

Group of leadership professionals standing in front of an American flag.

Group with U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers.

Two men in hairnets smile in a warehouse with stacked yellow snack bags.

J.R. Gonzales takes a quick selfie with Miguel Garcia, President and Owner of Julio’s Seasoning & Corn Chips, Inc.

Group of diverse volunteers and staff standing in a warehouse with yellow pallets.

A group photo with Miguel Garcia, President and Owner of Julio’s Seasoning & Corn Chips, Inc.

Group tour at Leadership Tejas facility with visitors wearing hair nets and casual business attire.

Mr. Garcia leads the Leadership Tejas cohort on an exclusive tour of his factory.

Group of people with hairnets touring a facility for Leadership Tejas.

Nora Comstock in conversation with Miguel Garcia, President and Owner of Julio’s Seasoning & Corn Chips, Inc.

Leadership Tejas team photo in a meeting room.

Our cohort poses for a group photo with representatives from the Consulate of the Republic of Guatemala.

Person adding chocolate drizzle to ice cream cone at Leadership Tejas.

An afternoon ice cream break because it’s always ice cream o’clock with the hotel’s 24/7 ice cream machine!

Two women posing for photo indoors at Leadership Tejas event.

A photo with Leadership Tejas’ favorite waitress from the hotel bar—officially part of the crew!

Group photo of Leadership Tejas team professionals in blue shirts and casual attire.

Group photo with a Rio Grande expert who briefed us on the impacts of buoys and militarization along the river.

Civic leadership & learning.

Published photographs from legislative briefings, courtroom visits, and the learning experience.

Group of professionals posing for a Leadership Tejas event photo.

Class members gather for a group photo with Chairman Gene Wu.

Speaker in blue suit presenting in a formal chamber with wood paneling.

Chairman Wu engaging the class in a discussion on legislative issues impacting the Latino community at multiple levels.

Leadership Tejas event with two speakers in a wood-paneled room.

Class participant Dr. Judith Canales with Justice Gisela D. Triana.

Ledership Tejas event speaker in blue suit delivering talk.

Texas State Representative and Democratic Caucus Chairman Gene Wu briefs the class on the recently concluded Legislative Session.

Leadership Tejas presentation in a modern office with large windows and city view.

Justice Gisela D. Triana briefing the class on current events and their relevance to the U.S. Constitution.

Leadership Tejas event with a smiling speaker at a panel desk.

Jonathan Olvera poses for a photo during a tour of the Court of Criminal Appeals courtroom.

Group of professionals in a conference room discussing documents and using tablets.

Leadership Tejas participants review key documents and get acquainted with the program curriculum

Group of professionals standing in a courtroom-like setting with flags.

Justice Triana (center) poses with the Leadership Tejas cohort for a group photo.

Group of six women posing outdoors in front of a storefront with trees.

Lunch break at Austin’s legendary hole-in-the-wall Tex-Mex chili spot, established in 1976.

Two judges in black robes standing in a courtroom setting, leadership Tejas theme.

Double Trouble : Emiliano Valencia and Dalila Mancha

Leadership Tejas exhibit showcasing historical figures and a presenter.

Emiliano joins the fight for Mexican Independence—but whose side is he really on?

Speaker presenting in a formal room with columns and wooden panels.

Texas State Representative Lulu Flores delivers a presentation to the Leadership Tejas class in the historic Supreme Court courtroom at the Texas State Capitol.

Judge in courtroom robe seated at bench with American flag in background.

Leadership Tejas participant Joao Rendon dons judicial robes for a photo opportunity.

Speaker presenting to a conference room of professionals.

Texas Third Court of Appeals Justice D. Gisela Triana speaks with the Leadership cohort about leadership and the judicial system.

Group of diverse professionals posing together in a formal setting.

Texas State Representative Lulu Flores poses with members of the Leadership Tejas after her presentation.

Judge seated at desk with robe and American flag in background.

Emiliano Valencia, pictured in judicial robes, during the opening session of Leadership Tejas Class II.

Across Texas. Together.

Adventure learning, industry visits, road trips, and shared experiences from the original program gallery.

Leadership Tejas group wearing life jackets with kayaks on sandy shore.

Leadership Tejas cohort poses before a five-hour canoe trip down the Rio Grande.

Leader on a boat with orange buoys along the river.

Paddling up to the Operation Lone Star buoys along the Texas-Mexico border for a closer look.

Group of professionals at Leadership Tejas with oil pumpjacks in background.

Group photo at the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum in Midland, Texas.

Group of leaders from Leadership Tejas posing outdoors near a bridge.

Taking in the view from the Port Authority building in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Leadership Tejas group photo outside USS Lexington Museum on the Bay.

Group photo taken before boarding the historic WWII aircraft carrier, the USS Lexington.

Two professionals collaborating over a smartphone in a focused discussion.

Arturo Martinez in conversation with Cecilia García Akers, daughter of Dr. Hector P. Garcia.

Group of professionals in a conference room attending Leadership Tejas event.

Class in Midland, Texas: Students gain firsthand knowledge of the oil and gas industry, central to the region’s economy.

Young woman in car holding a McDonald's bag and burger, outdoor backdrop.

Andrea Kosar-Segovia on Road Trips: Andrea enjoys a Happy Meal on the road, showing how simple joys make the trip.

Two people review a menu or program at a Leadership Tejas event.

Fresh Seafood Ordering Teamwork: The group collaborates to choose fresh seafood, highlighting teamwork even in dining.

Group photo of Leadership Tejas participants outdoors with a statue in the background.

Leadership Tejas at Dr. Hector P. Flores Statue: The cohort gathers for a group shot in front of the statue honoring Dr. Hector P. Flores.

Two rowers in a green canoe wearing life jackets on a lake with red buoys in the background.

Navigating the Rio Grande: Canoeing past the iconic border buoys, the group tackles the challenging waters of the Rio Grande.

Sunlit outdoor canoeing scene with a person paddling in a turquoise boat.

“Are We There Yet?”: Elisabeth's patience is truly tested after waiting through two exhausting hours of a five-hour canoe journey ahead of her.

Leadership Tejas community leaders gather near canoes on a lakeside shore.

Outfitter’s River Briefing: The outfitter prepares the class for their river expedition, setting expectations for the journey.

Leadership Tejas team standing in front of a vintage aircraft in a hangar.

B-25 Mitchell Bomber Photo: Participants pose in front of the historic B-25 Mitchell, honoring WWII aviation history.

Leadership Tejas members in blue shirts with aircraft in a hangar.

Say hello to Leadership Tejas’ unique take on the legendary trio: Maverick, Goose, and Ice Man, ready to lead with style!

Leadership Tejas board with notes and diagrams in classroom.

Elizabeth’s Brainstorming Session: Elizabeth leads a creative brainstorming exercise to spark collaboration.

Group of professionals posing with oil pumps in a field for Leadership Tejas event.

Midland Photo Op: The group captures a moment with Midland’s iconic oil drilling rigs in the background.

Arturo’s Class Shirt Design: Arturo proudly shows off the class shirts featuring his custom logo design.

Man pointing at camera in front of flags.

Ruben’s Unique Perspective: Ruben, a class favorite, from the RGV adds a fresh and insightful viewpoint to the class experience.

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Leadership,in the moment.