Our Team

Victor Perez, President and CEO

A lifelong native of the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo (PSJA) area, Victor Perez is President and Chief Executive Officer for the Pharr Economic Development Corporation. As President & CEO, he works to promote and maintain the economic vitality and quality of life in the city of Pharr by stimulating capital investment, retention and attraction of industry and job creation.

Perez boasts a strong background in management experience, previously servings as Principal, and District Administrator for School Operations at Progreso Independent School District after having served in various leadership capacities at the district since 2004. Prior to his employment at Progreso, Perez worked for PSJA Independent School District as an educator, Head Athletic Coordinator and Student Liaison. Perez graduated from the University of Texas-Pan American with a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration.

Along with his management experience, Perez has an extensive background in public service and community development. Perez served as Alamo City Commissioner, Planning and Zoning Board Member for the City of Alamo, PSJA School Board Trustee, and Progreso Municipal Judge. Perez also sat on the governing board of the Lower Rio Grande Valley Development Council, the area’s regional council of governments, for eight years. He is a member of the Alamo-Pharr Lions Club and the Alamo Quarterback Club, amongst other community organizations.

Karina Lopez, Economic Development Manager

Karina Lopez, as the Economic Development Manager at the Pharr Economic Development Corporation, plays a pivotal role in nurturing robust business relationships and bolstering the growth of local businesses. With a vast history of over 16 years with the City of Pharr, Karina has honed her expertise across diverse roles, specializing in office administration, project management, and collaborative efforts with business leaders and community stakeholders to spur economic progress, support small businesses, and foster job creation.

A proud alumna of the University of Texas Pan American, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, complemented by a Minor in Spanish, enriching her community interactions and outreach initiatives.

Karina’s professional journey is marked by a commitment to cultivating partnerships with businesses and organizations, spearheading workforce programs, and orchestrating special projects and events. Her competencies include securing funding for community-enhancing programs, chamber operations, and leading business development initiatives. Karina’s expertise extends to community engagement, social media, and steering marketing and content creation strategies. Notably, she was instrumental in managing the city of Pharr’s COVID-19 recovery center, conceptualizing, and successfully launching a scholarship program aimed at supporting local students’ pursuit of post-secondary education.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Karina’s leadership shines through her civic engagement, and she has contributed her vision and effort to various boards and committees such as President of the Rotary Club of Pharr 2023, the PSJA ISD Advisory Board, the Sotomayor Advisory Board, and others, showcasing her unwavering commitment to community service and economic advancement.

Juanita Cavazos, Property Development Manager

Junita “Janie” Cavazos is the Property and Business Development Manager for the Pharr Economic Development Corporation. Her primary function is to provide support and resources to keep PEDC properties and commercial development leased and occupied, as well as, bring new investment and job creation for the citizens of Pharr. Having worked with the McAllen Economic Development for over 30 years, she brings an invaluable knowledge and experience in business recruitment. Through the Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Program, Janie assisted numerous companies already doing business in the region to grow and expand. Her passion for her profession has led to many accolades and accomplishment for the surrounding areas. She has served on various capacities on boards and committees such as Texas Workforce Solutions, McAllen ISD Career Technology & Engineering, South Texas Manufacture’s Association, El Milagro Clinic, RGV Focus, Texas Border Coalition, Society for Human Resource Management to name a few, aimed at helping the residents to excel.

Janie is an alumnus of the University of Texas Pan American where she earned a Bachelor of Communication and Public Relations with a Minor in Marketing.

Lilvette Santos, Economic Business Development Director

Lilvette Santos has excelled throughout her professional career in government as well as the private sector. Areas highlighted throughout her work experience range from science backgrounds to areas such as microbiology, chemistry, environmental, occupational safety, and health, to administrative and executive backgrounds in the areas as Human Resources, strategic planning, administration, among others. She relocates from Puerto Rico to Texas in 2009 where she has the opportunity to continue contributing through her multidisciplinary background, for both government institutions as well as for private company and manufacturing. She also has the experience as a former business owner in the oil & gas sector in markets as the Caribbean, US, Mexico, and Canada. Ms. Santos has also excelled in the community in areas of social interest in different ways, not only in her home country of Puerto Rico but also in Texas.

She has a B.S in industrial microbiology with a minor in chemistry and a M.S. in molecular biology from the University of Puerto Rico and a M.S. in environmental risk management from the Metropolitan University in the addition of a series of certifications that qualify her in multiples industrial sectors as well as administration.

Maribel Garcia, Executive Administrative Assistant

Francisco J. Mendez, Accountant