Matias De Llano Charitable Trust Bestows
$500,000 to TAMIU’s A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business

The Matias De Llano Charitable Trust donated $500,000 to Texas A&M International University’s A.R. Sanchez, Jr. School of Business for the continuation of its Ph.D. Program in International Business Administration.

A check for an installment of $500,000 was presented today to University representatives including TAMIU president Dr. Ray Keck, dean of the Sanchez School of Business Dr. Jacky So, and Ph.D. Program director, Dr. William Gruben.

De Llano Trust Gift The Matias De Llano Charitable Trust has provided a gift of $500,000 to Texas A&M International University’s A. R. Sanchez Jr., School of Business for continuation of its Ph.D. program in International Business Administration. Left to right are Dr. Jacky So, dean, Sanchez School of Business; Dr. William Gruben, Ph.D. program director; Dan Hastings, Trust Committee member; Dr. Ray Keck, president; Dennis Nixon, International Bank of Commerce Chairman of the Board and CEO; Eddie Farias, Trust Committee; Leonardo Salinas, Trust Committee and Peggy Newman, Trust Committee.

Representing the Trust’s Committee were Eddie Farias, Dan Hastings, Peggy Newman and Leonardo Salinas.

The $500,000 pledge is the second contribution from the Trust after a previous gift of $500,000 in 2004. This second commitment will be matched by the Sanchez Challenge Grant, bringing the combined total from all gifts and matches to $1.5 million.

Matias De Llano was born in Laredo, Texas in 1918 to Mr. and Mrs. Matias De Llano. One of eight children, he attended Laredo schools as well as the New Mexico Military Academy and was a veteran of World War II.

His father was the founder of the Texas Hat Company, at one time one of the largest manufacturers of straw hats in the country. De Llano was employed by the Hat Company for many years. He had a zest for life and for helping the disadvantaged. He contributed to many causes, including the Boys and Girls Clubs, the Sacred Heart Children’s Home, and many other charitable organizations. Laredo’s Matias De Llano Elementary School was built and named in his honor.

De Llano enjoyed many close friendships, including his beloved nieces and nephews, and others. He often said his favorite sport was being with his friends and enjoying life.

The Matias De Llano Charitable Trust was established on April 1, 2003, under the Last Will and Testament of Matias De Llano. De Llano appointed IBC Bank as sole Trustee of his Trust. From 2004 to 2009, the Trust has donated over $2,500,000 to local organizations and schools.

De Llano directed that the Trust continue his legacy by helping the community that he lived in and loved. He was especially interested in the Trust assisting children and the less fortunate.

Trust officials say they intend to maintain the Trust’s corpus while distributing the annual income to charitable organizations in Laredo for many years to come.

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