Office of Global Initiatives

Education/Government

Vanessa Perez, a Laredo native, made history as the first in her family to attend and graduate from college. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from the Red McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin in 2004. Her dedication to education led her to become a Certified Texas Educator, where she served as a highly qualified middle school mathematics teacher.

A strong advocate for continuous learning and lifelong development, Vanessa’s commitment to professional growth was recognized in 2024 when she received her Texas Certified Public Manager distinction from Texas A&M International University’s inaugural Elected Official Cohort.

In 2023, Vanessa made history as the first female Council Member to represent District 7.  She was selected by her peers to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore in 2023 and was recently reappointed in 2025.  Only one other Council Member has held this esteemed position twice during their tenure.

Vanessa is serving her second, and final, term as council member.  She and her husband Andres are raising their three beautiful children Andres Jr., Madison, and Joshua. 

Vanessa has advocated for fair and transparent government, better planning, zoning and infrastructure, fair representation, inclusion, economic development, health, safety, and overall better policies and practices for a better city.

Currently, she serves as a Mayor’s appointee on several committees, including the City of Laredo Veteran Affairs Committee, Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Public Safety Advisory, Audit and Accountability, South Texas Development Council, and City-County Government Issues.

Some of the more noticeable changes she has made in office include:

• the establishment of the Laredo Port of Entry Advisory Committee, where leaders in trade meet to ensure a healthy Port Laredo;
• Co-founding the Clean Air Laredo Coalition alongside the Rio Grande International Study Center to tackle air pollution in response to reports that Laredo has an increased risk of Cancer from ethylene oxide (eto) emissions from a medical sterilizer plant in her district. She advocates for improved Environmental Protection Agency rules and practices, air monitoring for EtO, and phase out of the use of known carcinogens;
• the establishment of the Laredo Autism Coalition to address autism spectrum needs; the coalition formed the All Kinds of Minds Master Plan, a first of its kind guide to shape City practices and move Laredo towards a more inclusive, understanding, and accommodating city;
• prioritization of safety, infrastructure, and smart growth for the FM 1472/Mines Road corridor;
• advocacy for a women’s Veteran Group in the Veterans Affairs Committee.

Vanessa Perez has a history of identifying problems, organizing people, and helping formulate solutions. She believes in leaving places better than you found them and always looking towards the future. She will continue to serve the community that she loves.

Business

Born and raised in both Laredos, Chef Gabriela "Maita" Fernandez opened Lolitas Bistro in 2012. For over 14 years, Lolitas has become a local favorite restaurant featuring a mix of international cuisine with a twist of local flavors. Maita has been passionate about cooking since an early age. She began her professional culinary journey at 17, while attending a French baking and pastry program at L'ecole Ritz Escoffier Paris. After graduating from St. Augustine High School, she pursued a bachelor's degree at the Instituto Culinario de México in Monterrey, Mexico, after which she furthered her studies at the French Culinary Institute in NYC. In 2010, Maita came back to her hometown of Laredo pursuing her dream of opening a restaurant and embarking on the challenge of entrepreneurship.

Law

Marisela Salinas Jacaman was born in Laredo and attended St. Peter’s Elementary School and graduated from St. Augustine High School. She attended St. Mary’s University in San Antonio where she obtained her Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in accounting. Upon completion, she attended the University of Texas at Austin School of Law. She has been a licensed attorney since 1993 and has represented clients in civil and criminal cases in the private and public sector.

In 2009, she joined the Webb & Zapata County District Attorney, Isidro R. Alaniz, as the Chief Assistant District Attorney. Her responsibilities include managing 80 plus employees, implementing and managing programs such as jail intake and operation lone star and has represented the State of Texas and victims of Webb County in multiple felony cases. Marisela has served as a Criminal Justice instructor at Laredo College and on committees with the Texas District & County Attorney’s Association, Protective Services advisory board and the City of Laredo Suicide Prevention, as a director of the Webb County Bar Association, President of the Society of Martha Washington and a member of the Women’s City Club and the Laredo Women’s Forum.

Healthcare

Dr. Julie Bazan holds the position of Executive Director at the Area Health Education Center of the Mid Rio Grande Border Area (AHEC), overseeing operations across eight counties in the Mid Rio Grande Border Region, including Webb, Zapata, Jim Hogg, Duval, La Salle, Dimmit, Willacy, and Starr. With an extensive career spanning over 30 years, Dr. Bazan is widely respected as a leader in South Texas and throughout the United States. Her commitment and expertise in leadership, nonprofit management, healthcare advocacy, pathways to higher education, community-based research, and outreach have been the major contributors that have made the Area Health Education Center a stellar program in the Country.

Since 2010, as Executive Director, she has observed the impact of AHEC on the students from K-16. Recently, over 100 alumni of AHEC who are currently practicing a health profession gathered to report ways AHEC has impacted their careers.

Dr. Bazan is deeply committed to advancing higher education, supporting veterans, aiding victims of domestic violence, and advocating for improved mental health services. She actively engages in various community-based research projects at local, state, and national levels, addressing health issues affecting residents of all ages. Her exceptional dedication to community service has earned her numerous prestigious awards, including recognition from the National AHEC Organization as a "Center for Excellence" for her role in establishing ongoing virtual mental health awareness gatherings in 2020, which have since expanded their reach statewide and nationally. Furthermore, her exemplary leadership as Chair of the Suicide Awareness & Prevention Coalition in Webb County earned her the "2023 Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative Award." Additionally, she received the "2022 Reconocimiento Ohtli" award from the Mexican Government in acknowledgment of her contributions to assisting Mexican citizens and promoting their culture. In 2022, LULAC Council 7 honored her with the "Higher Education Award" for her outstanding leadership, mentorship, and service to the youth in the community.

As the immediate Past President of the National Area Health Education Center organization, she leads over 268 programs across the United States and she advocates for improving healthcare access in rural areas, empowering youth with education and career opportunities, and increasing health literacy in all areas.

With a proven track record of successfully leading community-based research projects, Dr. Bazan ensures accuracy and protocol adherence in all phases of research projects. Her expertise lies in fostering collaborations with communities and inspiring residents to explore opportunities and health programs that improve their quality of life. Dr. Bazan has spearheaded numerous educational, awareness, and prevention initiatives throughout the region, extending services to 38 counties in South Texas. Currently, she actively participates in research projects to identify gaps in healthcare systems and resources within the region. Dr. Bazan remains a dedicated advocate for the community and a tireless champion for positive change.

As a Researcher on topics that impact our community, currently,

• she is leading the Susan G. Komen research project in Webb County, impacting women with breast cancer and survivors
• she has completed the health insurance rate research project in Webb County.

Dr. Bazan earned her doctoral degree in management specializing in organizational leadership from the University of Phoenix. She also holds a graduate degree in healthcare administration and undergraduate studies in social sciences with a concentration in business. She is an alumnus of Texas A&M International University and Laredo College. She is a certified Community Health Worker and holds certifications in nonprofit leadership management, CPR, Community Emergency Response, Crisis Intervention, Mental Health First Aid, Mental Health Peer Support Specialist and AS+K.

She attributes ALL her accomplishments to God.