BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Our Board of Directors is comprised of landowners who directly deal with all the issues of land ownership on a daily basis and have a vested interest in protecting their own lands and homes as well as those of all our members. They meet each quarter to discuss, update, and highlight the most pressing issues in order to keep our members informed and up to date on current issues regarding the legislature and private land ownership.

W.W. "Whit" Jones III

Chairman

A South Texas native, Whit currently helps operate his families ranch in Jim Hogg County. Whit serves as a director of the First National Bank of Hebbronville, is on the Appraisal Review Board for ...

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Eric Opiela

President

Eric Opiela is a 5th generation Texan, rancher and attorney. He currently chairs STPRA’s Eminent Domain Subcommittee and has worked to implement our legislative agenda for the past two legislative sessions.

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Walter Negley

Chairman Emeritus

Walter Negley, STPRA founding board chairman, is president of two heavy industrial product manufacturing concerns based in Houston, Texas. Other business affiliations include past board member of Highland Resources, ....

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Berdon Lawrence

Chairman Emeritus

Berdon Lawrence is President of L3 Partners, LLC, which manages the assets and investments of his family. He is Chairman Emeritus of Kirby Corporation, a tank barge company moving petrochemicals and petroleum...

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Mark Alvarenga

Treasurer

Mark Alvarenga, an Arlington, TX native, has been with IBC-Zapata for 11 years after graduating from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio with a B.S. degree in Business. In 2005, he was hired as an Operations Coordinator for IBC...

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William T. "Billy" Guerra

Vice President

Billy Guerra, a native of Roma, TX, currently helps operate the family ranch in Starr County. Prior to returning to the ranch, he was in the automotive industry for over 25 years.

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Othal E. Brand, Jr.

Businessman and elected official, Othal E Brand, Jr. has lived in McAllen, in the Rio Grande Valley of south Texas for over 64 years. He graduated from Texas Christian University in 1976. Mr. Brand worked for the family business, Griffin & Brand and Trophy International for over 30 years. The companies were the ...

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Alice G. K. K. East

Alice G. K. K. East is a longtime rancher from Brooks, Kenedy, and Hidalgo Counties. She oversees the business portion of her family’s ranch, which she shares with her two siblings. Alice has served on the boards of Alice National Bank, the Valley Land Fund and the Museum of South Texas History in...

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Adalberto Garza, DVM

Adalberto Garza was born to founding families of Starr County; He is a doctor of veterinary medicine and graduated from TX A&M University. He practiced veterinary medicine for 37 years as a ...

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Ann Gibbs

Ann Gibbs is co-owner and operator of San Pablito Ranch in Jim Hogg County. Born in Waco, Ann earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where she taught high school Biology...

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James "Jim" Gibbs

James Gibbs, currently the owner and operator of San Pablito Ranch in Jim Hogg County, brings a wealth of business and ranching experience to the STPRA board of directors. Prior to his 18 years as chairman and CEO of Frontier Oil...

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Gail Hoffman

Secretary

Gail Hoffman, along with her husband, Bruce, has been a member of STPRA since its inception. She and Bruce have distinguished themselves with many years of service to our organization ...

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James McAllen, Jr.

James McAllen Jr. is currently serving on the board of South Texas Property Rights Association, Linn San Manuel Community Improvement Committee, Red Sands Groundwater Conservation District, Guadalupe el Torrero Foundation, and Texas A&M- ...

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