VIA Airport Board

Ricky Leal is Senior Vice President/Commercial Lending of the Stuart Place – Harlingen banking center of First Community Bank, N.A. He is a lifelong resident of Harlingen, graduating from Harlingen High School. He earned a Bachelor of Science – Political Science degree from Texas A&M University, Master of Business Administration degree from Touro University International and completed the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at Southern Methodist University – Dallas. He joined the bank in 2005 after 5 years active duty in the United States Air Force as a Missile & Munitions Maintenance Officer, separating at the rank of Captain. Mr. Leal has a passion for community and volunteerism. He currently serves as Board President – Loaves & Fishes of the RGV, appointed by Governor Rick Perry as Finance Chair –Texas Product Development & Business Fund and Board Chair-Elect for the Harlingen Area Chamber of Commerce. Past service includes President of the Rotary Club of Harlingen, President of the RGV Algodon Club, Chairman of the Harlingen Industrial Foundation and Chairman of the Leadership Harlingen Steering Committee. He is married to Natalie Simmons Leal of Harlingen and has three children.

Bobby Farris, Chairman of TRB Wealth Management, is known throughout the Valley for his business acumen, community involvement, and philanthropy. After graduating from the Marine Military Academy, the Harlingen native earned a BBA in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA in Finance, with honors, from St. Edward’s University. In 1980, Mr. Farris began working at Valley Transit, a full-service bus company founded by his grandfather in 1941. He has served as President of VTC since 1999, overseeing intercity, airport shuttle, charter, and package express service. Mr. Farris holds a Texas Real Estate Broker license, is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP), and is licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard as an Offshore Master Captain. He also is an accomplished pilot holding multi-engine/instrument ratings as well as a SIC rating in the B-25.

The Farris family has long been involved in Rio Grande Valley banking. Mr. Farris’ father helped organize Harlingen State Bank in 1974. After Harlingen State Bank sold to Texas State Bank in 1999, the younger Mr. Farris served as a TSB director until 2007, when the bank sold to BBVA. He also was elected to the Board of Texas Regional Bancshares in 2005, where he served on the Audit Committee.

Mr. Farris has a strong record of community and public service. He currently serves on the Valley Zoological Endowment and Valley Baptist Hospital Holdings boards, on the First United Methodist Church Finance Committee, and as Vice-Chairman of the Texas Regional Bank board. He has served as President or Chairman of the Board for many other business and community organizations, including the American Heart Association, the Harlingen Chamber of Commerce, the Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Harlingen Economic Development Corporation, Harlingen Waterworks, United Way of Harlingen, the Valley Baptist Foundation, and the Texas Bus Association. He also has been on the Salvation Army, Texas Motor Transportation Association, Loaves & Fishes Foundation, University of Texas at Austin Business Administration Foundation, and University of Texas at Brownsville Development Boards. He has served as Budget Chairman for Gladys Porter Zoo, on the Texas Bar Association Grievance Committee, and as a Harlingen City Commissioner.

Bobby has a record of service to his community. He currently serves on four boards and is a past member of 17 other community-based organizations.

Rolando is excited to work with the City of Harlingen and fellow board members in support of the growth of the Valley International Airport and finding regional solutions to the Valley’s infrastructure needs.

Colonel Christopher Dowling, U.S. Marine Corps (ret) is the President of the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas. Chris entered the Marine Corps in December 1984 and enjoyed serving 34 years in various assignments and commands around the globe.  Chris has a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies, and a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration.  Chris is current member of the Harlingen Rotary, and they attend St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. Chris and his wife Karen reside in Harlingen and have two grown boys.

He was appointed by Mayor Chris Boswell in July of 2021 to serve on the Harlingen Airport Board, and his term will expire February 2026.

Mr. Resendez and his wife Diana are the founders of the Tito and Diana Resendez Foundation. The Foundation has awarded their Victory in Academics (VIA) scholarship to 23 graduating Harlingen seniors over the last 3 years totaling $23,000 to date. Mr. Resendez has served on various HCISD committees, most recently as the chair of the Technology committee supporting the 2010 HCISD Bond as well as the 2011 Ninth Grade Academy design committee. He has the served on many boards including the Planning and Zoning Board, Calvary Christian School PFTA board and is an active member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church.

Craig Lonon grew up in the Dallas suburb of Lancaster. After graduating High School he received a BA in Political Science from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of North Texas.

Craig enjoyed a 30+ year career in municipal government serving as City Manager/Administrator for the Texas cities of Levelland, Corsicana, Conroe, Cedar Park and Harlingen. As a City Manager/Administrator, he was responsible for the day to day operations of full service cities with populations ranging from 12,000 to 75,000. He managed annual municipal budgets in excess of $90 million and managed in excess of 550 employees in Harlingen. Craig a Past President of the Texas City Management Association and received its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. Craig retired from municipal government in 2009.

Craig is an avid golfer and serves as President of Harlingen Country Club. Craig also served on the HCC Board from 2011-2013 and as HCC president in 2012 and 2013. Craig and his wife Kathy live on the 13th tee box at HCC. They have 10 grandchildren.