VIA Airport Board
Dedicated to being the bestBoard Members
Harlingen City Code, Article II, Chapter 8, Section 8.86
Valley International Airport Board has seven board members who serve three year terms. The Mayor appoints two members and the City Commission appoints five members (each City Commissioner is entitled to make one appointment)
Ricardo "Ricky" Leal, Chairman
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.
Vicki Moore, Board Member

Julie Ezell-Perez, Board Member

Col. Christopher S. Dowling, Board Member

Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired)
Marine Military Academy, 320 Iwo Jima Blvd, Harlingen, TX 78550
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.
Tito Resendez, Board Member

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.
Juan Longoria, Board Member

Alejandro Gallaga, Board Member
Alejandro Gallaga is the Founder and Managing Partner of The Law Offices of Alejandro Gallaga, PLLC., which he founded in 2018. Having been born and raised in Harlingen, after earning his Doctor of Jurisprudence from South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas, he returned to Harlingen to begin his legal career. He currently owns and operates his own law firm in Harlingen, Texas, primarily focusing on Family Law, Criminal Law, Real Estate, Estate Planning, and Probate. He received his Bachelor of Arts from Texas Tech University, earning his degree in Philosophy with a Specialization in Legal Studies in 2014. He lives in Harlingen with his wife, Dr. Selina Garces Gallaga, and as a lifelong resident, he intends to commit to serving the community encompassing the people of Harlingen and South Texas.
Board Meetings
The Board meets the third Tuesday of each month at 5:00 p.m. in the Airport Terminal Building, Third Floor Airport Conference Room, Harlingen, TX. If you should have any questions, please call Celina at the Airport Administration at (956) 430-8600 or email: celina@flythevalley.com.
2022 Board Meeting
2021 Board Meeting
February 5 2021 – Special Meeting
April 22 2021 – Special Meeting
April 30 2021 – Special Meeting
August 4 2021 – Special Meeting
VIA Board Meeting YouTube Playlist
2020 Board Agendas
2019 Board Agendas
2017 Board Agendas
January Agenda
February Agenda
March Agenda
April Agenda
May Agenda
June Agenda
July Agenda
August Agenda
September – no board meeting
October Agenda
November – no board meeting
December – Agenda
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