New Economic Director Hired at the City of Del Rio
After a ten-month vacancy, the City of Del Rio has hired Orestes Hubbard as its new Economic Development Director. Hubbard’s first day in the office will be Monday, August 18, 2025. His appointment became official on August 12 when the City Council voted unanimously in favor of approval. Hubbard, who has lived in San Antonio for the last 25 years, will be relocating to Del Rio with his wife and will receive an annual salary of $115,000, plus benefits.
The City Council's resolution to appoint Hubbard recognized “the importance of fostering economic growth, attracting investment, and supporting local businesses.” Hubbard addressed City Council and said: “This is going to be a very challenging position for me, it’s a little bit of change in scope from what I’ve done before… but I have more than 25 years of economic development experience, so I think I bring a lot to the community. I am very excited for the potential and the possibilities that can arise as a result of this type of town.”
Most recently, Hubbard served as the Executive Director of Underserved Business Services at the University of Texas in San Antonio. In this role, he managed a team of 11 professionals, administered multi-million-dollar grants, and expanded the program by 500%, earning 18 consecutive national excellence awards. Hubbard holds an MBA in Business Administration from Texas A&M International University and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Management from Tecnológico de Monterrey. He is also bilingual and holds an Economic Development Finance Professional certificate.
Burkart’s recommendation of Hubbard said: “His core competencies include executive leadership and program development, economic development strategy and policy, federal grants management and compliance, public-private partnerships and stakeholder engagement, budgeting, financial oversight, and P&L management.” Human Resources Director Mario Garcia added that Hubbard “is adept at aligning program goals with institutional objectives, influencing policy, and driving sustainable growth in underserved communities."
Hubbard's experience in supporting underserved and minority-owned businesses is a strength that could prove valuable to the Del Rio community. Given that Del Rio has a population that is over 85% minority and a poverty rate higher than the national average, Hubbard's specific skills are a good match for the local demographics and economic needs. Burkhart said that Hubbard “has been recognized for developing business service centers and launching four national [Minority Business Development Agency] MBDA programs,” with award-winning results.
According to City Council records, the position has been vacant since October 1, 2024. Jorge Ramon was the former Economic Development Director for the City of Del Rio. Ramon held the role for 2.5 years, from April 2022 until October 2024 when he resigned. Prior to working for the City of Del Rio, Ramon worked for the State of Coahuila in Mexico as Economic Development Undersecretary. When he resigned his position in Del Rio, he returned to work for Mexico. Ramon now serves as the Director de Fortalecimiento Municipal de Acuña (Director of Municipal Strengthening).
As the City navigates a $2 million budget deficit and proposed layoffs, officials believe prioritizing strategic leadership is essential to drive future growth. Effective guidance is crucial for a strong and stable economic department. Hubbard's hire is intended to help the City chart a course toward a more sustainable and prosperous future for the entire community.
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