Lopez to run for TSC Board of Trustees

Robert Lopez, director of administrative services for Cameron County, has announced his candidacy for the Texas Southmost College Board of Trustees.

Lopez is a Brownsville native and alumnus of the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College.

“I care about the future of this campus and its continued, responsible growth,” Lopez wrote in a press release, “not only because it’s a part of my own career and family development, but because it provides the education and resources necessary for prosperity in our community as well.”

Lopez graduated from UTB-TSC in 1997 with a BA in psychology, and went on to Michigan State University where he received a BA in political science. He spent several years in management positions at General Motors in Lansing, Mich., before returning to Brownsville for his current position with the county.

Lopez said he hopes to improve the university’s enrollment and graduation rates and wants to implement “green” initiatives to conserve energy.

“One of my biggest passions is being more efficient,” Lopez said. “I have a passion for going green and being paperless and more energy conscious. I would like to save taxpayer dollars and drive down student fees with those initiatives.”

Lopez has never held public office and said he was inspired to run for the board and give back to the university when he heard that several board positions were up for election.

“I feel indebted to this college and I want to contribute to it,” Lopez said.

Lopez has two children and is engaged to Marianela Caballero, a local psychotherapist and guidance counselor.

ltillman@brownsvilleherald.com