Cameron County administrator named Border Trade Alliance chairman

Pete Sepulveda Jr

Pete Sepulveda Jr., Cameron County administrator and executive director of the Cameron County Regional Mobility Authority, has been named the next chairman of the Border Trade Alliance, or BTA, a nonprofit group of representatives from the United States, Mexico and Canada focused on commerce and trade.

In announcing the chairmanship, BTA cited Sepulveda’s “deep knowledge of cross-border trade and commerce,” noting that he had overseen permitting and construction of five international bridges between the United States and Mexico, including the first rail bridge between the two countries in more than a century. The West Rail Bridge, built west of Brownsville and straddling U.S. 281/Military Road, was dedicated in August 2015.

Sepulveda also oversaw implementation of three Donations Acceptance Program, or DAP, projects in the county, according to BTA. The Customs and Border Protection’s DAP program was created in 2015 to allow CBP and the General Services Administration to accept donations of real estate, personal property, money and non-personal services from private sector and government entities to make possible infrastructure and technology improvements to U.S. ports-of-entry.

Sepulveda takes over the chairmanship from Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Nogales, Arizona-based Fresh Produce Association of the Americas, whose term is winding down, though Jungmeyer will remain on BTA’s executive committee as immediate past chairman, according to the organization. Other incoming officers announced by BTA are Kenia Zamarripa, vice president of international and public affairs for the San Diego, California Chamber of Commerce, as vice chairman; Jon Barela, CEO of the Borderplex Alliance, secretary; and Hector Cerna, president and CEO of IBC Bank-Eagle Pass.

BTA President Britton Mullen praised Jungmeyer’s service as chairman and said “we are just as fortunate to welcome Pete Sepulveda and Kenia Zamarripa as our vice chair, both of whom enjoy tremendous respect throughout the public and private sectors of the border region.”

“The BTA won’t miss a beat,” she said.

Sepulveda said he’s honored to be chosen as chairman by his fellow BTA board members.

“North American cross-border relations are top of mind for policymakers as new administrations get underway in the U.S. and Mexico, and as Canada preps for elections next year,” he said. “I hope to bring to the position a practical understanding of what our borders require to be economically competitive and secure.

“The BTA looks forward to working with leaders in all three countries as we anticipate the first formal review of (U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement) and a vigorous debate on tariffs and border security in the year ahead. I believe the BTA is well positioned to strengthen its influence on Capitol Hill and beyond.”

BTA, founded in 1986, describes itself as a grassroots organization providing a forum for “discussion and advocacy on issues pertaining to border development and quality of life and trade in the Americas.”

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