Young: Strengthening Our Future: Texas Business Leaders Deepen Ties with Northern Mexico

Last week, I was privileged to lead a delegation of Texas Business Leadership Council (TBLC) members to Nuevo León and Coahuila to build on one of the most vital and dynamic economic relationships Texas has – our deep and evolving partnership with Mexico.

As a network of CEOs and senior business leaders committed to making Texas more globally competitive, the TBLC went to Mexico not just to listen, but to engage, learn, and invest in the future.

During our three-day visit, we were honored to meet in Monterrey with Governor Samuel García of Nuevo León and in Saltillo with Governor Manolo Jiménez of Coahuila. The leadership and hospitality of both Governors underscored the mutual respect and shared interests between our states.

Texas and Mexico do not just share a border—we share supply chains, labor markets, cultures, and communities. In northern Mexico, industrial growth and innovation are rapidly transforming the region into a global hub for advanced manufacturing and financial services.

Our delegation met with business leaders from these industries to discuss the growing opportunities that the area’s economic stability provides. A clear example of this came from a tour of an operations center that one of our own member companies recently opened in Monterrey as they expand into an ever-growing market.

What we saw was inspiring: modern facilities, skilled talent, and a commitment to excellence that mirrors our own ambitions in Texas.  A meeting with the Mayor of Monterrey Adrián de la Garza confirmed what is glaringly obvious, the region’s dedication to sustaining a prosperous business climate.

We also had the privilege of meeting with academic leaders at Monterrey Tech, one of Latin America’s premier institutions for higher education and innovation. We were particularly impressed by their entrepreneurial programs and cutting-edge Innovation Center, which are cultivating not just a highly qualified workforce but also a new generation of global leaders. Their emphasis on forward-thinking curriculum, experiential learning, and international collaboration, including with The University of Texas System, resonated strongly with our goals in Texas, where we understand that a strong education and the development of talent are essential to economic growth.

The trip was more than symbolic. It was strategic. As businesses navigate a changing global landscape—from disrupted supply chains to geopolitical tensions, there is increasing value in nearshoring and regional cooperation; a sit down with Melissa Bishop, the U.S. Consul General in Monterrey, reinforced the importance of cross-border partnerships in sustaining economic progress and regional stability.

Mexico is proving to be a critical extension of Texas’ economic infrastructure. Strengthening these ties is not just good policy, it’s good business. In both Nuevo León and Coahuila, we found partners who understand the value of regional integration and are investing heavily in education, infrastructure, and innovation.

The TBLC believes that sustainable growth comes from alignment between the private sector and public leadership. In this regard, we want to thank our own Governor Greg Abbott for being a champion of business and policies that enable a strong economy.

As we look ahead, TBLC will continue to advocate for initiatives that bolster our binational ties, enhance border infrastructure, and support collaborative innovation.

We return from Mexico energized, informed, and more committed than ever to deepening our economic alliance. The prosperity of Texas is inextricably linked to the prosperity of our neighbors. When we invest in each other, we invest in a shared future—one of opportunity, competitiveness, and lasting success.

Editor’s Note: The above guest column was penned by Dale Young, chairman & CEO of Summit Financial Group and chairman of the Texas Business Leadership Council. The column appears in the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service with the permission of the author.

Editor’s Note: Here are some of the photos TBLC took during their visit to Nuevo León and Coahuila:

Photo courtesy of Texas Business Leadership Council.

Photo courtesy of Texas Business Leadership Council.

Photo courtesy of Texas Business Leadership Council.

Photo courtesy of Texas Business Leadership Council.

The post Young: Strengthening Our Future: Texas Business Leaders Deepen Ties with Northern Mexico appeared first on Rio Grande Guardian.