United Way of South Texas proudly recognized Jaime Salazar of Hidalgo County – Drainage District No. 1 as the 2025 United Way Loaned Executive of the Year, at the 2026 Awards Ceremony held at the Mission Event Center. Each year, community‑minded companies demonstrate their commitment to improving lives by “lending” some of their most talented team members to serve as Loaned Executives.
Loaned Executive (LE) volunteers generously dedicate their time to the United Way for the duration of the United Way Annual Campaign, or approximately twenty weeks. These volunteers are committed to helping raise critical funds that support Partner Agencies and United Way Programs, making a positive impact in the lives of over 225,000 residents in Hidalgo and Starr Counties.
Jaime Salazar, Chief of Staff at Hidalgo County – Drainage District No. 1, served with exceptional dedication during his two years as a Loaned Executive, leading a highly successful employee campaign for his organization. His leadership contributed to a remarkable 56% increase in giving and the addition of 12 Pillar Club Members, each contributing a minimum of $500 annually to United Way. His high energy, reliability, and willingness to support every aspect of the campaign from presentations and drop‑offs, to outreach calls and event set‑ups, were invaluable to United Way staff. Jaime also took initiative in recruiting locally owned businesses to join United Way’s Business United Program, further expanding community engagement. His passion for service and ability to inspire others reflect his unwavering commitment to strengthening the community.
“My experience as a Loaned Executive for the past two years has been one of fulfillment and appreciation,” Jaime Salazar said. “United Way is about more than just fundraising; it’s about bringing our community together. Being able to help coordinate the Hidalgo County employee campaign and recruit local businesses for the Business United initiative showed me the true power of collective generosity and dedication to improving lives.”
The United Way Board of Directors expresses gratitude to Mr. Salazar and all Loaned Executives for their dedication to United Way’s mission: to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community to advance the common good. The following Companies and volunteers participated in the United Way 2025 Loaned Executives program: Diamonique Montoya, Boys and Girls Club of Pharr/San Juan; Fidel Covarrubias, Erick Flores, Stephanie Rivera and Victor Castro, City of McAllen; Luz Galindo, City of Weslaco; Adrian Garza, Greater State Bank; Jaime J. Salazar, Hidalgo County Drainage District No.1; Marily Becerra, Brigette Iracheta, Angel O. Mariscal, Anthony Rios and Alondra Salinas, IBC Bank; Mary Aceves, Magic Valley Electric Co-op; Mirella Perez and Michelle Renteria, Rally Credit Union; Lori Perez and Lucy Renteria, Starr County; Amy Ibarra and Robert Olvera, Vantage Bank Texas.
About United Way:
United Way of South Texas invests in programs that address critical services in the areas of Healthy Communities, Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Community Resilience. The organization supports 21 non-profit agencies in Hidalgo and Starr Counties that serve a minimum of 225,000 local residents annually. Services provided by United Way of South Texas through Partner Agencies include emergency shelter, family violence counseling, character-building programs, child victim advocacy, and infant stimulation classes. To learn more, visit www.unitedwayofsotx.org. If you would like to support United Way programs with a monetary donation, you may mail a tax-deductible check to United Way of South Texas at P.O. Box 187, McAllen, TX 78505-0187 or pledge online at https://unitedwayofsotx.org/donate-now/. For volunteer opportunities, visit volunteersotx.org.