SBDC Team
Program Management
María D. Juárez-Serna serves as the Director of the UTRGV Small Business Development Center, where she leads the program and team in delivering high-quality advisement and training to the business community. Through strategic planning and strong partnerships with key stakeholders, María guides the UTRGV SBDC in achieving and surpassing goals that foster business growth and strengthen the economic landscape of the Rio Grande Valley. Her leadership focuses on creating impactful programs, cultivating collaborative relationships, and ensuring that entrepreneurs and small business owners receive the resources they need to succeed. María holds a Master of Arts in English Literature, a Master of Business Administration, and a Bachelor of Science from The University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg.
Business Development Specialists
Arturo González, Senior Business & Trade Advisor
Arturo González serves as Senior Business & Trade Advisor with the UTRGV Small Business Development Center, where he provides expert guidance in business advisement, business plan development, and training for both startup and established business owners. Arturo is credited with creating the original “Start-up Guide” for UTRGV SBDC. He plays a key role in maintaining strategic partnerships with the Cities of Brownsville, San Benito, and South Padre Island, as well as with partners in Matamoros, Mexico. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a specialization in Finance from The University of Texas at Brownsville.
Fernando Andrade-Larios, Business Advisor
Marcela Arredondo, Senior Business & Trade Advisor
Marcela Arredondo serves as a Senior Business & Trade Advisor at the UTRGV Small Business Development Center, where she provides one-on-one business advisement, business planning assistance, and training to established business owners. Her expertise includes purchasing and supply chain management within the Maquiladora industry. She is also a Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) with a proficiency in international trade, global supply chain management, trade finance, and regulatory compliance. Marcela holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business Management and a Master of Business Administration from The University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg.
Martha Castorena, Business Advisor
Martha Castorena serves as a Business Advisor with the UTRGV Small Business Development Center. Martha joined the center as an Office Assistant and quickly became an integral part of the team. Her professional experience includes roles as an administrator with All Steel Works, business development manager with BPL Plasma, and department administrator of radiology at Knapp Medical Center. In her role as Business Advisor, Martha is committed to helping entrepreneurs and small business owners achieve their goals through expert guidance and support. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business from South Texas College and is currently pursuing her MBA at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg.
Business Training & Stakeholder Relations
Esperanza Delgado, Business Training Coordinator
Esperanza Delgado serves as Business Training Coordinator for the UTRGV Small Business Development Center, where she leads regional business training initiatives through strategic partnerships. She oversees curriculum development for entrepreneurial education, ensuring programs incorporate current trends, practical applications, and tools that empower small business owners. In addition to program design, Esperanza manages the promotion of training services across digital and traditional platforms, directs the creation of marketing collateral, and coordinates impactful events that connect entrepreneurs with valuable resources. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in International Business Management from The University of Texas-Pan American in Edinburg.
Administration & Client Services
Eva Martínez, Office Supervisor