Celeste Valadez serves as a Senior Office Associate with the UTRGV Small Business Development Center, where she supports the center’s operations and its mission of assisting entrepreneurs and small businesses throughout the Rio Grande Valley. Celeste brings extensive and diverse experience in administrative support, customer service, and financial operations from both the public and private sectors. Before joining UTRGV, she worked as a Payroll Specialist for a home health agency, a Clerk for the Hidalgo County WIC Program, a Cashier at Knapp Medical Center, and a Deputy Clerk with the Hidalgo County Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office. Celeste has completed two years of higher education and is committed to providing exceptional service and support to the business community.
Program Management
Marivel Mata serves as the Director of the UTRGV Small Business Development Center, where she is committed to fostering entrepreneurship, strengthening small businesses, and advancing economic development across the region. She holds a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration, a Master of Public Administration, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg. Before her current role, Marivel served as Director of the UTRGV APEX Accelerator, where she helped small businesses navigate government contracting opportunities. Under her leadership, UTRGV APEX clients secured 1,627 government contracts totaling more than $225.5 million and created or retained 901 jobs. Previously, as a Senior Business and Digital Media Advisor with the UTRGV SBDC, Marivel assisted entrepreneurs in securing $11.9 million in capital investment, starting or expanding 96 businesses, saving 18 businesses, and creating or retaining more than 1,220 jobs.
Business Development Specialists
Arturo R. 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 P. 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 training program design, Esperanza manages the promotion of training services across digital and traditional platforms, directs the creation of branded 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
Eva Martínez oversees front-desk operations at the UTRGV Small Business Development Center, ensuring a welcoming experience and exceptional service for clients. She also oversees training and support for front-desk staff and student interns while managing the center’s budget and financial operations in collaboration with the Center Director and UTRGV’s Sponsored Programs Office. With more than 25 years of administrative and financial management experience, Eva brings extensive expertise in budgeting, compliance, and grant administration. Her attention to detail and commitment to accountability help ensure effective management of externally funded programs while supporting the SBDC’s mission to serve entrepreneurs and small businesses across the region.