ICM Missionary Sisters involved in Proyecto Desarrollo Humano:

Board of Directors/Mission Partners

These five ICM Missionary Sisters were welcomed and aided in their dream by Gary Frisby, Pueblo de Palmas developer, and other Valley leaders with a heart for the poorest of God’s people.  From this core group today’s Advisory Board has evolved.  They are local business and professional leaders.

Lupe Gonzalez,
Chairman
Lupe retired as the Superintendent of Mission School District.  When he first came into our lives, he was on many Boards in the area and was also running his own educational consulting firm.  In those long ago days when the PDH community center was under construction, it was Lupe who would drive out to this then-barren spot at 3 am to accept and watch over the deliveries of building supplies.  At the invitation of Bishop Raymundo Pena, Lupe is now the administrator of the National basilica of Our Lady of San Juan.

Sr. Tellie Lape, icm
President
Sr. Tellie is one of the five ICM Missionary Sisters who make up the permanent staff of PDH.  Sr. Tellie did the legwork in scouting various possible sites for our dream of establishing Proyecto Desarrollo Humano.  Her vision and her hard work have been essential to making PDH what it is today.

Dawna Frisby
Secretary
Dawna is the wife of Gary Frisby, owner/developer of Pueblo de Palmas. She and her husband donated the original lots for the PDH community center and for the Sisters’ home. Their generosity knows no bounds, and their commitment to PDH is without limits.  Dawna is famous for her phone calls which always start with, “How are you doing? What do you need?”

Sr. Carolyn Kosub
Assistant Secretary

Robert Calvillo
Bobby is Executive Director of McAllen Affordable Homes and has used his expertise to guide the formation of PDH.  He is dedicated to helping low income people achieve home ownership.  Recently Robert was named as a James A. Johnson Community Fellow by the Fannie Mae Foundation.

Rev. Craig Carolan
Fr. Craig is pastor of San Cristobal Magallanes Parish, a newly created parish which includes several mission churches.  He is among the priests who volunteer their ministerial time to offer Eucharistic Celebrations once a month here at PDH.

Deacon Albert Chapa
Deacon Albert and his wife Eva are old friends of the Sisters from the days when some of the ICM’s worked in Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish.  Albert serves as our liaison with the parish, and Eva has been an ESL teacher at PDH since our beginning.

Dalinda Garcia
Dalinda is a local attorney who is always available to give us legal guidance.  During our First Anniversary celebration, she showed that she is also talented in face-painting!  Dalinda is the wife of Jaime Anzaldua, land developer of Pueblo de Palmas and constant helper of the Sisters.

Bertha Ibarra
Bertha is president of B&A International, which operates in this border area.  She is currently training our sewing cooperative members in business practices.  From the beginning of PDH, Bertha has served as our tax expert.

Dr. Manuel Lastra
Dr. Lastra is President of Radiology Associates and has been faithful to PDH from its inception.  He continues to serve as our introducer to the medical world, bringing other physicians on board PDH.  We can always count on him for wise insights on any topic under discussion.

Ruben Solis
Ruben is a local businessman who volunteered his services as the contractor for both PDH buildings and the Sisters’ home.  During construction, not a day went by without a visit and/or a call from Ruben.  For him, every day is “great!”  His faith and optimism brighten all he touches.

Becky Villareal
Becky is a principal at La Joya Independent School District.  She serves as our entry into the larger educational world and is always ready to be of service to PDH.

Scott Walsh
Scott, a local attorney, is the newest member of our Board. His first act was to facilitate the paperwork for the incorporation of PDH as a non-profit entity.  Scott’s wife Colette serves as our teacher for the First Communion preparation aspect of our evangelization program.