Gloria Ann Freeman was born to Gloria Hilda and Carlos Blanco Sr. on August 31, 1955 as the second of seven children. Gloria Ann was raised in Laredo, TX where she along with her sisters helped tend their grandfather’s ranch.

In the early 60’s Gloria became a Junior Girl Scout, which gave birth to her life-long views and passion for community volunteering. When Hurricane Beulah set its sights on Corpus Christi, TX in 1967, her volunteering to babysit around the neighborhood transformed into strategic planning and organizing help for the Corpus area. Delivering a flatbed loaded with filled sandbags was to be the first of many humanitarian missions throughout her life.

After graduation from Raymond & Tirza Martin High School in 1973, Gloria set up residence in Guadalajara Mex. and had her first child, Gloria Michelle. Upon her return to the United States, Gloria moved to Virginia Beach, VA where she met and married Steven Ray Freeman, also from Texas. In the Tidewater area, she balanced family, work, and community volunteering with the National Red Cross and USS Harlan County Wives Club. In 1975, the Freeman family moved to Bermuda, again balancing the three facets of her life. There was volunteering with the International Red Cross, the Community Thrift Store, and the Bermuda Wives Club. Even though life was fulfilling there, Gloria experienced life-changing events with a diagnosis of cancer and a miscarriage. Arriving in San Diego, CA 1978, Gloria gave birth to a son, Charles LeRoy, and settled in New Orleans, LA eighteen months later. During this time, Gloria did not work or volunteer due to medical issues. In 1980, Gloria called the US Mayport Naval Station home and while still unable to work, immersed herself in family and volunteering. Gloria joined the Jacksonville Chapter of the American Red Cross, USS Fahrion’s Wives Club, was a Girl Scout Assistant Troop Leader, Cookie Sales Coordinator for the Beaches Area, and was also known for feeding the Homeless. Arriving in Texas after her husband’s separation from the Navy, she felt they were back home and ready for the next phase of her life, again blending working, volunteering, horse breeding, and family.

Gloria almost lost her life due to a chemical accident in 1986 where she was in a coma for 28 days. Frail, she made an attempt to continue working while her husband struggled with PTSD and physical impairment. Gloria returned to Laredo in 1991, sad and broken, for she had left her husband in the Dallas area.

Days after setting foot in her hometown, Gloria got a job at the Webb County Juvenile Detention Center as the Intake Officer and then later added the responsibility of Assistant Programs Coordinator to her daily routine. From there she moved on to the South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse as an Administrative Assistant, and eventually began volunteering at the American Legion where she tended bar and helped coordinate the 1997 POW/MIA Recognition Dinner. That was also the last year Gloria used a “Little Red Wagon” to feed the homeless in Jarvis Plaza. In 1998, the Thanksgiving meal for the Homeless was a resounding success, but unfortunately would be the last hurrah. For medical reasons Gloria took a break until 2011.

After enrollment in Laredo Community College, she became a member of the Honors Program, Phi Theta Kappa, TACHE, TRIO, and was appointed Presidential Student Ambassador. During her time there Gloria assisted with the establishment of the Palomino Food Pantry under the sponsorship of Judge Liendo. In 2012 she also joined Cesar Chavez Memorial Alliance where she sits on the Board of Directors, and presently holds the office of vice-president. In 2014, Gloria became a member of LULAC 777 in support of veteran’s rights and benefits where she serves as the vice-president of that Council, and is currently the Deputy Director for the Elderly in District 14. On October 10, 2019, Mayor Pete Saenz appointed Gloria Resident Commissioner to the Laredo Housing Authority Board of Directors. In the fall of 2022 Gloria returned to Laredo College to pursue another degree.

Douglas A. Poneck, a founder and managing partner, serves as general counsel for several of Escamilla Poneck’s governmental entity clients. Mr. Poneck’s practice focuses primarily on government, general civil practice and providing guidance to clients in the areas of public administration, employment, education, housing, and other areas.

Mr. Poneck has represented clients in state courts, appellate courts, the Texas Education Agency, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Office for Civil Rights, among other entities. He maintains his practice while overseeing the daily operations of the Firm.

Year Joined Organization:
1991

Areas of Practice:
Local Government
General Civil Practice
Employment

Bar Admissions:
Texas, 1991

Education:
University of Michigan Law School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1990, J.D.
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1987, A.B. (cum laude)

Professional Associations, Memberships, Honors & Boards:
National School Boards Association, Council of School Attorneys, Member

National Association of Bond Lawyers, Member

Texas Association of School Boards, Council of School Attorneys, Member

Hispanic National Bar Association, Member

San Antonio Bar Association, Member

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of South Texas, Advisory Board Member

National Development Council, Board Member

Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow

Forty Under Forty for San Antonio, Member

Via Metropolitan Transit, Trustee