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About Us
Our Mission at Laredo Housing Authority
The Laredo Housing Authority’s mission is to serve the diverse housing needs of families within its jurisdiction by:
1. Increasing the availability of constructive, safe, decent, sanitary and affordable in its communities.
2. Ensuring equal opportunity in housing.
3. Promoting self-sufficiency and asset development of families and individuals.
4. Improving resident quality of life and economic viability.
5. Providing high-quality client services.
Our Leadership
The Laredo Housing Authority is governed by a five member Board of Commissioners, one of whom is a Housing Authority resident. The Mayor of the City of Laredo, Texas appoints all board members. The Board of Commissioners has fiduciary responsibility as well as responsibility of establishing and overseeing policy for the agency. The Board of Commissioners also hires the Executive Director, who serves as the agency’s Chief Executive Officer. The Executive Director oversees the day-to-day operations of the Housing Authority and implements policies and programs established by the Board.
For the purposes of maintaining transparency and informing the public at large, LHA will provide the agendas and minutes of its Board of Commissioners meetings.
Board of Directors
Cynthia Mares
Board Chair
Appointed 01/17/2023
Silvia Madrid
Vice Chair
Appointed 01/17/2023
Joe E. Aranda
Commissioner
Appointed 01/17/2023
Leo Flores
Commissioner
Appointed 01/22/2024
Myrna P. Flores
Resident Commissioner
Appointed 01/01/2025
Jennifer Barrientos
Executive Director
Appointed 12/01/2024
Douglas A. Poneck
Legal Counsel
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
J. Cruz & Associates
Legal Counsel
PRIOR SERVING COMMISSIONERS
The Agency is grateful to the following community leaders for their invaluable service as Commissioners:
Jose L. Ceballos, Chairman, January 2016 thru December 2023
Dr. Sergio D. Garza, Vice Chairman, January 2016 thru January 2023
Dr. Marisela Rodriguez-Tijerina, April 2016 thru January 2023
Anita Guerra, March 2017 thru January 2023
Gloria Ann Freeman, October 2019 thru December 2024
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