| Economic Development Staff
TEAM TIGUA
The Economic Development Department Continues to Grow
The Economic Development Department (EDD) was officially established in 2006. Since, the Department has launched a diverse set of economic projects. The EDD has become increasingly recognized for capacity building, innovative program development, strategic planning resource development and a “can do attitude." There is collaborative and genuine will to improve, to aim higher and to make our Pueblo “the greatest nation in Indian Country." The staff highlighted below is committed to working for the Pueblo and will be happy to answer any questions. They may be contacted via the information provided below.
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Patricia Riggs, Director of Economic Development is an enrolled member of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo. She has a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Texas at El Paso. Ms. Riggs administers economic development initiatives, oversees economic strategic planning and analyzes proposed economic projects and investments. Her research interests include how tribal policy, federal policy and culture affect contemporary Native American economies. She has extensive experience regarding American Indian tribal affairs and developing tribal infrastructure and codes. Ms. Riggs was instrumental in the establishment and funding of the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Court. She has experience in program development, strategic planning, grant writing, and the nonprofit sector. Ms. Riggs has sat on national tribal committees and boards such as the Tribal Law and Policy Institute Advisory Board, The Tribal Wellness to Healing Courts (Drug Courts) Publication Committee, and the Tribal Justice Resource Center Management Oversight Committee. She rejoined the tribe in April of 2006 and has since launched several initiatives such as: the Project Pueblo Economic Revitalization Project: Nation Building capacity development activities, established the grants management/writing subdivision, founded the Tigua Inc. Development Corporation and spearheaded tribal business code and infrastructure projects. In August of 2010, this project was officially selected as a finalist for the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development Honoring Nations Award. |
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Sergio Contreras is the Small Business Capacity Builder for the YDSP Economic Development Department. He is a native El Pasoan from Sunset Heights and a former small business owner. Sergio received a Master of Science in Economics from the University of Texas at El Paso where he had the opportunity to participate in many regional studies as a Research and Graduate Assistant. He gained a strong background in finance as a stockbroker in the financial district of New York City. His experience also includes serving as an adult educator at the Opportunity Center for the Homeless in El Paso, TX where he taught English and developed a financial literacy curriculum to combat homelessness. Sergio has provided input on how to develop the downtown area of El Paso to city leaders, business owners, and property owners. He also coaches statistics students at the University of Phoenix. Sergio’s interests include economic growth models, the visual arts, Native American cultures, and his neighborhood. |
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Christopher Gomez, Planner and Project Coordinator joined the department in October 2007. Mr. Gomez is an enrolled YDSP tribal member. He recently graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso (2007) where he obtained his degree in Political Science. Christopher brings expertise in planning from his previous experience at El Paso Community College Research and Development. Office for Institutional and Community Planning. His past experience includes working for the tribe as the Tigua Smoke Shop Assistant Manager and as a slot technician at Speaking Rock Casino. Mr. Gomez is an active member of the YDSP community. He has served as a Mayordomo for Saint Anthony’s Feast Day and was elected to Tribal Council on December 31, 2008. |
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Juan Medina currently serves as the Information and Project Technician. Juan has a broad range of statistical, research and evaluation assessment experience and has also served as a teaching assistant. He received his M.A. in Economics from New Mexico State University and has completed course work toward a M.S in Experimental Statistics at the same institution. He has conducted research in border economics and has extensive knowledge of statistical database development.Juan also has a background in the development, analysis and interpretation of statistical and econometric models. His expertise and research interests make him a good match for the Economic Development Department and the Pueblo’s goal to evolve into a data driven nation.
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Alex Simental, Grants Manager, joined the Economic Development team in June 2008. Mr. Simental holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Texas at El Paso. He brings to the team extensive experience in developing and implementing special projects, which he did for the Upper Rio Grande Workforce Development Board and numerous community-serving organizations throughout the West Texas region. Mr. Simental has developed and supervised multi-million dollar grant projects in the disciplines of workforce and economic development, health care, and community education. Among his principal achievements, Mr. Simental served as Planned Parenthood Center of El Paso’s Chief Operations Officer, helping to create a comprehensive health delivery model for underserved and economically disadvantaged individuals and families. His work in workforce and economic development has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor/Education and Training, as well as the Texas Workforce Commission, and included the creation of El Paso’s first ever E3 Consortium which brought together entities from education, employment and economic development to develop a method for identifying and addressing current and future needs of our growing region. |
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Melissa Senclair, Administrative Assistant joined the Economic Development Team in 2006. Melissa is a member of the Pueblo and a graduate of Ysleta High School. She aspires to complete a bachelor degree in Business Management from the University of Texas at El Paso. She began her career with the tribe in 1996 as a Tigua youth dancer and later served at the Tigua Wellness and Recreation Center. For the past two years, she has had a critical part in the tribe’s transformative nation building process. Melissa plays a supporting role in the administration of economic projects and initiatives. She also assists in the management of department budgets, reports, research, and event planning. Ms. Senclair’s most enduring asset is her strong identification and participation in tribal ceremonial activities and sense of traditional values. |
Contact Information
Ysleta del Sur Pueblo Economic Development Department
119 S. Old Pueblo El Paso, TX 79907
Phone 915-859-8151 Fax: 915-859-2988
Email:
Patricia: priggs@ydsp-nsn.gov
Christopher: cgomez@ydsp-nsn.gov
Alex: asimental@ydsp-nsn.gov
Juan: jmedina@ydsp-nsn.gov
Sergio: scontreras@ydsp-nsn.gov
Melissa: msenclair@ydsp-nsn.gov
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