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About Us
RGVAN Paving the Path to Success
RGVAN
RGVAN was founded in the summer of 2015 by local investors, educators and community leaders, who believed that early-stage investing could provide a meaningful return for investors while also spurring local economic growth. Under the direction of Dr. Mark Kroll, the then Dean of the College of Business at UT Brownsville and Laurie Simmons, former Director of the Texas Emerging Technology Fund’s Tropical Texas Regional Center for Innovation and Commercialization, the idea was presented to community leaders. With ten founding members and some seed money from the Texas Emerging Technology Fund, RGVAN was formed.
Mission
The Rio Grande Valley Angel Network (RGVAN) will spark economic growth in the region by connecting investment ready startups with seed funding through our accredited angel investor network.
Vision
Through our efforts, we seek to be a key source for funding and educational resources for entrepreneurs and a platform of meaningful investment opportunities for our members.
Who We Are
RGVAN is an organization that provides a platform for entrepreneurs to access capital and for Angel Investors to invest in scalable enterprises. RGVAN strives to impact the economic prosperity of the Rio Grande Valley and develop an entrepreneurial culture in the region.
Management
RGVAN is an independent member-based organization. RGVAN has a part-time Executive Director, and a fully engaged volunteer Board of Directors and leadership committees whose time, effort, and involvement allow RGVAN to fulfill its mission for investors and entrepreneurs.
Board of Directors
Investing in Entrepreneurship
John F. Martin
Chairman
John Martin is a familiar face in south Texas to anyone talking finance, conservation or education. John holds an MBA, has taught university finance and marketing and spent over 25 years as a financial consultant.
Carlos M. Marin, Ph.D., P.E. President and CEO
Treasurer
Dr. Marin has over twenty-five years of consulting experience in helping both private and public sector clients identify cost-effective strategies for infrastructure management and development.
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William Bradley (Brad) Wolfe
Boardmember
William “Brad” Wolfe received a B.A. in Economics from The University of Texas at Austin in 1988, and immediately returned to Brownsville, joining the family business of NovaLink, Inc., as General Manager.
Dr. Mark Joseph Kroll
Boardmember
Mark Kroll is professor of entrepreneurship at UT Rio Grande Valley’s Robert C. Vackar College of Business and Entrepreneurship. He previously served as Dean of the Vackar College of Business
David Smith
Board Member
David is the President of DSA ONE Business Solutions. DSA ONE provides businesses with document services, litigation support, and a courier service covering the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas.
Gregory S. Rowin, DO
Boardmember
Greg Rowin, D.O., of Harlingen, is an active otolaryngologist at Valley Ears, Nose and Throat incorporated. He has been there for the last 25 years and he is the past managing partner of this nine-physician, single specialty practice.
Laurie Simmons
Executive Director
Laurie Simmons serves as the Director for the Center for Innovation and Commercialization (CIC) at the College of Business and Entrepreneurship at UTRGV.