Highlights from the Texas A&M news conference in McAllen

MCALLEN, Texas - Texas A&M University System Chancellor John Sharp and Texas A&M University President M. Katherine Banks visited the Rio Grande Valley on Monday, April 10, to announce updates for the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen. The top update announced was the appointment of Manny Vela as COO of Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen. He will start his new post in mid-May. Vela is currently CEO of Valley Baptist Health System.Elected officials, community leaders, faculty and staff were in attendance for the news conference, which was held at the center.The address of the Texas A&M University Higher Education Center at McAllen is 6200 Tres Lagos Blvd., McAllen.Here is an audio highlights package from the news conference. It features Banks, Sharp, Vela, Texas A&M University System Regent Mike Hernandez, and state Sen. Juan Hinojosa of McAllen. Go to www.riograndeguardian.com to read the latest border news stories and watch the latest news videos.