{"id":314789,"date":"2026-05-30T00:58:13","date_gmt":"2026-05-30T00:58:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/314789\/"},"modified":"2026-05-30T00:58:13","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T00:58:13","slug":"utep-honors-alumni-businesses-leaders-and-entrepreneurs-during-ceremony-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/314789\/","title":{"rendered":"UTEP honors alumni businesses leaders and entrepreneurs during ceremony"},"content":{"rendered":"

EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 The University of Texas at El Paso on Thursday honored past graduates who have become business leaders and entrepreneurs of great repute.<\/p>\n

This is the second year UTEP has recognized alumni entrepreneurs with its Miner Business Impact Awards ceremony.<\/p>\n

\"For<\/p>\n

For the second year in a row, UTEP recognized the fastest-growing alumni businesses and the leading corporate and organizational partners that have made a significant impact on the economy and the University. Honorees were celebrated at St. Roger\u2019s Depot on May 28, 2026, during the Miner Business Impact Awards ceremony. Collectively, these alumni-led businesses employ more than 2,100 individuals and have generated more than $1.8 billion in revenue over the past three years. Credit: The University of Texas at El Paso.<\/p>\n

Below is the list of the 15 UTEP alumni-led businesses that were given the Miner Business Trailblazer Award in recognition of their growth, as the university noted these business employ over 2,000 people and have generated close to $2 billion in revenue in the last three years.<\/p>\n

RECOMMENDED: UTEP breaks ground on $102 million Miner Crossing dorm, dining hall and fitness center<\/a><\/p>\n

Airport Printing ServiceAlumni: Mike McCorgary, President, BBA in Finance ’93About: Airport Printing Service offers digital and offset printing to businesses, handling everything from large-scale commercial printing projects to direct mail, custom packaging and more.All That Music and VideoAlumni: George Reynoso, President\/Owner Operator, B.A. in Broadcasting \u201977About: What started as a small neighborhood shop with 500 used records and a love for music has transformed into a thriving location at the Fountains at Farah that is keeping the demand for physical media alive and well in the El Paso region.CEA GroupAlumni: Ruben Chavez, Principal\/Co-Founder, B.S. in Civil Engineering \u201995, 2025 Gold Nugget Recipient; Ulises Estrada, Principal\/Co-Founder, B.S. in Civil Engineering \u201995; Frank Corral, Principal, B.S. in Civil Engineering \u201901; Jorge Grajeda, Principal, B.S. in Civil Engineering \u201909About: Specializing in planning, design and construction management, CEA Group is a leading civil engineering firm with 56 employees. The firm offers public and private sector design services in transportation, water and land development throughout the Southwest.Commercial Screenprinting, Inc.Alumni: Crystal Bocanegra, Vice President of Operations\/Co-Owner, BMS in Multidisciplinary Studies \u201909; Dawn Maniates, Director of Sales, BBA in Management \u201999About: Family-owned and founded in El Paso in 1987, Commercial Screenprinting Inc. provides screen printing, embroidery, print and promotional products to clients locally and nationwide.Culinary Institute, Inc.Alumni: Arturo Cervantes, DBA, President, B.A. in Spanish \u201976About: This Houston-based institution provides degrees, certifications and diploma programs in culinary arts, hospitality and restaurant management, serving students and U.S. veterans nationwide so that graduates can have successful careers in the culinary world.Dynamic Fabrication, Inc.Alumni: Andrew Crook, President, B.S. in Mechanical Engineering \u201900; Olga Garcia Crook, Controller\/Operations, B.A. in English & American Literature \u201996About: Dynamic Fabrication Inc. is a certified aerospace welder and custom metal manufacturer that makes high-quality parts for planes, satellites, rockets and more for national aerospace and defense clients like Raytheon, Lockheed Martin and SpaceX.El Paso Del Norte AdvisorsAlumni: Felix Holguin, Co-Founder, BBA in Finance \u201901; Victor De La Rosa, Co-Founder, BBA in Computer Information Systems \u201901About: El Paso Del Norte Advisors serves the El Paso community by helping individuals and families navigate health insurance options through education and guidance \u2014 at no cost to the client.Keystone GC, LLCAlumni: Francisco Guillen, President, B.S. in Civil Engineering \u201997About: Keystone Contractors and Engineers has 48 employees and specializes in federal, commercial and residential construction with experience in schools, municipal projects like road construction and sidewalks, multi-family developments and industrial facilities.Pinkie\u2019s, Inc.Alumni: Austin Keith, President\/Owner, BSED in Physical Education \u201977About: Purchased by UTEP alumnus Austin Keith in 1998, Pinkie\u2019s Inc. is a chain of liquor stores with 180 employees. Pinkie\u2019s has remained a trusted regional brand serving West Texas for over 90 years with locations in Abilene, Lubbock, Amarillo, San Angelo and beyond.Spectrum Therapy ConsultantsAlumni: Sandra Terrazas, Founder\/Director of Operations, M.S. in Kinesiology \u201905About: Spectrum Therapy Consultants offers pediatric, speech and occupational therapy, as well as rehab services in El Paso, Horizon and Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo. It comprises 65 employees and eight outpatient clinics, with two additional clinics scheduled to open in El Paso\u2019s Eastside in 2026.Square Communications, LLCAlumni: Marisol Trevino, Founder\/CEO, BBA in Marketing \u201908, BBA in Accounting \u201914, 2025 Miner Business Trailblazer HonoreeAbout: A full-service marketing agency known for its excellence, transparency and creativity, Square Communications specializes in reaching Hispanic audiences. This is the second year the company is named a Miner Business Trailblazer Award recipient.The Intelligent OfficeAlumni: Alice Hughes, Founder, BFA in Studio Art Sculpture \u201998; Dax Hughes, Co-Owner, MBA \u201907; Bradley Hughes, Co-Owner, BBA in Management \u201989About: The Intelligent Office provides virtual office solutions and professional business services like phone answering, appointment scheduling and providing secure offices to entrepreneurs and small businesses\u2014helping clients maintain a polished presence while adapting to the needs of a growing operation.Valenzuela Law FirmAlumni: Felix Valenzuela, Founding Attorney, B.A. in Political Science \u201903About: Valenzuela Law Firm is a criminal defense firm specializing in complex state and federal matters, putting forth a strong defense when the stakes are high. The law firm has a strong portfolio of cases that have garnered national media attention.Windstar LPG, Inc.Alumni: Marco Zaragoza, CEO, BBA in Finance \u201905About: Windstar LPG Inc. is an established energy company specializing in trade, storage, transportation and distribution of propane and refined fuels between the U.S. and Mexico. With more than 20 years of experience and 1,500 employees, Windstar combines wholesale and retail distribution expertise with strong international trade capabilities and maintains a significant share of Mexico\u2019s fuel import market.Yagel Therapy ServicesAlumni: Claudia Yagel, CEO, MOT in Occupational Therapy \u201911About: Yagel Therapy Services is a woman-owned pediatric therapy provider specializing in occupational, speech and physical therapy for children and families throughout the El Paso community.<\/p>\n

RECOMMENDED: El Paso County seeks proposals for management, operation of county-owned Coliseum <\/a><\/p>\n

UTEP also recognized the University Medical Center of El Paso (UMC) with the Partner in Prosperity Award, highlighting UMC’s role as a corporate partner that has helped the university with its ” mission by supporting student success, investing philanthropically and strengthening the health, culture and economy of the El Paso region,” UTEP wrote. <\/p>\n

\"For<\/p>\n

For the second year in a row, UTEP recognized the fastest-growing alumni businesses and the leading corporate and organizational partners that have made a significant impact on the economy and the University. Honorees were celebrated at St. Roger\u2019s Depot on May 28, 2026, during the Miner Business Impact Awards ceremony. Collectively, these alumni-led businesses employ more than 2,100 individuals and have generated more than $1.8 billion in revenue over the past three years. Credit: The University of Texas at El Paso.<\/p>\n

“For decades, UMC and UTEP have shared a common purpose: to serve people of El Paso through education, innovation and compassion,” said Jacob Cintron, president and CEO of El Paso County Hospital District and a UTEP alumnus. “By creating a stronger healthcare pipeline in partnership with UTEP, we are investing in the long-term health of our region. We want to ensure students who begin their healthcare journey at UTEP can build meaningful careers in their own community without having to leave the city.”<\/p>\n

UTEP also presented the Presidential Gold Bar Award to the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME), recognizing its support on the re-launch of the university’s mining engineering program. <\/p>\n

“Receiving the Presidential Gold Bar Award is a tremendous honor, and it means all the more given the context in which it is being presented,\u201d said Mary Korpi, president of SME. \u201cWhat makes the UTEP partnership so special is the convergence of so many things SME cares about: honoring the history of mining education in this country, expanding access to the profession and responding urgently to a real workforce crisis facing our industry.”<\/p>\n

UTEP thanked GECU, El Paso Inc., El Paso Electric, ADP and KPMG for their support in the ceremony. <\/p>\n

The ceremony was held Thursday evening at the St. Roger’s Depot, located at 420 N Campbell St. in Central El Paso.<\/p>\n

Sign up<\/a> to receive the top interesting stories from in and around our community once daily in your inbox.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 The University of Texas at El Paso on Thursday honored past graduates who…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":314656,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[138,140,139],"class_list":["post-314789","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-el-paso","tag-el-paso","tag-el-paso-headlines","tag-el-paso-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/314789","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=314789"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/314789\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/314656"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=314789"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=314789"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=314789"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}