Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is responsible for the Coop’s activities, strategies, and performance. They are elected at-large by all the members (owners) of VTCI. The GM of VTCI reports to the BOD and the BOD, in turn, reports to the members (owners) at our annual meetings.

Arline Harris - President was born August 16, 1931 in Cleveland, Ohio. Arline married Fred Harris on July 11, 1953 and they moved to the Dilley area in 1962. They started a laying hen operation and remained in that business until the 1980's. They raised 3 children, Paul, Nina and Sherry. As they were growing up she was active as a 4-H Leader and remained in that position until 1981. She has also been an active member of her church serving in many offices and as a Junior Choir leader. She is presently employed part time as a recruiter for a large health organization and serves on the board for the Methodist Church, contributes articles for the newspaper, bowls, plays bridge, and is teaching an adult education class on learning the Internet. Arline has served on the Board of Directors for Valley Telephone Cooperative since 1997 and is a fervent believer in cooperatives.

J. T. Mayo Jr. - Vice President was born in Raymondville, Texas on May 10, 1951. He married Mary Ruth Robinson on February 14, 1987 and they have one son. J. T. and Mary Ruth reside in San Perlita, Texas and are in the farming and nursery business and have a business in Central America. J. T. has served on the Board of Directors for Valley Telephone since 2003.

Margie Pollock - Secretary was born in Hargill, Texas on September 23, 1940. She married Max Pollock on October 25, 1958 and they have four daughters. Margie graduated from Edinburg High School in 1958. She retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 44 years, with 32 of those years as Postmistress for the Hargill office. Max and Margie reside in Hargill. Margie has served on the Board of Directors since 1992. She is an active member, pianist and Treasurer of the First Baptist Church in Hargill and Secretary of the Hargill Community Building Board.

James H. Mann - Treasurer was born in Bigfoot, Texas on September 18, 1944. He married Janie Sobrino on January 24, 1976 and they have one daughter and one son. James graduated from Pearsall High School in 1963 and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1963-1967. James and Janie reside in Bigfoot, Texas and are in the farming business. He has served on the Board of Directors since 1975 and is active in various organizations. He is a member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Pearsall.

Hilario Alvarado Jr. – Director was born in Mission, Texas on April 8, 1948, and has been married to Alma Garza Alvarado for thirty-nine years. They are the proud parents of three children: Sara Alicia, Hilario III, and Anabella and proud grandparents of Hilary and Hilario IV. After graduation from San Isidro High School, Hilario chose to pursue both his undergraduate and post-graduate from Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas and went on to earn a Bachelors Degree in Education, a Masters Degree in Administration, Guidance and Counseling Certification, a Mid-Management Certification and a Superintendent Certification. Hilario worked thirty years in education as a teacher, counselor, coach, principal and superintendent. After retiring from education, he has dedicated his time to expand a family business that he co-owns with his brother, Frank Alvarado. In the expansion of their awards and photography business, they have implemented the latest technology to better serve their customers. As a life long member of the San Isidro Catholic Church, Hilario currently serves as a finance counsel member and as chairman for the San Isidro Festival.

George Bennack - Director was born in Raymondville on May 19, 1956. He married Gracie Alvarado from San Isidro in 1992. They have one son and two daughters. He holds a degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas--Pan American. George is a bilingual professional with a background in telecommunications, construction and aviation management and administration. He currently works on economic and business development projects for the University of Texas--Pan American. George has served on the Rio Grande Valley Development Council Board of Regents and has served on the Valley Telephone Cooperative Board of Directors since 1997.

Charles Fred Hillje - Director was born in La Salle County on June 19, 1939. He married Peggy Pugh on June 22, 1963. They have two daughters and one son and reside in Cotulla, Texas. Charles Fred, better known as "Freddy", attended Texas A&I University in Kingsville. He was employed with Southland Drilling Company for ten years and at that time was known as the youngest driller in the state of Texas. He later became a partner with his brother as a stockfarmer. He is also ranch foreman for the La Cantarana Ranch. He served as County Commissioner of La Salle County from 1969-1970. He has been a member of the Board of Directors of Valley Telephone since 1971. He is active in the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Cotulla.

Sidney Spear - Director was born in Laredo, Texas on October 7, 1930 and is a seventh-generation South Texan. He married Irene Leal on October 26, 1983. He has two sons and two stepsons. Sidney graduated from Martin High School in 1948 and is bilingual. He attended Laredo Jr. College for 1 1/2 years and was employed by the Texas Mexican Railway for 42 years. At the time of his retirement in October 1992, he was Manager of Rates & Divisions and in charge of Marketing & Sales. Sidney is a retired USAR Captain with 21 years of service. Sidney has served on the Board of Directors for Valley Telephone since 1996. He is Treasurer of the Sacred Heart Society, Sacred Heart Church in Realitos, Texas.

Flavio Villarreal - Director was born February 15, 1933 in El Sauz, Texas. He married Ernestina Alaniz, on September 7, 1958 and they have two sons and a daughter. He is a veteran of the Korean Conflict, having served from 1953 to 1955, and returning to Texas to attend Pan American University until 1957. Flavio has worked for the Department of the Army in a civilian position and later spent 21 years with U.S. Customs. A farmer and rancher, he serves on the Medina Electric Advisor Committee, Starr Co. Soil and Water Conservation Board, KC Council and is presently a director of the Starr County Farm Bureau. Flavio has served on the Board of Directors for Valley Telephone since 1997.

Matthew L. Kiefer- Director was born on November 5, 1971 in Atchison, Kansas, the second of three children of Paul and Connie Kiefer. The family moved to Raymondville when Matthew was four-years-old. He is a graduate of Raymondville ISD and attended the University of Texas - Pan American in pursuit of an accounting degree while working as a stock boy at Watson’s City Drug in Raymondville from 1990 through 1995. In June 1995, Matthew purchased Watson’s City Drug and he continues to operate it today. In 1999, Matthew founded a joint real-estate venture with his brother, Dana Kiefer. They currently own and operate several commercial and residential rental properties. Through the continued growth and success of his businesses, Matthew has been able to enthusiastically give back to his community through his numerous sponsorships and donations. Matthew has been a resident of Lasara, Texas since 1995. He is married to Mary Ann, and they have three children: Jacklynn, Lauren, and Matthew Dalton. Matthew has served on the VTCI Board of Directors since September 9, 2009, after being appointed by the VTCI Board to complete the Director term of the late David Hoelscher.