Brownsville Navigation District · Commissioner, Place 1 · Vice Chairman

Ernesto Gutierrez

Opportunity Is Happening Now
Jobs. Investment. A Port That Works for the Rio Grande Valley.
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Ernesto Gutierrez
About Ernesto

A Businessman Who Knows What It Takes to Build at the Port

Ernesto "Ernie" Gutierrez was elected Commissioner, Place 1, of the Brownsville Navigation District in the May 4, 2024 general election, and in May 2026 his fellow commissioners appointed him Vice Chairman of the board that governs the Port of Brownsville.

A graduate of Saint Joseph Academy and Southern Methodist University, where he earned a degree in Political Science, Ernesto built his career in international business, property development, warehousing, and material handling, along with residential, industrial, and infrastructure construction. Those are the industries that move cargo and create jobs at the port, and he brings that firsthand experience to every vote.

Ernesto and his wife Paulina are raising three daughters, Paulina, Cordelia, and Clara, in Brownsville. His focus is simple: help the businesses already at the port grow, bring new employers to the Rio Grande Valley, and make sure the opportunity the port creates reaches the families who live here.

Priorities

Priorities for the Port of Brownsville

Billions in private investment are flowing into the port. The job is to turn that into good jobs, stronger infrastructure, and a stronger local economy.

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Jobs and Economic Growth

Forza Steel's 650,000 square foot plant, Ternium's $200 million marine terminal, and new cement production are bringing hundreds of jobs to the port. Ernesto's priority is helping existing tenants expand and attracting the next employer.

  • Support the businesses already operating at the port so they grow here
  • Recruit new manufacturers and logistics companies to the Rio Grande Valley
  • Make nearshoring from Mexico a Brownsville advantage
Every new plant at the port is a paycheck for a Valley family.
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Infrastructure That Keeps Up

A deeper ship channel, better rail and road connections, and modern terminals are how the port stays competitive. Investment in infrastructure today is what makes the next project possible.

  • Finish the Brazos Island Harbor channel improvements
  • Expand rail, road, and terminal capacity as cargo grows
  • Plan for the energy projects and LNG operations coming online
Build it right so the port is ready for what comes next.
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Business Experience on the Board

Warehousing, material handling, property development, and construction are the port's daily business. Ernesto has worked in every one of them and brings a builder's practicality to the commission.

  • Practical decisions from someone who has run operations at the port
  • Faster, clearer processes for tenants and contractors
  • Responsible stewardship of the district's 40,000 acres
Real-world experience, not just talking points.
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Accountable to the Community

The port belongs to the people of the Brownsville Navigation District. Ernesto believes the district's growth should be transparent, well managed, and felt in the neighborhoods around it.

  • Open board meetings and clear reporting on port finances
  • Partnerships with local schools and colleges for workforce training
  • Keep residents informed about what is happening at the port
The port's success should be the community's success.
Why the Port Matters

The Port of Brownsville by the Numbers

The only deepwater port on the U.S.-Mexico border, and one of the largest land-owning ports in the country.

40,000
Acres in the Navigation District
600+
Jobs from the Forza Steel Plant
$200M
Ternium Marine Terminal Investment
May 2028
Next Place 1 Election
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