Some roles are earned through decades of quiet work—brick by brick, block by block. In late 2024, Robert Lozano, F&P Group Founder and now Advisory Board Member, stepped into such a role when he was appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to serve as Presiding Officer of the Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority (HCRMA).
It was more than a personal milestone. It was a reflection of a lifelong commitment to community building, economic growth, and hands-on leadership in the Rio Grande Valley.
A Region on the Rise
The Rio Grande Valley is one of the fastest-growing areas in the United States. In just a few decades, Hidalgo County has transformed from a patchwork of rural towns into a vibrant, diverse hub of commerce, education, and culture. But growth brings complexity—especially when it comes to infrastructure.
With more people, more businesses, and more movement across cities like McAllen, Pharr, Edinburg, and Mission, the region faces urgent questions:
- How do we reduce traffic congestion?
- How do we connect growing neighborhoods to job centers?
- How do we future-proof mobility for generations to come?
That’s where the Hidalgo County Regional Mobility Authority (HCRMA) plays a central role.
What Is the HCRMA?
The HCRMA was established to help guide smart, local transportation planning—working in partnership with state agencies but driven by community needs. It’s one of several Regional Mobility Authorities in Texas, designed to give local leaders more control over infrastructure decisions that directly affect their communities.
Their mission is clear:
“To provide Hidalgo County with opportunities to accelerate needed transportation projects through the direction of a local board making local choices about local mobility needs that enhance quality of life and economic growth for all residents.”
That clarity is critical. Unlike federal or state bureaucracies, the HCRMA is built around local leadership making local decisions. Every tollway, bridge, and corridor they propose or develop is rooted in a vision of quality-of-life improvement and long-term prosperity for the region.
Now, that vision is in the hands of someone who’s helped build prosperity in the Valley for over 35 years.
Why Robert L. Lozano?
Ask anyone in South Texas who Robert Lozano is, and you won’t just hear about the Chairman of a successful brand. You’ll hear about a community leader. A mentor. A business operator who has shown what it means to grow with intention and stay connected to the people who make it possible.
Decades of Experience, All Local
Lozano’s story started in McAllen in the 1980s. Alongside his wife, Laurie Lynn, he took a chance on a struggling Dairy Queen location in Pharr. That leap of faith eventually grew into F&P Brands, which today operates dozens of restaurants and development projects across Texas. But behind every expansion was a commitment to reinvest in people—from team members to entire communities.
Over the years, Lozano has also served in pivotal leadership roles, including:
- Chairman, Greater State Bank – helping support local financial needs in South Texas
- Board Member, Dallas Federal Reserve (San Antonio Branch) – shaping regional economic policy
- Board Member, McAllen Economic Development Corporation – helping attract investment to the Valley
- Board Member, Alamo Bank of Texas and International Bank of Commerce
- Chamber Member, McAllen and Pharr Chambers of Commerce – advocating for small business growth
He’s collaborated with city governments, business coalitions, and nonprofit organizations to identify opportunities and remove roadblocks. That background makes him uniquely equipped to lead the HCRMA into its next chapter—because he knows how to balance big-picture strategy with on-the-ground reality.
Building the Future: 365 Tollway and Beyond
Lozano takes the role seriously—and personally.
One of the biggest initiatives currently under HCRMA development is the 365 Tollway, a major infrastructure project designed to improve regional connectivity across East and West Hidalgo County. Once completed, this loop will help reduce congestion, improve logistics, and shorten travel times for families and workers across the area.
But the tollway is more than pavement. It’s a long-term play for economic stimulation.
Increased mobility means:
- Better access to jobs
- Faster delivery for regional commerce
- Stronger infrastructure to attract new business investment
- Improved emergency response across communities
And behind it is a leadership team—now helmed by Lozano—deeply focused on feedback from municipalities, residents, and business stakeholders.
“I get the big picture,” Lozano says.
“But I also understand the importance of bringing stakeholders together. That’s where transformation begins—when everyone is heard.”
His “boots-on-the-ground” mindset isn’t just a phrase. Within weeks of his appointment, he toured key HCRMA worksites with engineers, asking questions, listening to insights, and identifying where strategic support was most needed.
Local Roots, Expanding Reach
Lozano’s leadership style reflects the same principles that built F&P Brands: show up, ask questions, stay humble, and move with purpose.
Through F&P Media, the team’s newest initiative within F&P Group, the Lozano family is extending those values even further. Designed to amplify local stories and business insights, F&P Media gives a voice to teams, communities, and leaders across Texas. From content that celebrates internal wins to podcasts like Life Currency, it’s all part of his mission to connect people—physically through roads, and emotionally through shared purpose.
One of the clearest examples of that purpose?
The Life Currency Endowment to Driscoll Children’s Hospital, which ensures that children in the Rio Grande Valley can access world-class healthcare—regardless of financial status. It’s philanthropy with impact. Long-term thinking with real-world results.
Leadership That’s Bigger Than a Role
Being appointed Presiding Officer of the HCRMA isn’t just about infrastructure. It’s about stewardship.
Lozano understands that this role comes with expectations: to create clarity in complex systems, to navigate public and private interests, and to deliver tangible value to the people of Hidalgo County. That’s not just leadership—it’s service.
And he brings to that service a rare blend of:
- Local credibility
- Policy experience
- Business acumen
- Community-first mindset
Governor Abbott’s choice sent a message: growth in South Texas will be led by those who know it best.
What Comes Next
For the Rio Grande Valley, the next decade is crucial. Decisions made today will shape how people live, work, and move tomorrow.
Under Robert Lozano’s leadership, the HCRMA is positioned to not just meet the moment, but to shape it—making mobility smarter, growth more inclusive, and progress something everyone can feel.
As Lozano puts it:
“We’re not just building roads. We’re building trust. We’re building futures.”
Learn more about the HCRMA’s mission and upcoming projects:
Visit hcrma.net to explore, get involved, or share feedback.
