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Irv Downing named UTB/TSC Vice President for Economic Development and Community Services
BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS – JUNE 12, 2009- As he sits in one of the large classrooms in the International, Technology, Education, and Commerce Center (ITECC), Irv Downing sees a bright future in economic development for the ITECC.
Downing has joined The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College as the Vice President for Economic Development and Community Services.
“I want to see the areas of work force training and small business incubation expand and grow,” he said. “The more that we can grow this sector, the more of a player we will be in economic development for this region, and that is what this is about economic development and community service.”
Downing brings more than 30 years of experience in city planning, economic development and banking to this new position at UTB/TSC. He believes the future lies in the areas of bio medical research and physics.
“I would also like to use the ITECC as a vehicle to take the research capability of the university that exists right now and merge those with what industry needs,” Downing said. “We want to put those two together to incubate other types of high technologies, like nano-technology. This will take us into a new direction.” 
UTB/TSC President Dr. Juliet V. García said that Downing’s background brings just the right combination of experience to the position.
“Having worked in the banking industry, Mr. Downing knows the needs of businesses in this region as few can,” she said. “He also has a strong background in community development, and I can think of no better combination of skills we would look for to provide leadership as we expand our economic development efforts.”
The position of Vice President for Economic Development and Community Services (VPED & CS) was formerly the Vice President for External Affairs. The newly created position corresponds more directly to the strategic needs of the university to advance academic and economic development for the region.
The office is responsible for developing relationships between UTB/TSC capabilities in workforce training, education and academic research with l regional commerce and business interests.
Downing began his professional career as the planner for the City of Brownsville where he directed comprehensive planning activities. He subsequently served as founding Executive Director of the Brownsville Economic Development Foundation.
Downing joined Texas Commerce Bank in 1987 and ultimately became Regional President of JPMorgan Chase Bank, Lower Rio Grande Valley. He directed regional Commercial Banking from Brownsville to Laredo.
As an advocate for education in the community, Downing currently co-chairs the Imagine Brownsville comprehensive planning effort and is on the board of the Brownsville Community Foundation.
Downing has also served on the UTB Development Board and chaired the TSC Foundation Board. Other volunteer activities during his career included serving on the Rio Grande Valley Multibank, a community development financial institution focused on affordable housing financing in the Rio Grande Valley, the Greater Brownsville Incentive Corporation, Brownsville Planning and Zoning Commission – Brownsville Community Development Corporation and the Brownsville Opportunity Youth Soccer Association.
“It is really exciting to now be working directly with people that I have worked with as a volunteer and the folks I have known here at ITECC. I have watched how this facility has transformed itself since 2002, and it is even more interesting now,” Downing said. “The people that are here are what make me excited about this new position.”
Located at the ITEC Center, Downing may be reached at (956) 882-4235 or Irv.Downing@utb.edu.