McAllen Chamber of Commerce

Biography

Josh Mejia is the President/CEO of the McAllen Chamber of Commerce, a 501(c)6 nonprofit organization that is tasked with economic development, tourism, government affairs, and chamber initiatives in McAllen, Texas. He is also the founder of Mejia & Company which helps communities across the U.S., Canada, and Latin America develop and implement entrepreneurship-led economic development strategies and commercial development projects.

With over eleven years of experience in economic development, entrepreneurship, government relations and marketing, Josh Mejia has excelled in delivering results through strategic leadership and collaboration amongst a variety of stakeholders. Josh Mejia’s unique background and upbringing as a child of immigrant parents has proven to provide a unique approach in increasing engagement and growth amongst minorities across the U.S through diversity, equitable, and inclusive strategies. In addition, Mejia has a proven record in expanding his economic development strategies with engaging stakeholder groups in order to address foundational challenges which ultimately have impeded socioeconomic mobility. Projects like the eBridge Center for Business & Innovation have been used as a prime example by industry leaders such as the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Kauffman Foundation for its ability to foster collaboration amongst key stakeholders, both domestically and internationally, to empower entrepreneurs in retaining, expanding, and creating ventures as well as attract human capital and investment.

Efforts for both Brownsville, Texas and other communities across the U.S., Canada, and Latin America have resulted in additional recognition from industry leaders such as the U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, the International Economic Development Council (“IEDC”) and the Development Counsellors International (“DCI”) for strategies that continue to drive economic development towards new frontiers. These recognitions include the 2020 Young Economic Development Professional award from IEDC and the 2021 “40 Under 40” award from DCI, to name a few.

Josh Mejia is driven by the many stories shared amongst those who believe in the “American Dream”. Having experienced hardships that have shaped his personal and professional life, Mejia has been able to establish a unique foundation of understanding on how entrepreneurship serves individuals as an avenue to economic prosperity. As a conduit in both the public and private sector, Mejia firmly believes that the continuous generation of positive economic impacts can only be achieved through collaboration, engagement, data and complete cultural inclusion. By playing a role in economic development, which services both public and private interests, Mejia has been able to establish strategies and projects that engage those who seek to venture towards such economic prosperities.

As a native of a U.S. Mexico border town which is composed of a unique “minority-majority” makeup and a rich history of entrepreneurship and immigration, Mejia continues to excel in his career in promoting equitable and inclusive economic development for a much brighter future for many communities in the Americas. Being the father of two girls has further enhanced Mejia’s ability to understand just how we all strive to provide better opportunities for those that follow. Such ambition, which remains evident amongst many Americans and is commonly shared but hardly exposed and engaged, is what motivates Josh Mejia to continue delivering avenues for success for those who seek to create it.