The Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association (WBCA) has announced their selection of Porter S. Garner III as their honoree for the prestigious Mr. South Texas Award for the 126th Washington’s Birthday Celebration.
“Porter S. Garner III, a true native son of Laredo and South Texas, embodies the spirit of leadership, dedication, and community impact. Through his transformative leadership at The Association of Former Students, he has tirelessly championed higher education for young people in the region. With his unwavering commitment, remarkable fundraising achievements, and contributions to Texas A&M University and the Aggie Network, Porter Garner deserves the honor of being selected Mr. South Texas,”
said Rochelle Gonzalez WBCA President.
The Mr. South Texas designation is presented to a deserving individual who has made a significant and lasting contribution to the growth and development of Laredo and the South Texas region. The formal announcement was made during a press conference held at Texas Community Bank (TCB) in Laredo. The event is sponsored and hosted by TCB.
“Texas Community Bank is pleased to sponsor the Mr. South Texas Luncheon and we congratulate Mr. Garner for being selected as the 2024 Mr. South Texas Honoree as part of the 126th Celebration,” said Douglas G. Macdonald, President & CEO of TCB. “It is a well-deserved recognition. We’re excited to welcome such a fine and hardworking individual to our community and invite all Laredoans to join us in congratulating him.”
The Mr. South Texas Selection Committee, comprised of past presidents of the WBCA and former Mr. South Texas recipients who reside in Laredo, meet and discuss possible candidates. Committee members take great effort in creating an all-inclusive nominating pool of candidates from all walks of life who have made a significant impact on the area.
“I am honored beyond words to be named Mr. South Texas. As a proud native of Laredo, I well know the significance and stature this recognition represents and I never imagined even being considered, much less ever being selected. I am humbled to be among the many great Texans who have received this revered award over the years,”
said Garner.
Porter S. Garner III is a true native son of Laredo and South Texas. He attended Ryan Elementary School, Lamar Junior High, and graduated from J. W. Nixon High School in 1975. During those years he was heavily involved in 4H and FFA, all the while enjoying ranching and raising animals. Porter also worked at the Cadillac Bar, was a lifeguard at the Webb County pool, and attained the position of head lifeguard at the Elks Lodge pool. Upon graduation from high school, Porter attended Laredo Junior College for one year before moving to College Station and attending Texas A&M University, where he earned his BBA in marketing in 1979. He started his career with Hughes Tool Company before joining The Association of Former Students as Field Director in 1981. After nearly eighteen years of service, Porter was unanimously elected by the Board of Directors to lead the organization, making him only the seventh Chief Executive in The Association’s 144-year history.
“I have loved South Texas my entire life. I routinely look for opportunities to travel the unique and beautiful brush country and visit the wonderful people who make it so special. Most of all, I am so very thankful for the many lifelong, genuine friends I enjoy in Laredo and throughout South Texas. I want to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to all involved in my selection as Mr. South Texas. I am forever grateful,” Porter said.
Over the last twenty-three years as President and CEO, he has inspired innovation and led initiatives to achieve The Association’s vision to become the premier alumni association in the world. Under Porter’s leadership, The Association has enhanced its programs and services and broadened its reach and relevance to the worldwide Aggie Network. Porter serves as a non-voting member of The Association’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee, working closely with the Board to ensure that donated funds are used in the most efficient and effective ways to benefit Texas A&M and the Aggie Network. He is very passionate about helping young people from Laredo and South Texas succeed, and during his more than forty-year career with The Association has helped countless students from South Texas achieve their goals by gaining a higher education.
Under Porter’s leadership, The Association of Former Students’ total assets have grown from $55 million to $218 million, and the organization has raised over $450 million impacting Texas A&M and Texas Aggies worldwide. He led the brand development of The Association and has driven significant growth in the Aggie Ring Program, including Aggie Ring Day, and unprecedented fundraising. Porter led the creation of the Bonfire Relief Fund which was used to assist victims of the Bonfire tragedy on November 18, 1999, and in 2017, he helped to secure financial assistance and support for victims of Hurricane Harvey. His vision led to the development of Aggie Park, which is now the premier green space on the Texas A&M campus, regularly bringing the Aggie Network together for celebration, relaxation and inspiration. To celebrate the grand opening of the park in 2022, Porter was instrumental in organizing a free concert for the public, at which Robert Earl Keen ’78, Max Stalling ’89, The Barn Dogs (Classes ’23 – ’25), and Julianna Rankin ’18 all performed.
In 2022, Porter was recognized as an Outstanding Alumnus of the Mays College of Business. The highest award bestowed upon a Mays graduate, the Outstanding Alumni Award recognizes recipients for leading lives of distinction and embodying the Aggie core values of excellence, integrity, leadership, loyalty, respect and selfless service.
Porter serves on the board of Baylor Scott & White Hospital – College Station Region and is only one of two individuals to have been honored with a lifetime membership in the Brazos County A&M Club. He and his wife, Lisa West Garner, who was born at the Laredo Air Force Base and is a proud Aggie, Class of ’91, are Endowed Century Club donors to The Association of Former Students, Eppright Distinguished Donors and members of the Texas A&M Legacy Society.
Porter is the son of the late Porter S. Garner Jr. and the late Wanda Mae Bessan. With longstanding family roots in Laredo, his grandfather, Porter Sr., owned several businesses in Laredo and was an educator with Laredo Independent School District. The central kitchen was named in his honor. Porter’s maternal grandfather, Achille Mehault “Mayo” Bessan, started the world-renowned Cadillac Bar in 1925. His son-in-law, Porter S. Garner Jr., took the reins in the 1950’s and in 1979 turned it over to his employees. Porter Jr. was also President of the Laredo Border Olympics and a founding member of the Laredo A&M Club. Wanda Mae was involved with the Celebration, serving as President of The Society of Martha Washington in 1969 and portraying Martha in 1970. Both of Porter’s sisters, Wanda Garner Cash and Clay Garner Berry, were presented with the Society and Porter served as an escort in 1975.
While Porter lives in College Station, his heart is never far from South Texas. Over the years, he has spent considerable time in Laredo where his family ranch is located. He is very grateful to have so many wonderful and genuine friends in Laredo and throughout south Texas. His biggest hobbies include a lifelong love of hunting and fishing the brush country, quail hunting, and entertaining family and friends at the ranch, better known to many as The Lodge. Porter often hosts events there promoting South Texas and the brighter promise of higher education, specifically through Texas A&M and the Aggie Network. Porter and Lisa have three children, all Aggies: Claire ’21, Callie ’23, and Porter IV ’26.
“Porter S. Garner III’s unwavering dedication to education, transformative leadership at The Association of Former Students, and impact in South Texas make him a standout choice for Mr. South Texas. With a passion for his roots and a vision for the future, Porter’s impact resonates far beyond the University, embodying the spirit of excellence and service that defines what this honor bestows,” said D. Matthew Gibson, Chairperson for this year’s Mr. South Texas Selection Committee and WBCA Immediate Past President.
Together with the Mr. South Texas designation, Ambassador Garner becomes a member of a select group of national and international distinguished men and women who are honored for their dedication and countless hours of service and support to the Washington’s Birthday Celebration each year by an official induction ceremony and presentation of the Caballero Medallion.
One of the most celebrated and illustrious WBCA events is the Mr. South Texas Luncheon Hosted by Texas Community Bank, attended each year by dignitaries and honored guests from the United States and Mexico. This year’s luncheon will take place on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at 12 p.m., at the Laredo Country Club. Texas Community Bank generously sponsors the event.
The Mr. South Texas Luncheon Hosted by Texas Community Bank is one of more than 32 events in the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Calendar. Throughout the years, the Celebration has grown to be over a month long and consists of parades, dazzling pageants, fireworks, a carnival, an air show, a sizzling jalapeño festival and much more.
Save the Date for the 126th Washington’s Birthday Celebration, which takes place January 13 – March 2, 2024.
