The Port of Entry Advisory Committee on an unspecified date introduced Elsa Hinojosa as the City of Laredo’s new bridge director.

Hinojosa, who said she has worked for the city for 17 years across several departments, told the committee she will conduct a multi-division assessment of bridge operations and expects it to take about three months. She described experience in community development, the city manager’s office, municipal housing, grant management and an interim role in the building department.

The assessment will include work with bridge staff and the committee’s liaison, Eva Lozano, who Hinojosa named as the primary contact for committee requests while she completes the evaluation. Hinojosa also said committee members may still contact Assistant Director Ken Richard if needed.

Committee members welcomed Hinojosa and said they anticipated working with her and offering subject-matter expertise from the private sector and committee membership.

Hinojosa said in her introduction, “I’ve been with the city for 17 years, worked in different departments of the city of Laredo, starting community development… I have a lot of experience working with state, federal, and treasury grants.”

The committee did not take any formal action related to the appointment during the meeting; the item was informational and intended to establish staff contacts and an early work plan.

The committee asked staff to include Hinojosa and Lozano on committee distribution lists for meeting updates and agendas.