“I have a strong commitment to our community and to our school district,” he said in his announcement. “I will continue with my march for higher standards for our children and will continue to strive for perpetual educational growth in our district.”
Longoria, a 1973 Mission High School graduate, received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Pan American University. He was part owner of Camargo Brick Company, and Texas Brick and Stone Company, the family’s brick manufacturing business in Rio Grande City.
He started his own insurance agency in 1998, Raymond Longoria Insurance, which currently services over 5,500 customers. He diversified his business to create Sharyland Mortgage Inc., a financial service company. He is part owner of “L” Development LLP, a property management company.
Longoria has been active in the community, serving as Mission Lions Club president from 1992 to 1993. He was a member of the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and also was a board member for the Hidalgo County Private Industry Council in 1998-1999. He also is a member of the Independent Insurance Agents Association of Texas and the Texas Association of Mortgage Brokers.
Longoria has been involved with site-based committees at both Kenneth White Junior High and Mission Junior High. He continues to support youth through various sponsorships for the Mission Boys and Girls Club, FFA and 4-H Organizations. He is an advocate of school leadership and sports organizations and was one of the founding members of the Mission Touchdown Club and Veterans Memorial Booster Club.
“I am proud to have played a leadership role in helping our district increase our student academic achievement. Much work still needs to be done to continue our successes. I stand ready to work with our other board members to continually provide our staff and students the best facilities and educational learning environment within our resources,” he said.
“I am particularly excited about the favorable direction the district has been headed towards while I have been in the board. The community has supported the district by passing two bond issues, which have allowed our district to keep up with our growth. I look forward to re-election and ask the voters of our district for their continued support and prayers.”
Longoria is the son of Aurora H. Longoria and the late Jose S. Longoria. He is married to Edna Salazar Longoria, a former educator, who is originally from Lasara, Texas. They have two daughters, Stephanie Anne, a junior at University of Texas-Pan American, and Stacie Elaine, a senior at Veterans Memorial High School. Longoria and his family are members of St. Paul’s Catholic Church.