2019
Andres Balderas, CC Winn High School, Eagle Pass
Migrant Today, Leader Tomorrow
2025 AMET Conference
Hyatt Regency Baytown - Houston
Baytown, Texas
November 18 - 20, 2025
"Plan with Purpose: Harvest Success"
Keynote Speakers
Dr. José Luis Zelaya
Dr. Jose Luis Zelaya, born in 1987, is married to Katerin Meza. They are
parents to Amaris, Amael and Amaryllis. Dr. Zelaya was born in San Pedro
de Sula, Honduras. He lived as a street child among rampant violence and
extreme poverty. At 13 years of age, he embarked on a journey to the United
States to reunify with his family in Houston, Texas. With the help of his mother, in the year 2001, he enrolled in the 7th
grade and started to build a new life in the United States of America.
In 2006, Dr. Zelaya became the first in his family to graduate from high
school. As a first generation graduate, he enrolled in Lone Star Community
College and obtained an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts. He then
transferred to the Department of Education and Human Development at
Texas A&M University in College Station where he completed an
undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, a Masters in Curriculum
and Instruction specializing in ESL, as well as a Ph. D. in Urban Education.
Dr. Zelaya attributes his academic achievements to the great sacrifices of his
family, educators, mentors, ganas to succeed in life, systems of support and
the overall community who empowered him to thrive academically . In his
story, he shares how the generational power of higher education positively
impacted his life and family.
GERONIMO M. RODRIGUEZ JR.
Geronimo retired early in January 2025. He previously served as Chief Advocacy Officer for Ascension Texas, part of Ascension, one of the leading non-profit and Catholic healthcare systems in the United States. He was responsible for Ascension Texas’ Advocacy, Community Investment, Human Trafficking, Hospital Based Violence Intervention, and Medical Response Unit. He joined Ascension Texas in June 2006 to expand and institutionalize efforts across the healthcare system in the areas of diversity, inclusion, cultural competence, federal contract compliance, workforce development and civic engagement.
Mr. Rodriguez currently serves on the St. Edward’s University Board of Trustees, Austin Community Foundation Board of Governors, the Hector and Gloria Lopez Foundation, the Excelencia in Education Board, the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce Board, and the Ann Richards School Foundation. He is also a Member of the Austin Area Research Organization, Member of the Subiendo Academy for Rising Leaders Advisory Council, and is an alumni of the Texas Lyceum, the Lola Wright Foundation and the FBI Citizens Academy. Finally, he served as President of the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees, is a Past Chair of the Greater Austin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Past Chair of the Leadership Austin Board of Directors, served two years as a Board Member of the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA), a Member of the National PTA Resolutions Committee, former Board Member of Austin PBS, the local public television station, former Board Member of the Impact Center, and served as a member of the Seton Board of Trustees’ Justice in the Workplace Committee. Mr. Rodriguez served in the White House Office of Congressional Affairs where he helped in legislative preparations for the Seattle Round of the World Trade Organization. In addition, he served as Deputy Associate Director and later Acting Associate Director in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel where he was responsible for recommending a third of the President’s senior level appointments. He was also responsible for advising senior White House staff on appointments affecting the Hispanic community. Mr. Rodriguez also served in the US Department of Labor as Counsel to the Solicitor, helping oversee US labor and employment laws and Chief of Staff to the Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs, helping support key relationships with federal, state and local officials.
Mr. Rodriguez, a native of Alamo, Texas, graduated from St. Edward’s University with a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, where he received a four year academic scholarship and a College Assistance Migrant Program Scholarship. He served as Student Body President of St. Edward’s University. Mr. Rodriguez also attended the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University as a Woodrow Wilson Fellow and received his law degree from the University of Texas School of Law.
As a child, Mr. Rodriguez spent eight months a year as a migrant farmworker traveling with his parents from South Texas to the Northwest United States following the harvest seasons. His parents continue to harvest crops in Oregon and Mr. Rodriguez joins them annually for a week.