Banco Popular de Puerto Rico

An accomplished lawyer with 20 years of experience, Barron's principal areas of practice are public finance, urban infrastructure and transportation development, state legislative matters, and public/private partnerships. He has significant municipal finance and public law experience in various areas, including traditional municipal finance, tax increment financing, urban infrastructure and redevelopment, and structuring public/private joint ventures. His public finance practice consists of serving as bond counsel for cities, counties, state agencies, and special districts, including local government corporations. In addition to bond counsel engagements, he also represents national and regional investment banking firms as underwriters counsel in bond and interest rate swap transactions. Barron also serves as general counsel to conduit bond issuers, tax increment reinvestment zones, local government corporations, municipal management districts, and certain not-for-profit corporations. Barron has recently focused his efforts on creating innovative financing opportunities for affordable housing and urban development.As a result of his work, Barron has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® as a leader in public finance law since 2006.

As the executive administrator of the Texas Water Development Board (TWDB), Mr. Ward serves as the chief executive officer of a state agency employing over 300 scientists, engineers, lawyers, GIS professionals, finance officers, and related support staff. Under the direction of a six-member board appointed by the governor, the TWDB is responsible for planning the statewide development of water resources, financing water-related infrastructure, and maintaining and disseminating natural resource data for Texas, which includes water-bearing formations and watersheds. Mr. Ward was appointed to his current position in May 2002.Since 1997, the TWDB has coordinated with the state’s 16 planning regions to produce a state water plan every five years, which guides the development and use of water supplies for Texas for the ensuing 50 year period. The TWDB also administers several significant financial assistance programs. The Economically Distressed Areas Program provides grants for first-time water and sewer service to impoverished areas of the state. The Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds use a combination of Environmental Protection Agency capitalization grants and state match bonds to provide low-interest loans for water quality and water supply projects to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. The Water Infrastructure Fund provides low-interest and deferred-interest loans for preconstruction and construction costs of major water supply projects included in the state water plan. In addition, the TWDB administers significant science programs, which include collecting data, developing empirical volumetric models for groundwater formations, and determining environmental flow needs of significant stream segments and bays and estuaries. The TWDB purchases digital aerial orthoimagery and LIDAR to maintain the Strategic Mapping System dataset and to assist in floodplain mapping for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Mr. Ward serves on the board of the Council of Infrastructure Financing Authorities (CIFA) and was an active participant on the State/Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) State Revolving Fund workgroup several years ago for implementing the Clean and Drinking Water SRF programs. He was also the presiding officer on the Water Conservation Implementation Task Force, created through Senate Bill 1094, 78th Texas Legislature, which produced the Report to the 79th Legislature and the Best Management Practices Guide to encourage increased use of conservation throughout the state. Mr. Ward served on the Advisory Committee of the Caroline and William N. Lehrer Distinguished Chair in Water Engineering, established by the Agriculture Program and the Agricultural Engineering Department of Texas A&M University, which selected the first Water Resources Engineering professor in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering.During his 21-year tenure with the TWDB, he has served in several capacities, including financial analyst, finance section chief, and development fund manager. He served in various management positions in the agency, specializing in the development and implementation of the financial aspects of the TWDB’s State Revolving Fund loan programs. From March 1996 to April 2002, Mr. Ward served as the TWDB’s deputy executive administrator for the Office of Project Finance and Construction Assistance. Immediately prior to joining the TWDB, Mr. Ward was an officer and controller for two management consulting firms in Austin, both serving a client base of water and wastewater municipal utility districts and water supply corporations.Mr. Ward received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin in 1982.

Susan Combs was elected Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts in November 2006 and immediately set an innovative course of action to transform state government and prepare Texas for the future beginning her first day in office on Jan. 1, 2007.As Comptroller, Combs is the state’s chief financial officer. She manages the state’s treasury operations to monitor Texas’ fiscal health, guides legislative decision makers by estimating state revenues and ensures state taxes are collected fairly and efficiently to fund vital programs and services for the people of Texas. But her focus does not end there.With a belief that government must be fully accountable to the people it serves, Combs has spearheaded unprecedented efforts to give taxpayers a transparent look at how their dollars are spent. She posted the expenses of the Comptroller’s office online her third day on the job. She next took transparency in government spending to new heights by launching the Where the Money Goes Web site. Considered a model by many other states and open government advocates, the site features a virtual check register that gives the public online access to detailed and up-to-date state expenditure information for all state entities.Combs is committed to ensuring that government works as efficiently as possible. Under her leadership, the Comptroller’s office has assessed and implemented a sweeping range of business process improvements projected to save nearly $8 million by the end of 2009 to reinvest in meeting increased demand for services. Combs is also directing a comprehensive study of ways to integrate data across Texas state government to make processes and systems more cohesive, standardized and efficient.Efficiency means better customer service, and Combs has set a standard of excellence for the Comptroller’s office. Direct customer feedback guides improvements at every level, from an ongoing effort to simplify forms and publications to the award-winning redesign of the agency’s Web site to ensure citizens have the fastest access to the information they need.Combs is focused on the future of Texas as well. She has released several vital reports on statewide trends, including Texas in Focus: A Statewide View of Opportunities to look at issues affecting economic growth across the state and The Energy Report, the first of its kind in the nation, to provide a comprehensive assessment of Texas energy options to guide future decisions.Combs also expanded the duties of the Comptroller’s local government assistance division to include economic development and launched the Texas Ahead Web site at www.texasahead.org in May 2008 as a one-stop portal to give businesses, global partners and local governments a wealth of economic development tools and resources. Key among these is the Texas EDGE Data Center that puts key economic development information at users’ fingertips.Because the Texas of tomorrow relies on an educated work force, Combs established the Educational Opportunities and Investment Division at the Comptroller’s office in 2008 to oversee the Texas College Savings Plan and the new prepaid tuition program, the Texas Tuition Promise Fund. Combs believes in every chance for every Texan to succeed by providing the tools to help fund the education needed for skilled, high-paying positions. Combs’ vision for the future drives the efforts of the Comptroller’s office to support a prosperous Texas.As Comptroller, Combs was one of only three women named to Government Technology’s 2009 list of the Top 25 “Doers, Dreamers and Drivers,” recognizing leaders who use technology to solve problems, meet evolving expectations and operate more efficient government operations. In recognizing the demand for improved services, Combs’ efforts to reengineer the Comptroller’s office propelled the state to analyze expenses and use electronic tools to offer a transparent look at government spending. She brought the agency into the 21st century, and by leading the charge with transparency, she’s now helping other state agencies and local governments open their books and identify ways to spend smarter.Combs won the Realtor Legacy Award for demonstrating the highest level of leadership support to Texas property owners and the Trailblazer Award from the Independent Bankers Association of Texas for support of the independent community banking industry. She has also received wide recognition for her work in the fight against obesity. Combs won the inaugural Leadership Award in Obesity Prevention in 2008 from The Michael & Susan Dell Center for the Advancement of Healthy Living. And in March 2006, while working as the Texas Agriculture Commissioner, the American Medical Association presented Combs with the Dr. Nathan Davis Award for Outstanding Government Service, the highest award the AMA can bestow on a public official, for her leadership in tackling the state’s obesity crisis and championing a groundbreaking public school nutrition policy to address it.Combs won back-to-back elections in 1998 and 2002 to serve as Texas Agriculture Commissioner, taking the reins as the first woman elected to the office. She re-engineered the Texas Department of Agriculture for greater efficiency and lowered the agency’s budget by 18 percent without reducing essential services. She trimmed staff while taking on more responsibility to boost economic development, ignite revitalization, promote Texas products through the unified GO TEXAN marketing campaign and ensure Texas schoolchildren had access to healthy food by launching one of the nation’s strongest school nutrition policies.Combs also served two terms in the Texas House of Representatives, where she successfully sponsored and passed the state’s landmark private property rights legislation and authored legislation on tort reform vital to the state’s business community.Combs graduated from Vassar College and worked in international advertising in New York, in the financial markets on Wall Street and for the federal government before returning to Texas to obtain her law degree from the University of Texas School of Law. After graduation, Combs served as an assistant district attorney in Dallas, handling child abuse cases, where her performance as a tough prosecutor earned her widespread respect.Combs was born in San Antonio and has a ranching operation in Brewster County on the same ranch owned by her great-grandfather more than a century ago. She lives in Austin with her husband, Joe, and is the proud mother of three sons.

Evan Smith spent nearly 18 years at TEXAS MONTHLY, stepping down in August 2009 as the magazine's president and editor in chief. Previously he served as editor for more than eight years—only the third person to hold that title. On his watch, TEXAS MONTHLY was nominated for sixteen National Magazine Awards, the magazine industry's equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize, and twice was awarded the National Magazine Award for General Excellence. A New York native, Smith has a bachelor's degree in public policy from Hamilton College (Clinton, New York) and a master's degree in journalism from the Medill School at Northwestern University (Evanston, Illinois). He previously held editorial positions at a number of national magazines; most recently at The New Republic, where he was deputy editor. He hosts a weekly interview program, TEXAS MONTHLY TALKS, that has aired on PBS stations all across Texas since 2003, and he is an occasional guest on numerous TV and radio shows. Smith sits on the boards of the Austin Film Society, Trinity Episcopal School, the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University, the Headliners Club, and Matinee Media. He is also the founding co-chair of the Texas Film Hall of Fame. In 2005, in recognition of his contributions to Austin and Texas, Smith was named Austinite of the Year Under 40 by the Young Men's Business League and Young Women's Business League. In 2006, he was inducted into the Medill School of Journalism Hall of Achievement.

Brad Dinsmore is Head of Retail Banking for Citi’s North America Consumer Banking Business. In this role, he is responsible for Regional Banking, Branch Services, distribution strategy, sales and regional marketing development and performance measurement. Brad joined Citi in March 2009. Brad joined Citi after a twenty-one year career at Bank of America, where he was responsible for Retail Banking in the Western United States. In this role, he led the turnaround of 2,000 branches, achieving consistent growth and exceeding sales, service, operations and expense objectives. While at Bank of America, Brad held a number of senior retail bank management positions across Consumer and Small Business Banking, Wealth Management and Marketing, including Head of Consumer and Mortgage banking operations in the Southeast from 2001 to 2005. During his tenure, Brad is credited with dramatically improving the efficiency, productivity and performance of the West and Southeast regions, leading a national initiative that improved customer service and satisfaction across the branch network and launching a comprehensive direct-to-consumer mortgage strategy and nationwide sales initiative that delivered consistent double-digit year over year growth. Prior to joining Bank of America, he was a Financial Advisor and Financial Analyst. Currently, Brad serves as Corporate Chair for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Southern California’s Walk to Cure Diabetes. He has also served on the Boards of Junior Achievement Southern California, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, the Southern California United Way and the University of California Irvine’s CEO Roundtable. Brad received his B.S. from California Polytechnic State University and is a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington.

Mr. Farley joined Wells Fargo Securities in August 2009 as co-head of the Southwest Public Finance Group.  He brings over 27 years of investment banking experience to the firm.  Mr. Farley has served in a variety of senior positions at several major firms, including, but not limited to, Texas Public Finance manager, National Infrastructure Group manager, and Quantitative Services Group manager.  Mr. Farley has extensive experience with the issuance of fixed and variable rate debt for a wide variety of Texas higher education, utility, general banking and transportation issuers.  He has served as senior banker on over $15 billion of large, complex transactions for such prominent Texas issuers as the Texas Department of Transportation, the University of Texas System, the City of Austin, City Public Service of San Antonio, San Antonio Water System, the City of San Antonio, the City of Houston Water and Sewer program, Texas Public Finance Authority, Harris County, and the Lower Colorado River Authority.Mr. Farley is a member of the New York State Bar and received an A.B. from Boston College and a J.D. from Harvard Law School.  He holds FINRA Series 7, 53, and 63 licenses.

James E. Pass is a Managing Director and Municipals Portfolio Manager at Guggenheim Partners. Mr. Pass joined Guggenheim Partners in May 2009 and is responsible for the research, development and implementation of the firm’s strategy involving municipal obligations. He has more than 25 years of experience in the municipal sector, most recently focusing on Build America Bonds, Qualified School Construction Bonds, and other debt programs established by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. In addition, he is a member of the portfolio management team in connection with the Guggenheim Build America Bonds Managed Duration Trust, a closed end fund. Previously, Mr. Pass was a Managing Director at RBC Capital Markets where he managed the Firm's Midwest Region. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1986.

Jesus Amezcua has been the Department’s Assistant Superintendent for Business Services since 2008 and he oversees the financial management, investment management, debt management, procurement, compliance, tax collections, accounts receivable, accounts payable and payroll departments in the Business Services Division. Under his leadership, the Department recently secured over $8 million in Quality Zone (QZAB) Academy credit bonds. Mr. Amezcua also coordinated the creation of the School Finance Council to provide professional development opportunities, sharing of ideas and networking opportunities for business managers in Harris County.Previous to HCDE, Mr. Amezcua worked for Laredo Independent School District as the Chief Finance Officer for 12 years where he was responsible for the management of the business operations of the district including Accounting, Investments, Accounts Payable, Payroll, Budget, Purchasing, Tax Office, Risk, Compliance, Debt, Transportation, Food Services, and Construction and Facilities. In fiscal year 2005-2006, he served as Interim Superintendent for the Laredo ISD. He was further responsible for the management of the Investment Portfolio of $201 +million, managed Debt totaling $311+ million and a Budget of $317+ million.He coordinated the analysis, presentation, and implementation of the largest Bond Election ($144 million) for the school district, the Public Facility Corporation for a bond issue of $68 Million, and the Bond Elections of $60 Million and $57 Million bond series.Prior to Laredo ISD, Mr. Amezcua worked for the City of Laredo where he was responsible for overseeing 6 divisions in the Finance Department including Accounting, Accounts Payable, Ambulance, Budget, Data Processing & Purchasing. He managed a $120+ million investment portfolio, legal debt and assets of the city. During his tenure with the city, he also served as Revenue Manager, Internal Auditor, and Staff Accountant.

Mr. Jack has over 16 years of experience in the structuring and issuance of debt obligations for political entities in Texas and the U.S. While serving as financial advisor or underwriter, Mr. Jack has managed or supported the bond issuance process for over $15 billion in debt obligations. Prior to Estrada Hinojosa, Mr. Jack worked for JPMorgan, Public Financial Management and Citigroup.�Mr. Jack’s public finance experience includes a variety of public projects including: general city infrastructure, water and sewer systems, convention centers, stadiums and arenas, public utility systems, school districts, universities, airports, hospitals and economic development projects. Clients have included: Cities: New York, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Oklahoma City, Arlington; Transportation: TxDOT; North Texas Tollway Authority (TTA); Harris County Toll Road Authority; DFW Airport; Laredo International Bridge Authority, Cintra-Zachry; Public Power: Austin Energy; San Antonio CPS; Duke Energy; Turlock Irrigation District, CA; Grand River Dam Authority, OK; Higher Education: University of Texas System; Texas A&M University System; University of Texas Tech; Abilene Christian University; Primary Education: Austin ISD; San Antonio ISD; North Side ISD; Arlington ISD; Fort Worth ISD; Health Care: Advocate Health Care Network, IL; Dallas-Ft Worth Medical Center, TX; State Agencies: Texas Public Finance Authority; Texas Water Development Board; Michigan State Building Authority;Mr. Jack has a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Texas’ LBJ School of Public Affairs. Prior to his public finance career, Mr. Jack also served as an officer in the United States Navy.