Born and raised in Laredo, AJ graduated from J.B. Alexander High School’s Magnet Program for Health and Sciences in 2004. He went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in finance from Mays Business School at Texas A&M University in College Station and his J.D. from St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio.

During his time in law school, AJ became familiar with the city’s iconic Fiesta celebration, as the annual Oyster Bake, which raises scholarship funds for St. Mary’s, took place on campus every year. Unfortunately, the two-day festival of food (100,000 oysters!) and music always landed around finals time, so AJ was typically busy in the library, viewing the festivities from afar.

After graduating and passing the Texas Bar Exam in 2011, AJ joined Falcon International Bank’s in-house legal department as Corporate Counsel. Additionally, he serves as Falcon’s Chairman of the Board, where he enjoys the challenges and opportunities of leading the bank through governance and strategic changes.

“As a recipient of the Lamar Bruni Vergara Scholarship, which helped pay for tuition and fees at St. Mary’s School of Law, I know firsthand the difference that scholarships can make in a student’s life,” AJ says. “It’s an honor to serve as Laredo’s first Rey Feo and help make higher education more accessible to Laredo’s youth.”

AJ continues to live in Laredo with his wife, Caro and two young daughters, Amelie and Elina. They also have two dogs, Rosie and Owen. When he’s not spending time with his family, you can find AJ on the tennis court or much to Caro’s annoyance, by his refurbished koi pond.