Laredo council introduces Maria Elsa Hinojosa as new bridge system director

The Laredo City Council introduced Maria Elsa Hinojosa on Tuesday as the city’s new bridge system director and heard her outline an early work plan that includes an organizational review and a proposed trade adviser position.

Why it matters: The bridge system is a major operational department in Laredo, a leading inland port for U.S.-Mexico trade. The director oversees day-to-day bridge operations, traffic flow and long-term trade strategies that affect the city’s economy and cross-border commerce.

Hinojosa, who the city presented as having more than 16 years of city experience, told the council she will begin a comprehensive evaluation of the bridge system’s organizational structure to align roles with long-term goals. "A key recommendation from this evaluation is the creation of a trade adviser position," she said, describing the role as a liaison between bridge operations, trade stakeholders and city leadership to improve real-time engagement and decision-making.

She also said the office will take a phased approach: stakeholder engagement, a pilot implementation and, if successful, full integration into bridge operations. Hinojosa said the bridge system employs nearly 200 people and called for cross-department coordination with economic development, CVB, airport and the port-of-entry advisory committee.

Council context: Mayor Dr. Victor D. Trevino congratulated Hinojosa and said Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Perez will conduct the March 5 meeting if he is absent. City officials noted Hinojosa’s background in municipal housing, community development and other city programs and that she holds a bachelor’s degree in finance and a certified public manager credential.

Next steps: Hinojosa said she expects to request council support for staffing and trade-related initiatives as items come forward. No formal vote was required to introduce the appointment at the meeting.