McAllen, TX (KRGV) — The McAllen Chamber of Commerce will honor Bob Vackar and Pattie Rosenlund as its 2026 Man and Woman of the Year and Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez with a Lifetime Achievement Award at its 71st Annual Man and Woman of the Year Gala, according to a news release.

Chamber officials said festivities begin at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 5, 2026, at the McAllen Convention Center. 

Vackar is a U.S. Army veteran, entrepreneur, philanthropist, chairman of the board, and chief performance officer with Bert Ogden Auto Group. 

The chamber said his work with Bert Ogden Auto Group helped the company represent many automotive brands and create more than 1,000 jobs in the region.

“It’s an honor,” Vackar said in a statement. “I really appreciate everybody who was involved in this decision. I am very honored, and very proud. When you’re doing philanthropic work, you never think about it. We do a lot with Easterseals, and I’m doing a lot with the college (UTRGV) now and a lot with the high school at Covenant Christian Academy.”

For the past 29 years, Rosenlund has worked at Easterseals Rio Grande Valley and moved from director of program services to executive director. 

The chamber said Rosenlund serves on the Texas governor’s Early Childhood Intervention Advisory Committee and the South Texas College Child Development and Early Childhood Department Advisory Committee. It said she supports inclusion, partnerships, and meaningful change.

“I am deeply grateful for this honor,” Rosenlund said. “While I am humbled by the recognition, I view it as a celebration of the incredible work being done across our community and by the dedicated team at Easterseals. It is a privilege to shine a light on the impact of Easterseals and our shared commitment to helping children and families thrive.”

Judge Cortez has served as Hidalgo County judge since 2018. He also served as McAllen mayor and later as a McAllen city commissioner.

The chamber said Cortez earned praise for his leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic and the county’s recovery after the pandemic. It said he has focused on veterans, mental health, economic development, and helping residents out of poverty.

“I am deeply humbled and honored to receive this Lifetime Achievement Award from the McAllen Chamber of Commerce,” Cortez said. “McAllen and the chamber have been an important part of my life and my journey of service for many years. To receive this recognition from an organization that has worked alongside so many people to strengthen this community is especially meaningful to me."

The Chamber reserves the Lifetime Achievement Award for occasions when a leader’s lifelong work has significantly impacted the community.

Watch the video above for more details on the upcoming gala.