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.

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.

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.

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.