Mario Lizcano was born in McAllen, Texas, grew up in Pharr, Texas and graduated from Pharr-San Juan- Alamo High School in 1987. Mario attended the University of Texas Pan American in Edinburg, Texas and the University of Texas – San Antonio. Mario holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in Marketing and a minor in Biology/Chemistry.
Mario served as a Volunteer Firefighter with the rank of Rescue Captain for the Mission Fire Department for 15 years. Mario has also been a volunteer firefighter in the city of Pharr and Palmview, Texas with a combined volunteer fire service of over 20 years. Mario Lizcano served as the President for the Rio Grande Valley Firefighters and Fire Marshals Association (representing Fire Departments from Brownsville to Zapata) for six years. Mario was a certified Emergency Medical Technician through the Texas Department of Health and serves as an instructor for the Texas Extension Service from Texas A&M Fire Schools. Mario Lizcano was named the Diplomat of the Year by the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce and has been recognized by local organizations, schools, and clubs for his relentless efforts in the community. Mario Lizcano is presently serves as the Volunteer Administration Liaison for the City of Mission Police Department and as a Civil Service Commissioner for the City of Pharr as an advocate for public servants.
Mario Lizcano has been named the Volunteer Fire Fighter of the Year for the City of Mission twice in his career and has been honored as the Firefighter of the Year for the Rio Grande Valley chosen by all local fire departments from Roma to Brownsville for his efforts in fire protection and fire prevention. Mario Lizcano has been named the Runner-Up for the Firefighter of the Year for the State of Texas (competing with all Fire Departments from all over the State of Texas representing over 20,000 firefighters).
For his efforts in obtaining lifesaving devices (AED defibrillators) for surrounding rural fire departments through a federal grant, Mario Lizcano was recognized by the American Heart Association and a research grant has been named in his honor at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.
Mario Lizcano has participated in countless hours of community service in promoting and bringing awareness to the importance of health care, education and community service. Mario Lizcano has been recognized by his organization Doctors Hospital at Renaissance Healthcare System for exemplary volunteer community service hours and is honored to be employed as the Administrator of Corporate Affairs.
Mario Lizcano believes in serving others and is known for running in a 5k in full firefighter gear to raise money for others. Mario has helped and volunteered in over 500 events throughout the Rio Grande Valley and the State of Texas.
Mario Lizcano is the founding Chairman of the Board for the Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce and has recently founded the City of Pharr Economic Development Corporation Foundation to promote economic development, financial literacy and workforce training for the region. Mario Lizcano is the incoming Board Chairman of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce beginning October 2022.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT – PRESENT BOARD MEMBER
UTRGV Athletic Council - Member
United Blood Services - Community Leadership Council Member
Pharr Economic Development - Board Member
City of Pharr - Civil Service - Vice- Chairman, Board Member
City of Pharr – Golf Advisory Committee - Board Member
Pharr Housing Authority - Vice-Chairman, Commissioner, President
Greater Pharr Chamber of Commerce - Chairman of the Board
Edinburg Chamber of Commerce - Board Member – Vice President of Public Affairs
Hidalgo County Health Services - Board Member
Guns and Hoses - Board Member
La Joya ISD Health Careers High School - Advisory Board Member
AACT – Advocacy Alliance Center of Texas – Ambassador
PSJA ISD C.A.T.E. Committee - Club Vice President
City of Edinburg Census Committee - Chairman
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT – PAST BOARD MEMBER
Hope Family Health Center - Vice- Chairman, Board Member
University of Texas Pan American Athletic Fund Board - Board President
CASA of Hidalgo County - Board Member
Comfort House - Board Member
ACE Club – Assisting and Caring for Everyone Club - Member
American Heart Association RGV Chapter - Board Member
Rio Grande Valley Partnership - Board Member
Mission Chamber of Commerce - Board Member
Mission Boys and Girls Club - Board President
RGV Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - Board Member
Children's Advocacy Center - Estrella's House – Founding Board Member
Mission Lions Club - Club President
Rio Grande Valley Fire Fighters and Fire Marshals Association - Board President
Mission Volunteer Fire Department - Volunteer Firefighter / Rescue Captain
Pharr Volunteer Fire Department - Volunteer Firefighter
Palmview Volunteer Fire Department - Volunteer Firefighter / Fire Instructor
PSJA ISD C.A.T.E. Committee - Club Past President
McAllen ISD Education Foundation – Advisory Board Member
City of Mission Ambulance Committee - Board Member
Easter Seals Society - Board Member
Teach for America - Board Member
RGV Partnership - Leadership Class I
Pharr Leadership Program
Mission Leadership Program
Edinburg Leadership Program