Val LaMantia

Val LaMantia is recognized for her business leadership as a partner of a family-owned beverage distribution company, her service to the McAllen community and her role as a founding member of the STARS Scholarship Fund, which has awarded more than $38 million in scholarships since 2002, furthering education for nearly 20,000 students in South and West Texas. 

 A well-known entrepreneur, community leader and philanthropist in the Rio Grande Valley, Val has been an active member of the Texas business community for over 35 years. She is the first women to serve as a partner of L&F Distributors LLC and Favorite Brands. Both companies currently distribute throughout Texas and New Mexico and employ over 1,400 employees across more than 170 counties in both states.   

Over the years, Val has been committed to serving on many boards and organizations. She currently sits as a Trustee and Chair for the Center of Alcohol Policy, Board member of the National & Texas Beer Wholesalers Association, Governing Board Driscoll Children’s Hospital and Texas 2036.  

A major supporter of The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Val is a champion for improving one’s quality of life through education.  As chairperson of the Friends of Quinta Mazatlán Board of Directors, Val played a leadership role in creating new fundraising strategies for the $52 million development of the Center for Urban Ecology, which will become a premier research lab on urban ecological sciences and its application towards sustainable urban development. 

Val has been honored with several prestigious accolades including Texas Women’s Hall of Fame, McAllen Chamber Woman of the year, Hispanic Chamber Businesswoman of the Year South Texas Literacy Champion and Girl Scouts of Greater South Texas.