Janie Barrera appointed to Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas’ San Antonio Branch Board

Janie Barrera, founding president and CEO of ACCION Texas, Inc., has been appointed to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas’ San Antonio Branch board of directors.

Barrera’s appointment is a three-year term ending Dec. 31, 2014. She will give input into regional economic conditions as part of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy functions.

Before creating ACCION Texas, Barrera served as marketing division chief for the U.S. Air Force’s Morale, Welfare, Recreation and Services Agency. She also has served on the Federal Reserve Board’s Consumer Advisory Council. Barrera is a Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi graduate and holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of the Incarnate Word.

Since it was established in 1994 in San Antonio, the nonprofit ACCION Texas Inc. has provided small loans and training to micro and small businesses in Texas, Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee. Since its start, ACCION has given $116 million in loans, including $28 million in the San Antonio area.

Barrera has received numerous honors, including:

• 1997 Presidential Award for Excellence in Microenterprise Development
• American Banker Innovator Award
• San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Economic Empowerment Award
• San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame
• Small Business Administration Financial Services Advocate of the Year