The Strategic Alliance for Leadership and Social Action (SALSA) announced the 2024 class of Mexicano Trailblazers of Brownwood. SALSA President, Raul Martinez, said “This year’s recipients of our Trailblazers award are truly extraordinary individuals. They all excelled in their respective fields, represented Brownwood admirably, and are a source of pride to the Mexican American community. They are:

Dr. Joseph C. Ballejo – first Mexicano from Brownwood to earn a Ph.D.; he graduated from Howard Payne College and earned advanced degrees at Michigan State University; he served in the Marine Corps and was honorably discharged; he was the Director of Languages at Wayland Baptist College and a Visiting Professor at Purdue University.

Rodolfo “Rudy” Camacho – first Mexicano from Brownwood to become a federal employee; in his career with the U.S. Postal Service, he rose to the rank of Regional Inspector; a graduate of Brownwood High School, he served in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged; he attended Howard Payne College and Texas Christian University; he was President of the Mexican Baptist Convention of Texas; served on the Board of Trustees of the Mexican Bible Institute and as a member of the Howard Payne University Board of Trustees.

Leroy Joseph DeAnda – first Mexicano to attend college on a football scholarship; after an outstanding high school career at Brownwood High School, where he lettered for three years and earned All-District honors, he was an outstanding defensive player and the second leading rusher on the championship team; he was also a member of the State champions four-man mile relay team; he graduated from Texas A&I University and earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of Texas San Antonio.

Felix F. Salazar – first Mexicano Law Enforcement Officer; he served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was honorably discharged; he served in the Brownwood Police Department, Criminal Investigations Division, from 1960-1992; he later worked as a Notary Public helping people with their legal documents.

The 2024 Class of Mexicano Trailblazers of Brownwood will be honored at the Depot during SALSA’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at 5pm, Saturday, September 28, 2024.