Meet the Team
Proprietor
Martie Vela
I’m Martie Garcia Vela, a proud FRONTeras girl from Garciasville, Texas. Born and raised on the Texas-Mexico border, I’m fluent in both Spanish and English and love writing poetry and fiction. I’ve lived all over Texas, but nothing compares to the peace of my little farm—complete with sheep, chickens, ducks, dogs, and birds singing beside the border wall. I’m a former prosecutor who fought for child victims and homicide cases, and now I serve as city attorney for several border communities. I’m passionate about development, water rights, and defending civil liberties in both state and federal courts. I also serve on nonprofit boards, offering pro bono services whenever I can. I’m a mom of two girls, and my husband and I love fishing, growing vegetables, traveling, and competition BBQ.
Luke 12:48 says it best: To whom much is given, much is expected.
Editor-in-Chief
Maria Santos Salinas
Maria Santos Salinas, Santitos to my friends. Born in Ciudad Miguel Alemán, Tamaulipas to parents from El Barrio-Aldamas, Nuevo León. Raised in Roma, Texas and I’m a proud Roma High School Gladiator. I attended UT-PanAm in 1993—before they slapped a new name on it. I got married, had two kids, struck out. Got married again, had another baby, and somehow built a life that feels just right. I’m a political junkie, Pride and Prejudice devotee, and firm believer that Texas is both beautiful and broken. I’ve got 18 goats, 16 sheep, three kids that drive me crazy (one autistic, all brilliant), and a house full of love, opinions, and sarcasm. I like books, puzzles, and Kdramas, and I think Jane Austen would've made a great political columnist. I’ve got $20 to my name—and honestly, I’ve never felt richer.
“I bury hatchets, but I keep maps of where I put ‘em.” – End Game by Taylor Swift
Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Writer
Janie Flores-Alvarez
Hi, I’m Janie, a proud native of Starr County, born and raised in the community that continues to shape who I am today. Like many Gen Xer's, I spent a significant part of my life in California while my family worked as migrants in the fields. Those years taught me the value of hard work, sacrifice, and staying grounded in faith and family—lessons that have stayed with me ever since.
Today, I’ve been married to my husband for 20 years, and together we’ve built a life centered on love, resilience, and gratitude. We are the modern blended family and parents of five children—three grown sons and our 15-year-old twins, a boy and a girl—who continue to inspire me every day.
I count my blessings daily for my husband, my children, and the journey life and home. It’s from this foundation of family, culture, and community that I share my voice with you.
"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." - Maya Angelou
Hello
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