Mr. Escudero joined the Board as an external member in 2020.  Edward Escudero is President and CEO of High Desert Capital, an El Paso-based small-business financing company.  He is also Vice Chairman of WestStar Bank, a $2 billion regional bank headquartered in El Paso. Until 2013, Mr. Escudero was Executive Vice President and CFO of C&R Distributing, a major distributor of fuel and lubricants and owner of various convenience stores in West Texas and Southern New Mexico. He also served as Secretary and CFO of Petro Stopping Centers, L.P. During his tenure at Petro, the Company grew to have locations in 34 states and sales of over $2 billion. While at Petro, he held the vital role of managing various departments within the Company, including Accounting, Legal, Human Resources, Audit, Financial Planning, and Information Systems. In 2007, Mr. Escudero was instrumental in assembling the sale of Petro.

Mr. Escudero has long been a supporter of the El Paso region via his participation on both corporate and nonprofit boards. He currently serves as Chairman of the El Paso Electric Company, and on the board of Flo Networks, the Medical Center of the Americas Foundation, the Hospitals of Providence Memorial & Sierra Campuses, the Paso del Norte Community Foundation, CREEED, El Paso Collaborative for Academic Excellence, Texas2036, the University of Texas at El Paso Business Advisory Council and Development Board, the Texas Business Leadership Council and The University of Texas Chancellor’s Council Executive Committee and Trellis Company (formerly Texas Guaranteed Student Loans).  He also served on the Texas State Securities Board from 2007-2011. Mr. Escudero has received several awards that recognize his achievements and philanthropic efforts, including the UTEP Distinguished Alumni in 2023, Lucy G. Acosta Humanitarian Award in 2020, the Community Spirit Award in 2015, El Paso Business Hall of Fame in 2014, Hispanos Triunfadores in 2013, and the UTEP Gold Nugget Award in 2012.