Leadership Visit to Northern Ports

Tigua Inc. was honored to visit seven northern U.S. land ports of entry serving the Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection. Our CEO, Dr. Lonny Wright, and COO, Dr. Amanda Sanchez, spent several days on the ground-engaging directly with our customer, the dedicated technicians, and local teams who work around the clock to keep these critical facilities running. Their unwavering commitment to excellence is a daily reminder of Tigua Inc.'s core values, integrity, collaboration, and world-class service delivery. By bringing corporate leadership face-to-face with our field professionals, we strengthen communication, share best practices, and ensure continuous learning at very level.

‍

Ports of Entry Visited:

• Del Bonita, MT
• Sweetgrass, MT
• Whitfield, MT
• Willow Creek, MT
• Wild Horse, MT
• Morgan, MT
• Scobey, MT

We thank every team member for their hard work and hospitality. Together, we'll continue to innovate and deliver on our promise of exceptional service to those who safeguard our borders.

Meeting Rep. Veronica Escobar and Rep. Benjamin Gonzalez

Tigua Inc. had the pleasure of meeting with Representatives Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) and Benjamin Gonzalez (R-Texas) in Washington, D.C., to urge the preservation of the SBA 8(a) program.

Having delivered tens of millions in aid to the Tigua Tribe, Congresswoman Escobar continues to rally bipartisan support against reductions to Medicaid, SNAP, and essential contracts. Representative Gonzalez reaffirmed his commitment to sustainable funding for our region.

Meeting Rep. Veronica Escobar and Rep. Benjamin Gonzalez

In partnership with NACA, we highlighted key legislative measures designed to counter these budgetary impacts:

• A “Tribes Are Not DEI” bill to affirm sovereign economic identity
• $5 million in additional SBA funding for Tribal businesses
• $35 million for the DoD Indian Incentive Program, with the potential to unlock $500 million in economic growth

Tigua Inc. has established a permanent presence in D.C. to sustain this advocacy. We welcome collaborators and stakeholders to join us in protecting tribal economic stability and the well-being of the El Paso community.

Supporting DoD initiatives

Tigua Inc. was proud to contribute to a transformative experience for future Special Operations candidates through a collaborative engagement led by the Special Operations Recruiting Battalion (SORB) at Fort Bliss, TX.

As part of a multi-week training initiative, our very own veteran and retired Green Beret, CSM (R) Jose Lebron-Camacho, joined distinguished peers LTC (R) Steve Franzoni and MSG (R) Pete Peral—current and former presidents of Special Forces Association Chapter 9—to share valuable insights from their operational and leadership experiences.

Their collective mentorship offered candidates a powerful glimpse into the demands and culture of Psychological Operations, Civil Affairs, and the Special Forces selection process.

At Tigua Inc., we honor service and believe in cultivating leadership through experience, connection, and mission-driven support. Let’s continue building strong bridges between organizations, veterans, and future leaders.

USNO recognition in Northern Ireland

Tigua Inc. had the honor and privilege of having two of its employees — Alexandra Boelhouwer and Richard Schmidt from the United States Naval Observatory — recognized and honored at the 13th International Conference on the Inspiration of Astronomical Phenomena (INSAP XIII) for the following works:

Scientific Discovery through Astronomical Illustration: A Visual History of the Ring Nebula
Alexandra Boelhouwer (United States Naval Observatory)

“The Stars Drew Near”: The Life of Georg Simon Plössl (1794–1868)
Richard Schmidt (U.S. Naval Observatory, Washington, DC)

INSAP XIII is the 13th International Conference on the Inspiration of Astronomical Phenomena, which took place on June 8–13, 2025, at Queen’s University Belfast. The theme for this edition is “Celestial Connections Across Time and Space.”

⸻

INSAP Purpose & Vision

INSAP brings together scientists, artists, historians, philosophers, and writers to explore how celestial phenomena—stars, planets, and cosmic events—have inspired human thought, creativity, and culture across time. It is a unique interdisciplinary space where astronomy meets the arts and humanities.

New D.C. Operations Office

We are proud to announce a significant milestone in Tigua’s continued journey of growth and service: the signing of a lease for our newest office space in Fairfax, Virginia. This marks the organization’s first official presence in the heart of the federal contracting market—a strategic step that positions us to expand our impact and further our mission in the eastern United States.

The Fairfax office represents more than just a geographic expansion; it is a meaningful investment in building new relationships and deepening partnerships with like-minded, value-driven organizations in the region. While the space is modest to start, it serves as a foundation for future opportunities—a launch point for greater influence, collaboration, and success. With the lease now signed, we anticipate being fully operational by November.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Tigua Board and Tribal Council for their unwavering confidence and steadfast dedication—not only to the employees of Tigua but also to the enduring vision of prosperity and a better future for the Tigua Nation.

This move is a testament to what can be achieved through strategic planning, shared purpose, and community-rooted leadership. Here’s to new beginnings, stronger partnerships, and a bold step forward.

New D.C. Operations Office

We are proud to announce a significant milestone in Tigua’s continued journey of growth and service: the signing of a lease for our newest office space in Fairfax, Virginia. This marks the organization’s first official presence in the heart of the federal contracting market—a strategic step that positions us to expand our impact and further our mission in the eastern United States.

The Fairfax office represents more than just a geographic expansion; it is a meaningful investment in building new relationships and deepening partnerships with like-minded, value-driven organizations in the region. While the space is modest to start, it serves as a foundation for future opportunities—a launch point for greater influence, collaboration, and success. With the lease now signed, we anticipate being fully operational by November.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the Tigua Board and Tribal Council for their unwavering confidence and steadfast dedication—not only to the employees of Tigua but also to the enduring vision of prosperity and a better future for the Tigua Nation.

This move is a testament to what can be achieved through strategic planning, shared purpose, and community-rooted leadership. Here’s to new beginnings, stronger partnerships, and a bold step forward.

How did you get started in this line of work?

I got started in training at Dish Network during COVID. I was training new employees on how to complete manufacturing processes. I’ve always loved being able to train employees on anything while continuing to expand my own knowledge.

What motivated you to join our company?

What motivated me was the people. I knew from the start that this company was great, and it felt like a family from day one.

Who has been a big influence or mentor in your career?

My biggest influence has been my family. I know a lot of people say that; however, for me, I wanted to give my wife a life she never had, and that has always motivated me to be better. It also helps that she tells me to keep going even on the hard days.

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve ever received?

The best and simplest piece of advice I ever got was: “You already have the ‘No’—go relax and get the ‘Yes.’” It was their way of telling me that anything is possible if you just apply or try.