EL PASO - Today, August 20 - August 23, 2009 at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas Senator Eliot Shapleigh (D- El Paso) and United Way of El Paso County's Young Leaders Society will host El Paso's Young Professionals Capitol Retreat. Leaders will gain valuable skills that will inspire them to return and continue to be great leaders for the El Paso community.

The retreat will present young leaders an opportunity to learn about innovations in solar energy, high speed light rail, downtown economic development infrastructure, great universities, health care policy, medical policy, to help build the vision for El Paso 2020. They will network with each other, learn from leaders around the state, listen to innovators in industries of the future, and bike ride through downtown Austin to gather ideas and develop friendships for a new generation.

"I'm excited to be given the opportunity to meet other young emerging leaders of El Paso that have the same goals as I do. I believe we are going to learn from this experience and bring back a new insight to work together to build a stronger community," said Myndi Luevano, Assistant Marketing Director for UTEP Athletics.

The leadership retreat will feature guest speakers Representatives Carol Alvarado (D -Harris), Mark Strama (D - Travis), Joe Moody (D - El Paso), Marissa Marquez (D - El Paso), Mayor Bill White (D - Houston), Austin's Downtown Chief Officer Michael Knox, United Way Senior Vice President Jason Sabo, Austin Chronicle Journalist Wells Dunbar, Capitol Metropolitan Transportation Authority Data Analyst Lyndon Henry, and Director of Environment Texas Luke Metzger.

"Bringing great talent together to dream, unite and lead is what drives great communities to succeed."

In addition, Senator Shapleigh and United Way of El Paso County's Young Leaders Society would like to thank the following local businesses and individuals for their support.

• El Paso Electric
• Texas Gas Services Company
• Black El Paso Democrats
• TVO Development
• United Way
• Student Development Center, The University of Texas at El Paso