Who is Tano Tijerina ?

Tano Tijerina was born and raised in Webb County to proud parents Rosalinda and Cayetano Tijerina. Both he and his brother Carlos were raised in a loving home where his parents worked hard and served their community as a teacher and paraprofessional. During his time in high school, Tano held jobs at HEB and a local fencing company while also beginning to pursue a career in baseball. He graduated from Nixon Highschool in 1992 and attended Navarro Junior College the following fall.

In the summer of 1993, Tano was drafted in the eighth round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. That same summer, Tano began dating his future wife Kimberly. They were soon engaged and then married in 1994. During off seasons, Tano spent his time overseeing the operations of the family ranch. He also continued the heritage of both his and his wife's families of working hard, long hours while still training for baseball. After Kimberly graduated from Baylor University, they moved back to Laredo and started a family.

Tano retired from baseball in 1997. Soon after, he began to focus on continuing his education and enrolled at TAMIU while continuing to work and raise a family. Tano also became very involved in his community and was honored to become a deacon and head usher at his church.

In 2002, Tano graduated from TAMIU. He came out of baseball retirement that same year and played one season in Edinburg, Texas. Deciding he would rather raise a family and run a business, Tano retired once more after a great season. After two years of retirement, he was honored to be inducted into the Latin Sports Hall of Fame in 2004. He also began mentoring young baseball players at the Freddy Benavides Baseball Academy, encouraging them to continue their education, be disciplined and work hard.

Tano became an integral part of the ranch business operations and joined the board of a newly formed family business. His duties were to help prepare annual budgets, manage and preserve the ranchland and oversee the cattle operations. Because of his great dedication and diligent efforts to preserving the land and wildlife in Webb County, he was given the 2006 Wildlife Conservationist of the Year by the Webb Soil and Water Conservation District. Also in 2006, Tano sponsored the first of two “Giving God the Glory” team roping events.

Over the years, Tano has mentored many young men, one of which has become a youth pastor in San Antonio. Together, Tano and Kimberly have also taught Bible studies and mentored young couples as they grow in their marriages.

The Tijerina family actively supports local charities such as the South Texas Food Bank, The Laredo Life Center, Laredo Stepping Stone, Campus Crusade and Casa Sofanias orphanage in Nuevo Laredo. They have been a top supporter of LIFE, investing in the future of Webb County’s children. Tano and his family also actively support other international agencies.

As a family man, Tano is active in his children’s lives. They are involved in local sports and Tano has assisted in the coaching of their teams. He has taught his children the family business and has mentored them to help on the family ranch. As they raise their animals for the county fair, Tano spends a great deal of time teaching his children the responsibility and discipline it takes to fully take care of these animals.

After having two biological children, Tano and Kimberly decided to adopt two infants from Guatemala and became actively involved in adoption and orphan advocacy. Tano became concerned for the future of Spanish speaking countries after witnessing them first hand during his children’s adoption process.

In 2008, Precept Ministries International asked Tano to aid in the formation and facilitation of a new board that would specifically serve over 20 Spanish speaking countries. Tano’s duties have been to formulate policy, give structure, oversee employees in all the participating countries, formulate funding policies and create the budget for the ministry. In 2009, Tano was elected Executive Vice-President of Precept Spanish Ministries.