Graduate Students and Professionals Share Lessons Over Lunch
Editor’s Note: The following is an edited and condensed transcript of the 2025 Homecoming Lunch and Lead hosted at the Graduate Business Center in Downtown El Paso.
Distinguished Alumnus Paul Dipp and Gold Nugget recipient Miriam Baca Kotkowski joined graduate students for a candid discussion on leadership, entrepreneurship, logistics, and life on the U.S.–Mexico border.
The exchange touched on everything from nearshoring and tariffs to AI, resilience, and the future of El Paso’s economy.
Moderator: Welcome, and thank you both for joining us. Miriam, would you like to begin?
Miriam Baca Kotkowski: Thank you. I’m honored to be here with you graduate students—I applaud you for pursuing this path. I went through my MBA in my 50s, one of the oldest in my class, so I know what it takes. My advice is to seize the moment.
I work in international logistics, and the border is such a unique and powerful place. The people, the culture, the openness—there are really no barriers here. Everything is logistics. Everything you touch, even cooking dinner, requires logistics.
Paul Dipp: I’d like to first thank Dean Hadjimarcou and Associate Dean Núñez for their leadership, and Ty and the team for everything they do. It’s been an honor to spend the week with Miriam—she’s remarkable.
My family has been in business here for generations: Economy Wholesale Grocers since 1958 and in real estate for over 100 years. My only goal today is to make sure no one leaves with an unanswered question.
Moderator: What do you see as the biggest opportunities for the next generation of leaders on the U.S.–Mexico border?
Miriam Baca Kotkowski: This is the moment—the planets have aligned for nearshoring. It isn’t coming, it’s already here. The United States, the world’s biggest consumer, needs more affordable products. Logistics costs are driving manufacturing closer, and Mexico is now the U.S.’s largest trading partner. That’s not going to stop.
Opportunities are everywhere. Open your eyes. Pay attention. Even something as simple as an app that connects families with childcare can grow into a business. Look at needs, look at services, and you’ll see possibilities all around you.
Paul Dipp: I agree, and I’d add: don’t impose limits on yourself. El Paso itself is full of opportunities if you’re willing to see them. Four sectors are especially strong: medical, aerospace, agriculture, and Fort Bliss.
For small businesses, there are three essentials. First, real experience in the field—truly working it, not just a short stint. Second, the capital to survive one or two years while you grow. And third, a business plan, revised again and again. Dreams need structure.
Moderator: Many students are asking about artificial intelligence. What’s your perspective?
Paul Dipp: AI is a tool, but don’t let it replace your own thinking. I’ve always believed in writing authentically, from the heart. Recently, a colleague slipped an AI-generated paragraph into one of my speeches—I didn’t know at first. It wasn’t bad, but it reminded me: use AI in moderation. Never let it interrupt your brainpower.
Most importantly, AI will never replace the human touch. In our business we say, “Abrazos are free.” Listening, caring, being ethical—that’s what builds trust and success.
Miriam Baca Kotkowski: I see AI as a wonderful assistant. I wasn’t fluent in English until college, and I’m not a strong writer. AI helps me put my ideas into polished words—90% is me, and AI helps with that last 10% of grammar and clarity.
But it should never replace critical thinking. That’s the skill we must keep developing. Use AI to support you, not to do the work for you.
Moderator: Tariffs and regulations on the border change constantly. How does that affect your industries?
Miriam Baca Kotkowski: The hardest part is uncertainty. Tariffs can change overnight. Border closures can stop thousands of trucks at once. That unpredictability makes it difficult for companies to plan investments. But once the rules are clear, business adapts. Industry is resilient.
Paul Dipp: Exactly. Every 12 years, with presidential elections in Mexico, there’s a devaluation. Add to that tariffs, bridge closures, and immigration issues—it’s like riding a roller coaster. If you can’t handle that, you may want another industry. But if you can, the rewards are worth it.
Moderator: What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
Paul Dipp: Don’t you dare limit yourself. Everything is possible. I’ve had setbacks and rough roads, but the one thing I’ve learned is never to place limits on your capacity or your opportunities.
Miriam Baca Kotkowski: For me, it comes down to always asking “why.” Why do we do what we do? That’s where the drive comes from. If you believe in your work, nothing will stop you. Drive and determination must come from inside, but they also need a strong business plan under your feet.
Moderator: And to women entrepreneurs specifically?
Miriam Baca Kotkowski: We have a superpower. Women are natural administrators—we manage resources, organize, and balance many roles. That DNA makes us strong entrepreneurs.
Paul Dipp: I couldn’t agree more. In our companies, women drive trucks, manage assets, and lead teams. We look at skill and dedication, not gender. Talent and commitment are what matter most.
Closing Remarks
Paul Dipp: Thank you for this honor. I want everyone here to remember: you are capable of everything—a Gold Nugget, a Distinguished Alumnus, whatever you dream. No second seats. You have ganas—use it.
Miriam Baca Kotkowski: Thank you as well. Your questions were wonderful. Time flew by, but we could have stayed here five more hours. Education changed my life, and I encourage you to keep seizing opportunities.
