Celia M. Torres

Celia M. Torres was born in Panama and immigrated to the United States at the age of 12. She

joined the United States Army where she served 23 years, both active and reserve, retiring as a

First Sergeant. Through her time as a reservist, Celia worked for the Bureau of Prisons and

eventually transitioned to work for Customs and Immigration, later known as Customs and

Border Protection (CBP). After 9/11 she was activated by the Army to run the Soldiers

Readiness Processing Center (SRP) for Ft. Bliss, TX until her retirement in 2005. While running

the SRP center, Celia acquired a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Management and Human

Resources in order to encourage her lower enlisted soldiers to further their education. She later

acquired a Master’s of Arts degree in Management and Leadership from Webster University

(2009). At CBP Celia was a Customs Inspector, Customs Officer, Mission Support Specialist, and

a member of the Special Emphasis Program Committee where she assisted in creating programs

for community and cultural enrichment.

Celia is currently the Commander of American Legion Post 74, First Responders, in El Paso, TX.

She is a current member of the Elks Lodge 187 in El Paso, TX, the 20/4, 40/8, DAV 187, Auxiliary

post 58, Texas Women Veteran, and a former member of the Fraternal Order of Police where

she was responsible for fundraising initiatives and recruitment. Celia also spends her time as a

volunteer mediator for the El Paso Dispute Resolution Center in El Paso, TX, as well as, a

counselor for the American Legion Boys State where she assists in acquiring donors to support

the funding of the students’ trip. She has been married to her husband for 41 years and her

two children are United States Navy Veterans.