Former Councilwoman and current Chamber President Alita Bagley made South Texas her home in 1975 and started a produce business with her husband. Six years after starting up the business, Bagley took on another job as being a full-time, stay-at-home mother. "After working in the business for six years, I was fortunate enough to become a full-time, stay-at-home mother of six."

Through the course of living in south Texas, Bagley mentioned visiting South Padre Island regularly. "We, of course, visited the Island regularly and, in 2000, purchased a second home on SPI after our last child left home."

After about four years, Bagley and her husband decided to make their South Padre Island residence their permanent home. "We made SPI our permanent home although my husband still travels back and forth to Edinburg to run our business," said Bagley.

Eventually, Bagley made a name for herself as a public servant in the community, starting with working for the Chamber in 2006 as a membership services manager, to being appointed to sit on the City's Beach and Dune Committee, now called the Shoreline Taskforce, in 2007, to serving in City Council from 2008-2020. During those years, she also dedicated her time as an active volunteer at the SPI Birding and Nature Center, eventually serving as President of the Board of Directors for six years, while simultaneously working for the Chamber of Commerce.

During 2020, Alita stepped up to serve as Chamber President after Roxanne Harvill (former Chamber President) retired. "I applied for the position and began working at the Chamber once again in November of 2020. I am thrilled to be back in a position where I feel I can use my experience and knowledge to assist and support our business community," said Bagley.

Through the years, it's been essential to Bagley to give back to her community. "I feel privileged to have had all these opportunities to do so. South Padre Island is a wonderful place to live, work, and vacation, and I get to do all three!"