Larry John Porras, MPA

John “L.J.” Porras serves as the regional advocacy director for El Paso and Far West Texas with Raise Your Hand Texas, where he has worked since 2021 to elevate public education through community relationships, outreach, and coalition-building across the region. Porras brings a blend of public service experience and regional knowledge to his work. He is deeply committed to bridging gaps across communities and supporting efforts that reflect the values, needs, and potential of West Texans.

Working throughout the region, Porras seeks to bring together voices from urban, rural, and frontier communities alike to ensure that local experiences shape statewide conversations around education. He also serves as president of the board of directors for Progress321, an El Paso-based nonprofit focused on leadership development, cross-sector collaboration, and regional pride. He also serves on multiple organizations supporting the local community.

Porras is a native of Valentine, Texas, and earned a Master of Public Administration from Texas Tech University.