Immediate Past Chairman 

Sam graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering.  He serves as Chief Executive Officer of Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc., which was established in San Antonio in 1965. The firm has offices in San Antonio, Austin and Houston.  The company provides civil and environmental engineering services to the public and private sectors. Sam's responsibilities include the firm's management, allocation of resources, strategic planning, and operations.  He also provides review and coordination of major projects.

Sam's record also includes hours of volunteer service which supports many professional, charitable and community organizations.  He has held leadership roles with not only The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, but also the University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at San Antonio, Trinity Baptist Church, the Witte Museum, Texas Society of Professional Engineers, American Society of Civil Engineers, the Rotary Club of San Antonio, the San Antonio Mobility Coalition, Professional Engineers in Private Practice, Alamo Colleges Foundation Board, Frost National Bank, City Year San Antonio, San Antonio Friends of Parks, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Austin-San Antonio Corridor Council, and the Express-News Community Advisory Board. 

Pape-Dawson is a former recipient of the prestigious Pinnacle Award as the Corporate Citizen of the Year by The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. This award is presented to those "who demonstrate leadership, vision, innovation and dedication to the San Antonio community."

Sam learned the value of community service from his family, who have been involved in every area of philanthropy in San Antonio and South Texas for generations.  In 2009, The Dawson Family was inducted into the San Antonio Business Hall of Fame by Junior Achievement.  Sam is also the recipient of the ASCE - John A. Focht, Jr. Citizen of the Year Award, and the San Antonio Mobility Coalition Transportation Champion Award. He was selected as one of San Antonio Business Journal's 40 Under 40, and formerly selected as the State Engineer of the Year by the Texas Society of Professional Engineers.  Sam is a former Co-Chair, Steering Committee member, and graduate of Leadership San Antonio.

Born and raised in San Antonio, Sam is married to Laura Ferree Dawson of Fort Worth. Sam and Laura are active in their church and in serving the community together.  They have two children, Taylor and Kendall.

Sam Dawson

Chief Executive Officer
Pape-Dawson Engineers, Inc.,