About the Public Affairs Council  

The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Public Affairs Council is the organization’s primary voice in advocating for The Chamber membership on government and public affairs. The department is responsible for voicing the concerns and position of the business community to local, state, and federal elected officials and government agencies.

The Strategic Objectives for the Public Affairs Council in 2010 are to:

• Expand pro-business advocacy by communicating Chamber news and positions to community leaders, business leaders, Chamber members, and, when appropriate, to government leaders, the media and the community.
• Gather input from Chamber committees, partnering organizations, legislators and member legislative priorities to develop The Chamber’s Federal and State Legislative Agendas for 2010 and advocate for critical business issues at the city, state, federal levels.
• Work with regional coalitions to ensure the availability and affordability of water resources to meet future development needs.
• Maintain a strong working relationship with local, regional, state and federal transportation entities seeking the development, promotion and implementation of effective multi-modal transportation solutions.
• Actively engage regional stakeholders to develop effective strategies to address additional business and quality of life needs, i.e., air quality and sustainability issues.To find important positions of The Chamber, download these key documents.

The Public Affairs Department is comprised of a Steering Committee, which meets monthly and hosts semiannual meetings for the overall council, which is comprised of members of all of the committees under the Public Affairs umbrella. The Transportation, Water, Energy and Sustainability and Legislative Committees meet on a regular basis to discuss issues, develop policy and achieve goals outlined in The Chamber’s Strategic Plan. The Nominations & Appointments Committee meets on an as-needed basis to develop recommendations for qualified business members to local and state boards and commissions. 

The Public Affairs Council produces Position Statements reflective of The Chamber’s Board. The Chamber’s statements are the result of a thorough and thoughtful process beginning with the committees and are among the many products of the Public Affairs Council. The Council is responsible for the creation and implementation of The Chamber’s legislative agenda, hosting the Mayor’s State of the City Address, the County Judge’s State of the County Address, facilitating City Council debates in election years, recommending qualified business members to local and state boards and commissions, conducting City Council tours for membership, producing member publications and serving as a conduit of information of current events impacting our community. 

Department staff serves as a liaison between governmental agencies and elected officials on behalf of The Chamber membership and assists in gathering information and making contacts with individuals in the community that can help their businesses grow and prosper.

Boards & Commissions Committee – Chairman Angela McClendon Johnson (The McClendon Johnson Group): Coordinates business community recommendations for local and state boards and commissions. 

Energy & Sustainability Committee – Chairman Luis de la Garza (Texen Power Company): Identifies and supports long-term economical energy sources and policies to promote economic development.

Legislative Committee – Chairman Bo Gilbert (USAA): Researches, discusses and implements The Chamber’s priorities dealing with the Texas State Legislature during legislative sessions, special sessions as well as during the interims. The group also focuses on federal funding issues that impact San Antonio’s economy.

Transportation Committee – Chairman Louis Rowe (Goetting and Associates): Advocates for new and innovative methods of transportation funding that satisfy the transportation needs of San Antonio and the region. This includes leading efforts to advocate for timely and full completion of the SH 130 project, support of the Lone Star Rail District, the Alamo Regional Mobility Authority Board and the San Antonio Mobility Coalition.

Water Committee – Chairman Howard Peak (AT&T): Works to identify and support long-term political solutions to ensure an adequate, affordable quality supply of water on a regional basis.

Important Links:

City of San Antonio

Bexar County

State of Texas

Texas Legislature Online

2010 Chairman of the Public Affairs Council is Frank Burney (Martin & Drought P.C.)

View current Chamber Position Statements here.

Volunteer for a Public Affairs Committee today. Contact the staff at (210) 229-2161 or by e-mail.