On Thursday, December 15, the San Antonio Board of Directors and the Executive Committee met for a joint meeting and the last leadership meeting of the year. 2022 Chair of the Board Phil Green, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Cullen/Frost Bankers, Inc. and Frost Bank, welcomed Board members who attended the meeting in person at the Frost Tower and those who attended virtually.
Following approval of the October Board Meeting minutes, the Chamber’s Executive Vice President Dave Petersen briefed the Executive Committee and Board members on the Chamber’s Strategic Plan. The Chamber Staff, with the assistance of Larry Mills, Executive Vice President for HOLT CAT, has developed a comprehensive three-year strategic plan focused on building a strong chamber, engaging members, and impacting business.
Shannon Badger, CPA, Co-Founder and Partner of Badger CPA, presented the Chamber’s 2023 budget, which the Board voted to adopt.
Cacie Madrid, VP of Public Policy for the Chamber, discussed the Position Statement on the CPS Energy Rate Advisory Committee Energy Generation Portfolio recommendations. The position states: The San Antonio Chamber of Commerce supports the proposed Energy Generation Portfolio, P2-Blend: Gas, Solar, Wind and Storage Additions, recommended by the CPS Energy Rate Advisory Committee. There was discussion about the importance of an affordable, reliable, and stable energy portfolio, and the Board voted to approve the Position Statement.
Dave Petersen presented the 2023 leadership for approval by the board. The Board approved:
- Phil Green, Frost, as Executive Board Finance and Audit Committee Chair
- Darryl Byrd, ULTRAte, as Executive Board Governance, Nominating, and Compensation Committee Chair
- Marilu Reyna, FirstDay Foundation, as Chair of the Education and Workforce Development Council
- Kevin Matula, Zachry Group, as Chair of the Economic Development Council
- Nine Appointees to the Board of Investors:
- Bobby Blount, MITRE
- Abel Chavez, Our Lady of the Lake University
- Cris Daskevich, The Children’s Hospital of San Antonio, Christus Health
- Leo Gomez, Brooks
- Dr. Erika Gonzales, South Texas Allergy and Asthma Medical Professionals
- Jennifer Newell, Betty’s Co.
- Jim Perschbach, Port San Antonio
- Yvette Robinson, Robinson General Contractors
- Charles Woodin, Geekdom
Dave also offered the notification of the class of Directors for the Chamber’s Executive Board. The following members will be serving for one year on the Executive Board:
- Joe Gorder, Valero
- JD Salinas, AT&T
- Brad Barron, NuStar
- Jon Allman, Endeavors
- Jamie Kowalski, RK Group
- Elaine Mendoza, Conceptual MindWorks, Inc.
- Hope Andrade, GO RIO San Antonio River Cruises
The following members will serve for 2 years:
- Phil Green, Frost
- Bobby Perez, Spurs Sports and Entertainment
- John B. Zachry, Zachry Group
- Sam Dawson, Pape-Dawson Engineers
- Katie Harvey, KGBTexas Communications
- Darryl Byrd, ULTRAte
- Rosa Santana, Santana Group
Phil Green recognized Board members and Council Chairs who have completed their term, including:
- Erv Lessel, Deloitte
- Benjamin Peavy, Accenture
- Dean Radla, News4/Fox29 San Antonio
- Denise Hernandez, True Flavors Catering
- Joe Perez, Frontline Support Solutions
- Taylor Dawson, Pape-Dawson Engineers
- Charlie Weil, Transwestern
- Tyler Schroeder, Boeing
Phil also presented the acceptance of the Chamber’s President and CEO Richard Perez’s resignation and the appointment of Executive Vice President Dave Petersen as Interim President and CEO, which the Board voted to approve.
Finally, in his President’s Update, Richard Perez thanked the Chamber’s leadership and board for their support, guidance, and friendship.