Greater San Antonio Chamber and San Antonio Hispanic Chamber Name Co-Chairs of the 2025 Leadership San Antonio Program
San Antonio, TX [ August 9, 2024] - The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce are excited to announce the Co-Chairs of the 2025 Leadership San Antonio (LSA) Program Class 49: Mike Bacon, Vice-President for Alumni Relations & Development at Trinity University, and Lori Castillo, Vice President of Global Marketing for NatureSweet.
Leadership San Antonio (LSA) Co-Chairs are appointed by the respective incoming Chairs of the Board of each chamber and provide invaluable leadership and guidance to the LSA Steering Committee, which consists of a small and focused team of LSA alumni who together guide the members of the incoming class. They are responsible for recruiting the members of LSA Class 49 and will develop, plan, and execute a year of impactful experiences to expose class members to the inner workings of San Antonio and the surrounding region.
“It’s my honor to appoint Mike Bacon as LSA 49 Co-Chair,” said Pat Frost, 2025 Greater San Antonio Chamber Board Chair and former Frost Bank President. “Mike has been a long-time Chamber member representing Trinity University and has served LSA for many years as a trusted Steering Committee Mentor, active LSA Alumni member, and an advocate for Chamber involvement and engagement.”
"We are thrilled to announce Lori Castillo, a distinguished member of the Hispanic Chamber board, as the new LSA 49 Co-Chair. Lori's extensive experience with LSA, along with her remarkable contributions to the business community and her leadership at NatureSweet—a valued Hispanic Chamber member and corporate citizen in San Antonio—make her the perfect choice for this role,” said Juan Antonio Flores, SAHCC 2025 Chairman-elect and Executive Vice President for Government Affairs at Port San Antonio.
Each year, the city’s growing industries are the focus while both chambers are highlighted for their important role in the San Antonio business, political, and civic communities. The overarching goal is to reinforce the importance of getting involved in the chambers and community, staying connected, and giving back.
"Leadership San Antonio is our city's premier leadership development program. I was fortunate to be a part of LSA at the right time in my career, and I was amazed at how it expanded my network of people dedicated to seeing San Antonio flourish. This is a passion of mine, given a third of Trinity University graduates build their careers here and make San Antonio their home,” said Bacon, a graduate of LSA Class 27 and Steering Committee Mentor for LSA 45.
Since 1975, LSA has been recognized as the premier leadership development program in South Texas. The program provides participants with a unique experience to expand their service to San Antonio. The jointly sponsored program identifies individuals who have demonstrated leadership in their chosen profession and are active in community organizations supporting San Antonio’s growth and development.
“Being selected as a Leadership San Antonio Co-Chair is an incredible honor! It's a fantastic opportunity to shape the future of our city by mentoring and inspiring the next generation of leaders. I'm excited to collaborate with such talented individuals, delve deeper into San Antonio's complexities, and contribute meaningfully to our community's growth and prosperity,” said Castillo, LSA 42 Class Graduate and fellow LSA 45 Steering Committee Mentor alongside Bacon.
For former LSA graduates who are members in good standing of either the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce or the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and are interested in applying to serve as Steering Committee mentors for LSA Class 49, please CLICK HERE. DEADLINE TO SUBMIT IS MIDNIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 21, 2024.
For individuals interested in applying for LSA 49, CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS. DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS 11:59 PM (CT), FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2024.
Questions about LSA? Contact Angela McClendon Johnson, Vice President of Education, Workforce and Leadership, at amcclendonjohnson@sachamber.org.
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About Greater San Antonio Chamber
The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce is the preeminent voice of the San Antonio business community. As the largest business association in the region, the Greater Chamber advocates on behalf of the business community at the local, state, and federal levels; collaborates with educational institutions and organizations to build a stronger workforce for the future; and provides a way for businesses of every size to build their network.
About the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1929, America’s first Hispanic Chamber and San Antonio’s only Five-Star accredited organization by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce continues to be the leader in business assistance, connecting its members to needed resources, providing procurement, marketing and networking opportunities, advocating for legislation affecting small businesses and corporations in the San Antonio metropolitan area, and better training to develop the skills of our local workforce.
About Leadership San Antonio
LSA was created in 1975 by The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce to help identify and develop community leaders. It is now considered the premier program for existing and emerging leaders in Bexar County and surrounding areas. The program, one of the first of its kind in Texas, has graduated nearly 2,000 participants and focuses on delivering these leaders an opportunity to develop an understanding of the promise and challenges of our community. The program goes beyond personal and professional development and, as its goal, educates and informs these leaders in the vital areas affecting San Antonio, as well as encouraging Chamber Business involvement and Community advocacy. In 1992, The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber joined as a co-host of the program, enhancing the involvement and diversity of future classes. In its 49-year history, LSA’s primary goal remains to help mold sensitive, responsible, and committed leaders and ensure a prosperous future for San Antonio.