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San Antonio, TX (November 19, 2024) The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce announce the 56 professionals who comprise the 49th class of Leadership San Antonio® (LSA).
Created in 1975, LSA was created by The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce to identify and develop community leaders and 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. Its mission focuses on delivering opportunities for these leaders to develop an understanding of the promise and challenges of the community. Beyond personal and professional development, the goal of LSA is to educate and inform these selected 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 to be a co-host of the program, enhancing the involvement and diversity of the classes.
“I am honored to welcome the newest class of the prestigious Leadership San Antonio. As the 2025 Chairman of the San Antonio Chamber, I am excited to see how this diverse group of emerging leaders will help shape the future of our great city,” says Pat Frost, 2025 Chair-Elect Chairman of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. “Leadership San Antonio has a long tradition of cultivating visionary leaders who are committed to making a positive impact in our community, and this class is poised to carry that legacy forward. Together, we will work to drive innovation, promote collaboration, and build a stronger, more inclusive San Antonio for all."
LSA received nearly 100 applications. Chamber representatives and LSA Steering Committee Mentors facilitated all the interviews and had the difficult task of identifying this year’s LSA class members from a very strong and competitive applicant pool. The LSA class participants are selected from all segments of the community and must have demonstrated leadership and held responsible positions in their chosen profession. The program seeks leaders dedicated to serving their community, and applicants must show a sincere commitment and desire to increase their level of service by assuming key leadership positions and engaging in Chamber work on Councils and Committees.
In its 49-year history, LSA’s primary goal remains the same – to help mold sensitive, responsible, and committed leaders and ensure a prosperous future for San Antonio.
The LSA 49 Co-Chairs are:
- Michael Bacon, Trinity University
- Lori Castillo, NatureSweet
The members of the LSA Class 49 Steering Committee are:
- Lisa Andrade Gonima, Del Rey Express
- Michele Autenrieth Brown, GDC Marketing & Ideation
- Seymour Battle, Valero Energy
- Wendy Brand, The Culture Coach
- Emily Calderon Galdeano, UP Partnership
- Taylor Dawson, Pape-Dawson Engineers
- Richard Delgado, Jr., The Boeing Company
- Stephen Dyer , Vaco
- Stephanie Garcia, Port San Antonio
- Jenness Gough, OfficeSource, Ltd.
- Luke Holland, Copperhead Construction Services, LLC
- Matari Jones Gunter, Texas State University
- Carmen Lara, greater:SATX
- Robert Olivares, The Doctor Rob Coachsulting, LLC
- Shane Siebenaler, Southwest Research Institute
The members of LSA Class 49 are:
- Shawna L. Arroyo, San Antonio River Authority
- MarkAnthony Ball, eXp Realty - Luxury Division
- Jana Berton, Tri-Starr Talent
- Jaselyn Blanchard-Pace, The Majestic Empire Foundation
- Alexandra Breckenridge, Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan
- Marisa Bushman, Agarita Chamber Players
- Abdul-Qadir Cassimjee, Stallion Signs
- Michael Cirlos, IDEA Public Schools
- Miles Donnelly, La Frite Belgian Bistro
- Jessica Dovalina, City of San Antonio
- Joshua Dym, Dym Realty Services, LLC
- Jacob Flores, H-E-B
- Herbie Goldstein, Howard Energy Partners
- Solange González-Cruz, San Antonio Zoo
- Alicia Grant, Norton Rose Fulbright
- Shelby Harris, Turner Construction
- Alissa Howard, Whataburger
- Jennifer Ingram, San Antonio Water System
- Latifah Jackson, University Health
- Kenneth Johnson, SWBC Consulting Group
- Jessica Karam Oley, Naturally Sensible Solutions, LLC d/b/a Pristine Sprays
- Ryan Kuhl, Prosper West San Antonio
- Camilla Labatt, Frost Bank
- Cynthia Lopez, SJRC Texas
- Lori Lopez, CPS Energy
- Melinda Higgins Louden, Toyota Motor North America
- Sarah Manzke, Blue Skies of Texas
- Emily Marcotte, THRU Project
- Francisco Martinez, Project QUEST
- Michelia Mason, Southwest Research Institute
- Juan Mata, Old Republic Title
- Diana Medlock, Wells Fargo
- Joseph Millhouse, PNC Private Bank
- Josue Morales, Twang Partners LLC.
- Jeff Morden, Texas Public Radio
- Corey Mowen, Rio Bank
- James Nortey , San Antonio for Growth on the Eastside, Inc.
- Chris Packham, University of Texas at San Antonio
- Michael Plummer, FirstDay Foundation
- Carey Quackenbush, GDC Marketing & Ideation
- Victor Reyna, Amegy Bank
- Greg Riedel, USAA
- Ashley Sacriste, Laurel Ridge Treatment Center
- Jimena Saenz, Methodist Healthcare System
- Kristian "Krissy" Salinas, Let's Go Texas, LLC
- Daryl Smith, Wingit210 & Sipit Daiquiris Togo
- Nadege Souvenir, San Antonio Area Foundation
- Angelle St.Germain, Valero Energy Corporation
- Liberty Swift, Spurs Sports & Entertainment
- Mark Tharp, 502d Installation Support Group/Joint Base San Antonio
- Albert Escobedo Tovar, VIA Metropolitan Transit
- Cathy Valdez, Project MEND
- Kathleen Whittle, Gallery 9
- Elvis Williams, Edgewood ISD
- Syd Wolff, The Kaufman Group, Inc.
- Kedrick Wright, Lockwood, Andrews and Newnam, Inc.
To learn more about Leadership San Antonio® or follow news on LSA 49 and previous class years, visit www.leadershipsa.org.
About the Greater San Antonio Chamber
For 130 years, the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce has been 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.