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Leadership San Antonio Class 50 went places on Class Day 7—literally. From the Tower of the Americas to the tarmac at San Antonio International Airport, from an advanced manufacturing floor to the heart of The Creamery, the day offered a firsthand look at the people, infrastructure and investments shaping the future of San Antonio and the broader super-region.
The journey began high above the city at the Tower of the Americas, where sunrise provided a 360-degree view of San Antonio’s continued growth.
Spurs icon Sean Elliott and Bobby Perez challenged the class to look beyond the skyline, sharing their vision for downtown development and the Spurs’ role in connecting San Antonio to opportunities across the super-region.
That conversation about connectivity continued on the ground—and in the air—as the class traveled to the Valero Hangar at San Antonio International Airport. Mayor Jones welcomed LSA50 before Henry Cisneros and Beto Altamirano offered contrasting perspectives on the future of the Central Texas-South Texas super-region. The discussion was followed by an unforgettable tarmac tour, taking participants across the airfield and past the future Terminal C. Back inside the hangar, Airport Director Jesus Saenz and VIA Board Chair Laura Cabanilla expanded the conversation to transportation and regional mobility. The class also celebrated LSA’s 50th anniversary with cake and signed a banner destined for the new terminal.
From transportation, the class turned to manufacturing, arriving at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas to explore another cornerstone of the region’s economic engine. Over bento boxes and discussions highlighting Japanese heritage, participants heard from leaders about the infrastructure, investment and collaboration required to sustain growth. Those themes carried into two afternoon conversations: one focused on infrastructure with TxDOT Commissioner Alex Meade, Southstar President Thad Rutherford and South Texas Business Partnership CEO Rebecca Viagran; the other examined local government’s role in responsible growth and economic development, featuring former Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Brownsville Mayor John Cowen, moderated by David Robinson Jr.
The day’s final stop at The Creamery brought the class together to reflect, celebrate and connect. A “Friends in Low Places” singalong set the tone for a surprise reveal—custom LSA50 Vaccari boots for every participant—before the class explored the district’s restaurants and continued conversations about passenger rail and the Texas film industry. AJ Rodriguez, CEO of the Central Texas Alliance, brought the day full circle with a toast to LSA50 and its role in shaping the future of the super-region—from Brownsville to Austin. Class Day 7 was more than a day of destinations. It was a journey through the interconnected systems, industries and communities that will define what comes next for the region.