Appointed in 2022, he has led CPS through critical transitions with a focus on reliability, strategic planning, and deep community engagement.

A UT Austin engineering graduate with an MBA from UNT, Rudy is recognized nationally for his leadership in the energy sector and his commitment to serving San Antonio’s diverse communities.

She has organized and participated in numerous public engagement events, including a series of Town Hall Meetings presented by UTSA and the San Antonio Express-News. Dr. Romero was inducted into the San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame, Higher Education category in 2019.

Dr. Romero was selected as the Northwest Quadrant Trustee for the CPS Energy Board of Trustees in the Fall of 2021 and in January 2025 was elected Chair of this governance board of the largest gas and electric public utility in the United States. Through this position, she continues her long record of public service to the community, which includes past terms on the City of San Antonio Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Zoning Commission, and Charter Review Commission. She also currently serves as Chair of the City of San Antonio’s Conservation Advisory Board, which makes recommendations to City Council on purchases of land and conservation easements through the Edwards Aquifer Protection Program. To date, that Program has protected nearly 200,000 acres from development in perpetuity, sustaining both the quality and quantity of the City’s primary water source.

Dr. Romero received her Ph.D. and M.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Riverside, and a B.A. in Political Science from California State University, San Bernardino. As a scholar, she has focused on the institutional determinants of public policy, with an emphasis on civil rights and land use, as well as policies of the Progressive Era in the United States. In the land use realm, she has authored recent articles in academic journals that consider state and local land use policies in Texas as well as the legal history of zoning challenges in the United States, providing a specific focus on the foundational constitutionality of single-family exclusive zones. Dr. Romero’s book, Not for Sale, focusing on the controversy of eminent domain through the lens of the Kelo v. New London case will be published in 2025 by University Press of Kansas.

Additionally, the utility has earned several state and national recognitions and awards, including: induction to the Leading Utilities of the World; the National Association Of Clean Water Agencies' 2016 Public Information and Education Agency Achievement Award - Educational Program; the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's 2016 Texas Environmental Excellence Award – Education; Water Environment Federation's 2015 Public Education Award; and the Top Workplace Award 10 times since 2011 years, as well as the national 2025 Energy & Utilities Top Workplace.

Prior to SAWS, Puente served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1991-2008 and was Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee. During his tenure, Puente authored and led the charge in passing several historic bills related to water which continue to serve as model legislation throughout the U.S.

Prior to that, Jamison served as Deputy City Manager for Planning and Development with the City of San Antonio, with oversight for departments of Economic Development, Development Services, International Relations, Comprehensive Planning, Housing and Community Development, Public Works, Parks & Recreation, Code Compliance and the City Council Action Team. During her 24 years with the city, Jamison helped develop many economic and cultural development projects across the city, such as the development of the Alamodome, the 2001 expansion of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and the renovation of the Carver Community Cultural Center, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Plant, Rackspace Corporate Relocation, Texas A&M University, San Antonio Campus and over half a billion in capital improvement projects across the City of San Antonio.

Jamison is also actively involved with a wide range of professional and nonprofit organizations, including serving as Chairwoman for the San Antonio Water System, Trinity University Board of Trustees; CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Board of Directors; San Antonio Medical Foundation Board; Texas Public Radio Board of Directors; Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas, Vice President, Board of Directors; United Way of San Antonio Board of Directors; Masters Leadership Board of Directors; and the National Forum for Black Public Administrators, where she previously served as President.

A native of Louisiana, Jamison holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Southern University, a Master of Arts in urban studies from Trinity University and a Construction Executive Certification from Texas A&M University.

Since joining VIA in 2017, Jon Gary has been a driving force behind its transformation, serving as Senior Vice President of Public Engagement during a pivotal period in the agency’s history. Under his leadership, VIA earned national recognition as the Most Outstanding Metropolitan Transit Agency three times and achieved industry-leading customer satisfaction ratings. In 2024, he was named President and CEO, expanding VIA’s impact in creating access to opportunity for the San Antonio region.

Before VIA, Jon Gary served as Regional Vice President of Communications for Spectrum, leading award-winning strategic communications, public relations, and government affairs programs for over 2 million customers across Texas. He also served as Vice President of Business Development for the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, supporting small businesses and expanding business education services.

Beyond his professional career, Jon Gary is a lifelong advocate for his community. As a former Rey Feo, he helped raise more than $450,000 in local scholarships. He has also played key roles in civic and nonprofit organizations, reflecting his commitment to economic opportunity and education.

He serves on the boards of the San Antonio Mobility Coalition (SAMCo), Rey Feo Consejo Organization (Past Regent), and St. Anthony Catholic School Board of Trustees. His previous leadership includes Vice Chair of the San Antonio Housing Authority and Chair of the Texas Cable Association.

As VIA prepares to mark 50 years of service, Jon Gary remains focused on strengthening community partnerships, expanding transit access, and positioning VIA as a leader in mobility solutions for the San Antonio Region’s future.

Laura is a director of Corporate Responsibility at USAA and a strategy lead for Face the Fight, a public awareness and health campaign founded by USAA to bring together businesses and organizations in the fight against veteran suicide. Additionally, Laura leads the Economic Mobility strategy, focusing on empowering underserved, veteran, and military spouse communities to advance economic opportunity within education, workforce, small business, and financial readiness. She previously led the execution of USAA’s $50M commitment to advance economic mobility for underserved communities. Laura has 20+ years of experience designing and executing community development initiatives, brand management, corporate social responsibility, and government relations.

Prior to joining USAA, Laura was SVP Community Relations at Wells Fargo, covering Central Texas. An entrepreneur at heart, Laura is co-owner of a commercial painting company and has mentored small business owners. Her career also includes serving as Chief of Staff for two San Antonio City Council representatives, leading a regional office for the Women's Sports Foundation, and driving economic strategies for real estate and economic development organizations through her consulting company.

Laura earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from St. Mary’s University and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She is also a graduate of the Washington Semester – Foreign Policy Program at American University in Washington, D.C.

Outside of work, you can find Laura on the coaching sideline supporting her two active daughters, Mia and Mya in their sports of volleyball, soccer, basketball, and softball.