San Antonio, TX (November 30, 2023) The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce are excited to announce the 56 individuals who will make up the 48^th class of Leadership San Antonio (LSA). 

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LSA was created in 1975 by The Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce to help 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 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 to be a co-host of the program, enhancing the involvement and diversity of future classes.

“LSA attracts the brightest talent from both the private and public sectors as well as the non-profit world and provides them with intensive training in a variety of areas that are not only important to their own development but to the growth and prosperity of San Antonio and Bexar County,” said Mario Barrera 2023 Chair-Elect for the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright. “I am excited about the launch of LSA 48 and the leadership of co-chair Brandyn Rodriguez from CPS.  Brandy has been a tireless volunteer for the Greater San Antonio Chamber, and I am looking forward to working with her and co-chair Edward Benavides.”   

Leadership San Antonio received close to 140 applications and through the important work of the Steering Committee Mentors, facilitated more than 100 interviews and had the difficult task of identifying the future LSA class members from a very worthy and competitive applicant pool. LSA class participants are selected from all segments of the community and must have demonstrated leadership and held responsible positions in their chosen profession. LSA seeks people 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.

“The Leadership San Antonio program has such a storied history. I am a product of the LSA program and am proud to have gone through the program, served as a steering committee mentor, and served as Chair of the LSA alumni association,” says Steve Alaniz, 2023-2024 San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board Chair and CEO, Momentum Physical Therapy & Sports Rehab. “I am truly excited for class 48 to further build on the LSA legacy and challenge them to make their class the “best class ever"!

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 48 Co-Chairs are: 

·       Brandyn Rodriguez, CPS Energy

·       Edward Benavides, The Center for Healthcare Services

The members of the LSA Class 48 Steering Committee are:

·       Thomas Aguillon, Charter Communications 

·       Demonte Alexander, DOCUmation San Antonio, LLC.

·       Amanda Crouch, Jackson Walker LLP

·       Hazel Davis, Jefferson Bank

·       Terrin Fuhrmann, Elsewhere Garden Bar & Kitchen

·       Phyllis Gallay, Business Consultant

·       Tiffany Galvan, TMG Media, LLC 

·       Eduardo Garcia, Stantec

·       Mark Hernandez, True Flavors Catering

·       Rachel Holland, Meta

·       Anissa Mahone, The University of Texas at San Antonio

·       Maria Nelson, Halff

·       Miranda Puente, Miranda Puente Mindful Movements

·       Dr. Shanna Smith, Wayland Baptist University / Military Family Advisory Network 

·       Michael Vela, MAV TX LLC (dba Socially Media Group)

·       Jeff Wurzburg, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

The members of LSA Class 48 are:

·       Elizabeth Ackley, The Center for Health Care Services

·       Joe Alderete III, San Antonio Professional Firefighters Association

·       CMSgt Gilda M. Alexander, USAF/502d Air Base Wing

·       Lori Alvarez, The American Red Cross

·       John Baker, Lockwood, Andrews and Newnam, Inc. (LAN)

·       Nikisha Baker, San Antonio Metropolitan Ministry, Inc. dba SAMMinistries

·       Julie Bedingfield, Kronkosky Charitable Foundation

·       Ana Bradshaw, City of San Antonio Economic Development Department

·       Eduardo Bravo, Irys Technologies, Inc

·       Cheryl Burroughs, Marathon Petroleum Corporation

·       Art Cavazos, Jackson Walker LLP

·       Sinclair Ceaser III, Sinclairity Consulting LLC

·       Melissa Chamrad, Hemisfair Park Area Redevelopment Corporation

·       Ty Chumbley, Palo Alto College/Heartbrand Beef

·       Samantha Coleman, NPower

·       Doug Conyers, Helios Technologies

·       William Cortez, La Familia Cortez Restaurants

·       Cody Cruthirds, NuStar Energy

·       Celine Dobbs, KGBTexas Communication

·       Sophia Erian, Port San Antonio

·       Angie Gaona, Vantage Bank

·       Estrellita Garcia-Diaz, Jefferson Bank

·       Juan “Sebastian” Garzon, Alamo Angels

·       Michelle Gonzalez, Rosario's ComidaMex & Bar

·       Priscilla Hernandez, Bexar County 

·       Roy Hock, Valero Energy Corporation

·       Shermeka Hudson, Turner Construction Company

·       Sierra Hunter, Endeavors

·       Gabriela Ibarra Noriega, Avance San Antonio

·       Kristina Jewasko, H-E-B

·       Michelle Jones, STRAC

·       Susan MacCabe, USAA

·       Christopher Mammen, greater:SATX

·       Michael Anthony, Stewart Title

·       Aanand Mehta, Spurs Sports and Entertainment

·       Stephanie Melchor, Toyota Motor North America

·       Celina Montoya, Calm Mediation & Consulting

·       Stacy Oksenberg, YMCA of Greater San Antonio

·       Cyle Perez, San Antonio Zoo

·       LeeRoy Perez, CPS Energy

·       Robert Pina, San Antonio Water System

·       Erika Robinson, Trinity University 

·       Kurt Robinson, Robinson General Contractors

·       Danielle Rushing Behrends, Dykema Gossett PLLC

·       Tatiana Salinas, Frost Bank

·       Shane Siebenaler, Southwest Research Institute

·       Breanna Smith, SWBC

·       Bruna Spengler, Pape-Dawson Engineers

·       Clarissa Tejeda, Texas A&M University-San Antonio

·       Aimee Vidaurri, Norton Rose Fulbright

·       Dacey Werba, Close to Home

·       Catie White, Family Service Association

·       Amanda Whitelonis, GenCure

·       Dr. Alexis Wiesenthal Miles, Alexis Wiesenthal, MD, FACP

·       Kristi Wyatt, Alamo Colleges District

·       Dr. Cliff Zintgraff, SAMSAT

To learn more about Leadership San Antonio or follow news on LSA 48 and previous class years, visit www.leadershipsa.org.