News
SoTx Announces 2023 Board Chair, Blaine Lopez
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, Nov 30, 2022 SoTx Announces 2023 Board Chair, Blaine LopezTerm from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 (San Antonio, Texas)- The South Texas Business Partnership (SoTx) announces the appointment of Blaine Lopez, Partner of KFW Engineers + Surveying as the 2023 Chair of the South Texas Business Partnership Board of Directors. The 2023 Board will be comprised of 33 individuals from area
SoTx Board Announces Resignation of President & CEO, Search to Begin Immediately
(SAN ANTONIO, TX)—The South Texas Business Partnership announced, today, its Board of Directors has accepted the resignation of Al Arreola Jr. as President & CEO, effective October 21, 2022. The board will begin a search for a permanent President & CEO immediately. Arreola has been with the organization, formerly known as the South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, since June 2014. “I want to sincerely thank all those who have contributed to the continued growth of SoTx, it has been a great honor and
South Texas Summit: Industries in Rural Texas
South Texas Summit: Industries in Rural TexasCounty leaders discuss multiple challenges including the need for expanded technology.San Antonio Business Journal: September 23, 2022 DeWitt County Judge Daryl Fowler and LaVaca County Judge Mark Myers joined moderator Dan Eason, co-owner at UHCL Investments, LLC, to discuss industries in rural Texas as well as the future for the state’s rural businesses at the recent South Texas Summit at Brooks. UHCL Investments is the owner and operating company of
South Texas Summit: Area judges weigh in on growth in Alamo City region
South Texas Summit: Area judges weigh in on growth in Alamo City regionSan Antonio Business Journal: September 23, 2022 Medina County Judge Chris Schuchart, Atascosa County Judge Robert Hurley and McMullen County Judge James Teal discussed the challenges and opportunities for the counties adjacent to Bexar County during the recent South Texas Summit at Brooks. Medina County is already deep into growth mode as Bexar County residents begin to look west. “There are more than 20,000 more homes already
South Texas Summit: Leaders talk immigration and the border communities
South Texas Summit: Leaders talk immigration and the border communitiesSan Antonio Business Journal: September 22, 2022, Jannette Zorrilla Three leaders from counties along the U.S.-Mexico border came together at the inaugural South Texas Summit to talk about immigration issues. Kinney County Judge Tully Shahan, City of Del Rio Mayor Al Arreola Sr. and Rio Grande City Mayor Joel Villarreal appeared on the panel held Thursday at the Embassy Suites at Brooks. The discussion was moderated by Al Arreola Jr.,
South Texas Summit: A&M Chancellor John Sharp: Texas' next boom will be built on 'human resources'
South Texas Summit: A&M Chancellor John Sharp: Texas' next boom will be built on 'human resources'San Antonio Business Journal: September 16, 2022, Ramzi Abou Ghalioum The South Texas Summit concluded Thursday, an event exploring the current and future economic status and efforts happening between San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley with a keynote speech from Texas A&M University Chancellor John Sharp. "I happen to believe that South Texas is what the future of Texas is about," Sharp said. Referencing
SoTx's LEADSouth program announces participants of 2023 Class
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jessica FurdockPhone: (210) 865-9683Email: Jessica@sotxpartnership.org SoTx’s LEADSouth program announces participants of 2023 Class September 23, 2022 (San Antonio, Texas) : The South Texas Business Partnership announces the 27 business professionals who were selected to participate in the newly re-branded LEAD South leadership program. (Formally known as the City South Leadership Academy) In 1986, the South
It's Time to Look South
Op-Ed by Connie Gonzalez, SoTx Board Chair Welcome to the prelude of the next great Texas success story. South San Antonio has reached a moment in time every investor dreams of–where the gains realized are far beyond anything we could have imagined. Years of focused and collaborative development have led to this golden hour in time, and South Texas is ready to reap the benefits. The evidence that South Texas is on the brink of major expansion is everywhere–if you take the time to look. Leaders have
SoTx Host City of San Antonio Councilwomen
South Texas Business Partnership hosted City of San Antonio District 3 Councilwoman Phyllis Viagran, District 4 Councilwoman Adriana Rocha Garcia, & District 5 Councilwoman Teri Castillo at our recurring monthly luncheon in August. SoTx Chairwoman Connie Gonzalez summoned her former news anchor self and guided a discussion on the annual City Budget, 2022-2027 Bond Program, and some personal fun facts about each Councilwoman. This episode of the SoTx Podcast is also available on the following
Against the odds: Rudy Garza's unlikely path to CPS Energy's top executive position
In partnership with the Business Journal, the South Texas Business Partnership will honor Rudy Garza as 'South Texan of the Year' at the South Texas Summit Welcome Reception on Wednesday, September 14th at Mission San Jose. For more information about the South Texas Summit click here. By Donna Provencher – Reporter, San Antonio Business Journal Jul 27, 2022 Born to teenage parents and raised in Corpus Christi in an 800-square-foot multigenerational household, Rudy Garza beat the odds to ascend to
SoTx Host Active Shooter Training for Businesses
Fox 29 Ernie Zuniga interviews Sheriff Javier Salazar and SoTx Pres/CEO Al Arreola to discuss how to Avoid, Deny and Defend in an active shooting situation in light of recent tragedy in Uvalde, TX. On Thursday, July 21st from 9am-12pm at Hotel Contessa SoTx will host an Active Shooter Training presented by Sheriff Javier Salazar. Members of the Bexar County Sheriff's Office will teach you how to Avoid, Deny and Defend in an active shooting situation at your business. Continental Breakfast and valet
Port San Antonio Shares Vision of Tech Port
South Texas Business Partnership hosted Jim Perschbach, President & CEO of Port San Antonio at their recurring monthly luncheon in June. Jim Perschbach shared updates on the capital investments made on the Port San Antonio campus. He highlight projects that have been completed and discussed the future vision of facilities under development. This is the third episode of SoTx relaunched podcast series focused on advancing conversations on infrastructure, workforce, and economic development in the
SoTx Mid-Year Report
July 5, 2022 On behalf of our Board of Directors and Staff we want to share some highlights from the first half of 2022. Thank you to all members that were involved in making some of these accomplishments happen. We welcome you to review our Mid-Year report and give us your thoughts, comments, and ideas. We encourage you to participate and make your voice known as we continue to broaden our influence in the region. -Al Arreola, Jr., SoTx President/CEO Event Highlights 2022 Alamo City
SoTx Business Podcast Discusses Auto Manufacturing in Region
South Texas Business Partnership hosted Susann Kuzunas (Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas) & Stephen Mudd (Navistar) at their luncheon at Brooks.SoTx Board Chair Connie Gonzalez (Brooks) facilitated the conversation on the growth of manufacturing in South Texas..Stephen Mudd shared the details about the facilities and operations at Navistar and noted the partnership with education partners like Southside ISD. Susann Kazunas highlighted Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas impact to the region and highlighted
SoTx’s Leadership Academy donates $10,000 to victims of Uvalde school shooting
Contact: Al Arreola, Jr. Al@sotxpartnership.org (210) 240-1764 SoTx’s Leadership Academy donates $10,000 to victims of Uvalde school shooting San Antonio, TX: In response to the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, located 80 miles west of San Antonio, LeadSouth (formally the City South Leadership Academy) is sending funds raised to victims of this tragic event. Each year LeadSouth, a program of SoTx, holds a fundraiser where proceeds benefit the
SoTx gives thanks to healthcare workers in Feel Good Festival appreciation event
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Al Arreola, Jr.Phone: (210) 240-1764Email: Al@sotxpartnership.org SoTx gives thanks to healthcare workers in Feel Good Festival appreciation event May 10, 2022 (San Antonio, Texas) : The South Texas Business Partnership is appreciating healthcare workers May 10th – May 13th as part of their Feel Good Festival programing. “It’s not lost on us what healthcare workers have had to deal with the past two years
40 Under 40 Woman of the Year: SoTx Board Chair Connie Gonzalez
San Antonio Business Journal (March 25, 2022) As the Chief Strategy Officer at Brooks, Connie Gonzalez is establishing the vision for the continued successful growth of the former military base. In 2011 the Air Force ended operations at Brooks Air Force Base. Around the same time, Gonzalez was kicking off her career in communications. She started with an internship at local San Antonio NBC affiliate WOAI-TV News 4 and had ambitions to one day take a seat behind the news anchor desk. “I was ready for that
SoTx Host Panel on Place Making
At the South Texas Business Partnership Monthly Luncheon on Thursday, March 24th, Board Chair Connie Gonzalez moderated a panel discussion regarding private and public partnerships in community place making. (Left to Right) Chairwoman Connie Gonzalez, Joshua Sanders, & James Lifshutz James Lifshutz, shared his experiences developing mixed-use projects on the southern stretch of the San Antonio River. James discussed the risks he took on redeveloping an industrial property near the railroad
VIDA & Valor Club share development plans
On Thursday, February 24th the South Texas Business Partnership hosted a panel discussion regarding private sector projects currently underway in South Bexar County. photos from All Road Lead South: Private Development Luncheon moderated by SoTx Chair Connie Gonzalez.Thad Rutherford, of Southstar Communities shared updates on their VIDA project at the doorstep of the dynamic Texas A&M University - San Antonio. VIDA is owned and developed by award-winning SouthStar Communities. Southstar’s
Organization name change has Southside business leaders looking further south
SAN ANTONIO – Predicting further growth is inevitable, the South San Antonio Chamber Commerce has changed its name after 40 years to South Texas Business Partnership. Its slogan, “All roads lead south,” speaks to its new outlook, said Connie Gonzalez, chair of the organization. “It was time to expand and start really talking to our neighbors.” At its gala earlier this month, mayors from Castroville, Floresville and Somerset joined San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg celebrating the chamber’s
South San Antonio Chamber adopts new name to reflect regional strategy
The organization's focus has expanded to include strategic objectives like advocating for infrastructure improvements and initiatives that enhance workforce development. By W. Scott Bailey – Senior Reporter, San Antonio Business Journal Feb 14, 2022, 3:21pm EST The South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, which has played a key role in the ongoing economic growth occurring in a sector of the city once long neglected, has rebranded as the South Texas Business Partnership. The name change reflects
Local high school students compete in 4th annual Alamo City Electrathon
Published: January 21, 2022, 6:23 PM Students competed in the 4th annual Alamo City Electrathon on Friday. This race is one of just 12 sanctioned electric car racing events in North America. Students from area high schools and even Louisiana competed to raise awareness for STEM education and programs. Photojournalist Robert Samarron captured the sights and sounds of today's race.
