Celebrating over 20 years and inspired by a true San Antonio Icon, the Alexander Briseño Leadership Development Program (ABLDP) announces its class of 2020. The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SAHCC) has selected 31 business professionals take part in this year’s ABLDP program.

The leadership program has inspired and graduated many leaders in our community and has been successful in creating impactful community initiatives such as the annual VIA GoCodeSA Codeathon, ReadySAGo! Transit on Tap brewery event series, and the RAICES Court Observer Program in partnership with St. Mary’s University, to name a few.

Our participants will be immersed in educational sessions that address topics that spark an interest in becoming a change-agent in San Antonio. Topics include strategic planning leading and managing change; building great teams; improving quality both operationally and culturally; and creating and sustaining professional and organizational results. In addition to developing individual and organizational leadership acumen, the program serves as a social innovation accelerator to foster social and economic impact action teams.

“Leadership is not cancelled at the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, we welcome this group of emerging leaders to the Alexander Briseño Leadership Development Program,” said the Hispanic Chamber’s Interim President & CEO MajGen (USMC Ret) Juan G. Ayala “During these unprecedented times, we look forward to seeing the participants create a positive and meaningful impact in our community through their team projects while recommending tangible solutions to challenges through civic leadership and social innovation.”

Named after Mr. Alexander Briseño, retired San Antonio City Manager, distinguished Professor of Public Service in Residence at St. Mary’s University and Hispanic Chamber 2013 Chairman of the Board, this year’s program will provide participants with a unique opportunity to learn from our community and business leaders who will share their personal experiences, achievements and challenges that they encounter as leaders in both the public and private sectors.

“We are thrilled to have such an exceptional group of future leaders as part of this year’s program,” said Dr. Erika Gonzalez, Chairwoman of the Board of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Now, more than ever, we recognize the need for action-oriented leadership and look forward to cultivating leaders that will lead our community with innovation and compassion.”

This year’s Steering Committee comprised of 14 ABLDP alumni led by tri-chairs Santiago Jaramillo of VIA Metropolitan Transit, Maria Nelson of RS&H, Inc., and Jason Rodriguez of HNTB Corporation.

The Hispanic Chamber congratulates the following 31 individuals who were selected to participate in this year’s highly competitive program:

Jennifer Adamo, Trinity University

Lori Alvarez, Nationwide

Robert Arzola, JLL

Ibissa Azcona, USAA

Kristin Baer, Defense Language Institute English Language Center

Jennifer Brooklyn, The RK Group

Jose Cordova, CPS Energy

Osvaldo Crespo III, Trinity University

Maricela Diaz-Wells, VIA Metropolitan Transit

Cassian Flores, Generations Federal Credit Union

Georgina Garcia, City of San Antonio

Angela Gonzales, USAA

Jasmine Grant, Schulman, Lopez, Hoffer & Adelstein, LLP

Ramiro Guerrero, USAA

Larnzell Harper, VIA Metropolitan Transit

Dirce Hernandez, USAA

Norbert Geremy Landin, STAAMP Allergy

Melissa Lopez, CPS Energy

George McCauley, CPS Energy

Rachel McCubbin Roberts, The IMG Studio

Daniel Mendez, San Antonio Water System

Aaron Mireles, USAA

Tiffany Price, dwg.

Kristal Rios, Nationwide

Roxy Rios, Division Laundry & Cleaners

Heriberto Rodriguez, CAST Schools Network

Melanie Tawil, SwipeTrack Solutions, LLC

Hilaria Tellez, USAA

Maria Torrez, Nationwide

Lynnnette Villarreal, UT Health of San Antonio

Suzanne Westrum, San Antonio Board of Realtors

A special thanks you to the 2020 ABLDP Steering Committee:

Steering Committee Tri-Chairs:

Santiago Jaramillo, VIA Metropolitan Transit

Maria Nelson, RS&H, Inc.

Jason Rodriguez, HNTB Corporation

Steering Committee Members:

Brittany Alonzo, USAA

Rachel Brehm, dwg.

Simon Castillo, CPS Energy

James Chandler, The IMG Studio

Delia Covo, Teach for America/Edible San Antonio

Jennilee Garza, The University of Texas at San Antonio

Gladys Hernandez, Leadership SAISD

Karen Ivy, Texas A&M University-San Antonio

Stacy Jones, Centro San Antonio

Jessica Leal, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Health System

Matthew Loaiza, San Antonio Public Library

Christopher Mammen

Terry Rawe, Nationwide

Marissa Rodriguez, Incarnate Word High School

2020 Facilitator:

Winslow Swart, One Million Dreams

About ABLDP

The mission of the Alexander E. Briseño Leadership Development Program (ABLDP) is to enrich leadership and professional development through strategic planning, change management, teamwork, sustainability, and civic engagement.

The ABLDP will provide you with the skills to succeed in today’s working environment. The program provides networking and learning opportunities with existing and emerging civic and corporate leaders in San Antonio, as well as promoting leadership on boards and commissions.

The program is named after retired San Antonio City Manager and former San Antonio Water System Board of Trustees Chairman, Alexander E. Briseño. Mr. Briseño retired as City Manager in March 2001 after almost 11 years in office. As Chief Executive Office, he managed the administration of a full-service municipal government as directed by City Council and oversaw an annual budget of $1.2 billion. Mr. Briseño supervised the activities of all city departments with 12,000 employees, serving a community of more than 1.1 million residents and 417 square miles. Mr. Briseño has also been appointed Professor of Public Service in Residence at St. Mary’s University where he teaches graduate courses in public administration. The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is proud to have its premier leadership development program named after such a distinguished public servant.