City of San Antonio’s Major General (USMC Ret) Juan G. Ayala will serve the chamber as a part-time loaned executive and will continue his duties at the City of San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO (March 2, 2020) – Today, the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (SAHCC) Board of Directors announced Major General (USMC Ret) Juan G. Ayala as the Interim President and CEO of the organization. Major General Ayala retired from the United States Marine Corps after 36 years of service and has a proven record of success leading large organizations. He is currently the Director for the Office of Military and Veteran Affairs for the City of San Antonio where he serves as the City’s liaison to the military supporting the Mayor, City Council and City departments. General Ayala will continue to oversee his main duties with the City of San Antonio while serving as interim president and CEO for the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce until the next CEO is installed.

A native of El Paso, Texas, prior to Major General Ayala’s retirement, he commanded all 24 Marine Corps installations worldwide and was selected to lead the Department of Defense’s 2015 Warrior Games assisting the nation’s wounded, ill and injured warriors in their recuperative efforts. He is the former Inspector General of the Marine Corps, and his service includes 4 combat tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and included a year as the Senior Advisor of a Military Transition Team, embedded with the 1st Iraqi Army Division.

“As a Veteran of the Air Force, I am honored Major General Ayala will serve as the first-ever General in the interim president and CEO role and thankful to Erik Walsh and the City of San Antonio for supporting the Hispanic Chamber. General Ayala’s leadership will be instrumental with continuity and with operations during our transition,” said Dr. Erika Gonzalez, Chairwoman of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “He is a true war hero and leader. General Ayala is a civil servant and will only continue to serve the community while joining our team.”

“I am looking forward to working with this historic organization and preserving and building upon the 91 years the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber has been in existence. Growing relationships with the Hispanic Chamber’s staff, board of directors and most importantly the hundreds of members who make up this incredible organization is essential,” said General Juan. G. Ayala. “I am grateful to the City of San Antonio’s Leadership for supporting this mutual relationship and seeing an opportunity to connect and support small businesses that are keeping our economy strong in our great city.”

“This is a tremendous honor for Juan, and it speaks to the caliber and professionalism of both Juan and the City’s executive team that his leadership is recognized and coveted by an important business group in our community,” said City Manager Erik Walsh. “The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a valuable partner to the City, and I’m glad to be able to loan a key executive during a critical time of transition for the organization.”

General Ayala’s part-time loaned executive agreement with the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce includes the following terms:

1. General Ayala will not be considered a candidate for the permanent position. He intends to return full-time to the City’s Office of Military and Veterans Affairs.
2. General Ayala will remain the primary point of contact for the City with Joint Base San Antonio and the Department of Defense on all military affairs-related issues. He will split his time 50/50 between the City, fulfilling his role as Director of OMVA, and SAHCC, with the chamber reimbursing the City for 50 percent of his compensation during his period of service to SAHCC.
3. General Ayala is subject to being recalled to the City full-time at any time should pressing issues warrant.

The Hispanic Chamber has formed a CEO Search Committee made up of community and business leaders.