The WDC is governed by a 17-member board comprised of representatives from a cross-section of local stakeholders including small and large businesses, neighborhood residents, educational institutions, and non-profit, health, faith-based, and housing organizations. Board Members are appointed by the San Antonio City Council to serve two-year terms.
Executive Committee
Christopher Martinez, Board President
Vice President, Central Electric Enterprises & Company
Executive Committee; Community Outreach Committee; Marketing/Fundraising Committee; Project Development Committee; Finance and Operations Committee
Category: Small Business
Christine Ortega, Board Vice President
Corporate Community Affairs Manager, Southwest Airlines
Executive Committee; Marketing/Fundraising Committee
Category: Neighborhood Resident
Janie Barrera, Board Treasurer
President and CEO, ACCION Texas
Executive Committee; Finance and Operations Committee
Category: Financial Institution
Marisol Martinez, Board Secretary
Owner, Tacos Martinez
Executive Committee; Marketing/Fundraising Committee
Category: Small Business
Steve Saldaņa, Board Assistant Secretary
President/CEO, Catholic Charities
Executive Committee; Project Development Committee
Category: Faith-Based Organization
General Board Members
Mark Hernandez
Co-Owner, True Flavors Culinary Planners
Marketing/Fundraising Committee
Category: Small Business
Stephen O’Donnell
Managing Partner, Hill Country Bakery
Finance and Operations Committee
Category: Large Business
Rod Radle
Executive Director, San Antonio Alternative Housing Corporation
Community Outreach Committee; Project Development Committee
Category: Housing Developer
Dr. Henry Flores
Graduate School Dean, St. Mary’s University
Community Outreach Committee
Category: University
Dr. Tessa Martinez-Pollack
President, Our Lady of the Lake
Project Development Committee
Category: University
Dr. Jesse Zapata
Vice Provost, University of Texas at San Antonio
Category: University
Martha Castilla
Executive Director, Edgewood Family Network
Marketing/Fundraising Committee
Category: Nonprofit Organization
Patricia S. Castillo, L.M.S.W.
Executive Director, P.E.A.C.E. Initiative
Community Outreach Committee
Category: Neighborhood Resident
George B. Hernández, Jr.
President/CEO, University Health System
Finance and Operations Committee
Category: University Health System
Dr. Robert Durón
Superintendent, San Antonio Independent School District
Project Development Committee
Category: San Antonio ISD
Dr. Elizabeth P. Garza
Superintendent, Edgewood Independent School District
Project Development Committee
Category: Edgewood ISD
Choco Meza
President, American Sunrise San Antonio
Project Development Committee
Category: Small Business
Ex-Officio Board Members
Councilwoman Mary Alice P. Cisneros
District 1
Councilwoman Lourdes Galvan
District 5
Councilwoman Delicia Herrera
District 6
Councilman Justin Rodriguez
District 7
