Our History

2011

• Celebrated becoming the country’s home of military medical training

2010

• Created the Energy and Sustainability Committee

2009

• Supported the creation of Centro San Antonio, helping downtown redevelopment

• Developed a San Antonio Cyber Action plan

• Secured Cyber Command (24th Air Force) for S.A.

• Hosted “A Conversation with the Mayors,” a panel discussion with all past mayors about S.A.’s future

2008

• Helped pass term limit reform for the S.A. City Council and Mayor

• Helped establish asister-city agreement with Chennai, India

• Helped pass funding for improving Municipal Auditorium, the River Walk extension, Freeman Coliseum/Rodeo Grounds and the AT&T Center and expanding amateur sports facilities

2007

• Developed “Pathways to a Great City,” a report on improving arts, sports and parks facilities; retaining young professionals; increasing education and funding transportation improvements

• Supported the development of nuclear and sustainable energy resources for long-term energy supply

2006

• Supported the Linear Creekways and Parks Development plan, creating more parks along Salado Creek

• Garnered support for the redevelopment of Main Plaza downtown

• Initiated and supported the City’s Business Service Center, a “One Stop Shop” for efficient permitting

• Urged the City to purchase the land for Hardberger Park

2005

• Helped bring 10,000 new jobs and $8 billion+  in construction to local bases through BRAC

• Helped PGA Tour secure approval for two TPC championship golf courses and a J.W. Marriott Resort

• Launched BioMed SA, an organization promoting the growth of the health care/biomedical industry

2004

• Helped create an Advanced Transportation District and funding for VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority

2003

• Helped negotiate the agreement that brought Toyota Manufacturing North America to S.A.

2002

• Formed the Alliance of Chambers

• Served as a partner in creating the San Antonio Mobility Coalition (SAMCo)

2001

• Partnered with SATAI to produce the inaugural South Texas Funding Forum (venture capital funding)

• Secured legislation creating Brooks City Base

2000

• Helped secure $1.25 million in City funding needed for infrastructure at KellyUSA/Port San Antonio

1996

• Negotiated the agreement that formed the San Antonio Trauma Consortium

1993

• Organized and helped host the U.S. Olympic Festival

1992

• Visited Southwestern Bell as S.A. welcomed the largest corporate relocation in the city’s history

• Hosted a lunch with The White House after signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement

1991

• Created the Operation Desert Storm Support Project to assist military personnel and families

1990

• Formed a Military Strategic Planning Task Force, strengthening S.A.’s position as “Military CIty, USA”

1989

• Created sister-chamber agreement with the Kumamoto Chamber of Commerce (Kumamoto City, Japan)

• Provided support for the AAU/USA Junior Olympic Games

1988

• Created San Antonio Sports

• Helped secure doctoral programs in engineering, biology and computer science at UTSA

• Helped secure funding for the new hospital at  Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC)

1987

• Helped establish direct flights from San Antonio to Mexico City and Acapulco

1984

• Secured approval/funding for Highway 151

• Endorsed the construction of the Alamodome

1983

• Endorsed expansion of the Alamo Community College District’s boundaries to the city limits

1975

• Created Leadership San Antonio (LSA)

• Helped coordinate Alamo Plaza redevelopment

1974

• Created the San Antonio Economic Development Foundation (EDF)

1973

• Led efforts to protect Kelly AFB and Randolph AFB by limiting urban encroachment around runways

1972

• Supported construction of the McAllister Freeway – US 281

• Authorized $25,000 for economic feasibility study on sports in S.A.

1970

• Raised $12,000 to help pay for an Air Transportation Study to expand the airport

1969

• Supported $675,000 of road bonds for FM 1604, a 95-mile loop around S.A.

• Funded a $25,000 feasibility study of HemisFair Plaza

1968

• Hosted HemisFair

• Lobbied for creation of UTSA and UT Health Science Center at San Antonio

1958

• Initiated a river development program, leading to the creation of the River Walk

1951

• Coordinated the Produce Terminal Market, the first major produce terminal in the U.S. built by private capital

1950

• Created and started the San Antonio Livestock Exposition

1948

• Developed a master highway plan for the city/county and presented it to the Texas Highway Commission as the basis of our local highway system 

1946

• Formed the South Texas Medical Foundation, which developed the South Texas Medical Center

1944

• Created a Farm and Ranch Committee, which developed the Freeman Coliseum complex

1942

• Negotiated moving Trinity University from Waxahachie to S.A.

1927

• Developed/executed plans to purchase land for Randolph AFB

1917

• Assembled 8,000 acres of land, helping create Kelly AFB (now Port San Antonio)

• Assembled 873 acres of land, helping create Brooks AFB (now Brooks City Base)

1911

• Created the Fiesta Association

1894

• The Greater Chamber opened as Business Mens Club of S.A.