River Foundation Committees

Representing San Antonio

The San Antonio River Foundation relies on several committees comprised of both Board members and community volunteers to assist with fundraising, selection of aesthetic enhancements to be funded, and environmental/educational programs. In addition, Board members serve on internal committees that include Community Relations, Executive, and Nominating.

• Capital Campaign Committee
• Art & Architecture Committee
• Environmental Committee
• Paver Committee

Capital Campaign Committee

In January 2007, the San Antonio River Foundation launched its capital campaign, co-chaired by Ed Whitacre, former CEO of AT&T, and Barbara Dreeben, housewife and community leader. With strong support from Mayor Phil Hardberger, the one-year Leadership Phase raised $13 million from the following generous corporations, foundations and individual donors:

• AT&T
• Frost Bank
• H-E-B
• McCombs Foundation
• Rio Perla
• Toyota Manufacturing, Texas
• The USAA Foundation
• Valero Energy Corporation
• Members of the Board of the San Antonio River Foundation

2008

The second year of the campaign is underway, with Tom Stephenson, President and Publisher of the San Antonio Express-News, and Barbara Dreeben, Community Leader, co-chairing a committee of 12. Their goal is to raise $20 million from the private sector during the next twelve-month fundraising phase. By completion of the San Antonio River Improvements Project in 2012, the Foundation expects to have raised a total of $50 million for the enhancements that will make San Antonio's new linear park truly remarkable.

* Denotes San Antonio River Foundation Board Member

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Art & Architecture Committee

Comprised of 5 San Antonio River Foundation Directors and 18 advisory members representing local arts organizations, architectural firms, the City of San Antonio, and diverse fields related to the project, this Committee guides the River Foundation’s Board in its selection of art projects and other enhancements for the new linear park.

* Denotes San Antonio River Foundation Board Member

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Environmental Committee

Organized in December 2007, this new committee will include members with expertise in environmental issues, habitat restoration, eco-system maintenance, urban planning, and other fields related to this aspect of the San Antonio River Improvements Project. Their recommendations will guide the Foundation’s Board in its development of educational programs and environmental policies.

Weldon W. Hammond, Jr., Ph.D., Chairman*
Director, Center for Water Research, University of Texas at San Antonio

Roberto Anguiano
Board of Directors, San Antonio Water Systems
Mission Trails Project Oversight Committee and the River Improvement Oversight Committee
Chairman, Founding Committee of the Mission San Jose Association
Mayor’s Advisory Panel, San Antonio River Commission

Jim Boenig
Engineering Manager, San Antonio River Authority

Genie Cooper, MA, AICP
Private Consulting, Historic Preservation Specialist

Lacy Halstead
Executive Director, Headwaters Coalition

Richard Heilbrun, MS, Biology
Urban Biologist, Texas Parks and Wildlife San Antonio

John Garland, MS, Environmental Engineering
Retired Colonel, USAF, former Director, Vice Commander, Brooks AFB
Master Naturalist

Joan Kelleher*
Board of Directors, Herbert D. and Joan N. Kelleher Charitable Foundation
Board of Directors, A.S. Gage Foundation

Lee Marlowe
Natural Resource Manager,
San Antonio River Authority

Clifton McNeel*
Past Chair, San Antonio River Authority Board of Directors

Jeff Neathery
Mission Reach Subcommittee Chair, San Antonio River Oversight Committee

Patty Leslie Pasztor
Botanical/Horticultural Consultant, Author
Advisory Board Bexar Land Trust
Advisory Board Friedrich Wilderness Park

Mark A. Peterson
Project Coordinator, Conservation Department, SAWS
Certified Forester

Adair Sutherland*
Board of Directors, San Antonio River Authority

Neil Thomas
Project Manager, Jacobs Carter Burgess

Steve Whitesell
National Park Service
Mission Reach Subcommittee, San Antonio River Oversight Committee

Ex-Officio Members

Judy Babbitt, Urban Planner
City of San Antonio, Department of Public Works, Disability Access Office

Eric Lautzenheiser
Nature Preserve Superintendent
City of San Antonio

* Denotes San Antonio River Foundation Board Member

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Paver Committee

Organized in December 2007, the Paver committee oversees the planning, sales and installation of engraved bricks (pavers) to raise additional funds and for families and organizations to show support for the project. This committee includes members with expertise in architecture, urban planning, marketing, public relations and fundraising.

Andrés Andújar, Co-Chairman*
Architecture Leader
Parsons Architecture

Michael Austin, Co-Chairman*
President
Capital Partners Financial Group, USA, Inc.

Ben E. Brewer, III
President
Downtown Alliance San Antonio

Kathryn Callaway
Director of PR Strategy
KGB Texas

Edward “Sonny” Collins*
Retired Businessman

Catherine Nixon Cooke*
Executive Director
San Antonio River Foundation

Blakely Latham Fernandez
Attorney
Tuggey, Rosenthal, Pauerstein, Sandoloski, Agather, LLP

Lori Houston
Special Projects Manager
City of San Antonio

Brad Ipema*
Senior Vice President
eCommerce & Marketing Counsel
USAA

John H. Mize, AIA
Principal, Chief Operating Officer
Ford Powell & Carson, Inc.

Michelle Pair
Private Banker
JP Morgan

Mark Sorenson
Project Manager for Museum Reach
San Antonio River Authority

* Denotes San Antonio River Foundation Board Member