2019 Legends Gala Host by the South SA Chamber of Commerce
The 2019 Legends Gala was held on November 22, 2019 at The Westin Riverwalk Hotel, from 6PM-9PM. Hosted by the South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, the focus of the gala was to honor and recognize the people who have continuously given their time and attention to improving San Antonio’s South Side. Those who were commemorated include:
Beatrice Briseno– Beatrice Briseno is a Real Estate Broker and owner of the RE/MAX Unlimited Office on Hot Wells Boulevard. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to promoting sustainable homeownership so that people can become successful 1st time buyers/owners. Briseno has 25+ years of experience in both the Real Estate Industry and in Residential Property Management. When she opened a real estate office in 1997, she was one of the first women Hispanic Real Estate Brokers in San Antonio. In 2006, she turned that real estate office into a RE/MAX franchise on San Antonio’s South Side. It was the first and, as of today, the only RE/MAX office located on the South Side. She has been selected as one of the Top 100 Hispanic Realtors of San Antonio, each years from 2012 to 2017.
Ramiro Cavazos– According to his LinkedIn page, Ramiro Cavazos is dedicated to “growing America’s economy by supporting small, minority and women-owned businesses through advocacy, free trade and access to capital.” Cavazos is the current President & CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in Washington, D.C., a position he’s held since October 2018. Prior to his current position, Ramiro Cavazos held several prominent positions. From 2008-2018, he was the President & CEO of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. From 2006-2008, he was the Director of Research & Economic Development at the University of Texas Heath Science Center at San Antonio. From 2000-2006, he worked for the City of San Antonio as the Director of Development.
Henry Cisneros– Henry Cisneros is a politician and businessman who has been a longtime advocate for things such as educational achievement, housing development, urban revitalization and the Latino community. Cisneros served as a Councilman for the San Antonio City Council for 3 terms, from 1975-1981. At the time of his election, he was the youngest city Councilman in San Antonio’s history, at the age of 27. Cisneros served 4 terms as the Mayor of San Antonio, from 1981-1989. His election made him the first Hispanic to serve as Mayor of a major U.S. city. Under President Bill Clinton, he served as the Secretary of the United States Department of Housing & Development (HUD), from 1993-1997.
Saul Hinojosa– Saul Hinojosa is the current Superintendent of the Somerset Independent School District (ISD), a position he has held since January 2008. The Somerset ISD is a public-school district that is located in portions of Bexar and Atascosa Counties. The district is made up of 7 schools and approximately 3,994 students. In 2010, Hinojosa helped Somerset ISD successfully pass a $13 million bond proposal to build a much-needed, new junior high school. He also helped to enhance Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education with the purchase to 2 STEM labs in 2014. One lab is located at Somerset High School and the other at Somerset Junior High School.
Brooks– Located on the former home of Brooks Air Force Base, Brooks is now a 1,308-acre mixed-use community where 3,200+ people live, learn, play, stay and work. According to their website, their mission is to “promote and develop a vibrant, sustainable community that serves as a catalyst for progressive economic development and regional prosperity,” while their vision is to be a “San Antonio community attracting local, national, and international investment to achieve world-class opportunities that transform the campus, surrounding neighborhoods and the region while respecting our rich and vibrant history.” The community is dedicated to bringing new jobs to South Side. Since its inception, Brooks has attracted 40+ businesses, employing 3,200+ people.
