Q1 2026 has been a quarter full of momentum, meaningful connections, and important work on behalf of our members. This edition of the Council Monitor brings you the latest from RECSA leadership, a look at what we have accomplished together, and a preview of what is coming in Q2. None of it happens without the support of our members, sponsors, and volunteers thank you!
Q 1 | 2 0 2 6
I
N S I D E
PRESIDENT & CEO
Stephanie Reyes
2026 CHAIR
Bernardo de la Garza
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
VICE CHAIR
Caleb Chance
MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
Joyce Watson
PROGRAMS CHAIR
Crystal Acker
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
CHAIR
Britney Christy (Schindler)
P R E S I D E N T A N D C E O
Quarter one is always an exciting time full of new energy, fresh opportunities, and a few unknowns that make the months ahead fun and full of possibility. This year has been no exception, and I couldn’t be prouder of how RECSA has hit the ground running on behalf of our members.
BREAKING GROUND SA
One of the highlights of the quarter was the launch of our RECSA podcast, Breaking Ground SA in late January. What began as an idea to better connect our industry has quickly taken shape as a new platform for conversation, visibility, and engagement. It’s been exciting to see members tuning in, sharing insights, and beginning to build connections in a new way - and we’re just getting started!
BUILDING CONNECTIONS, BUILDING INFUENCE
We’ve also made a strong push in expanding our programming and networking opportunities. From thoughtful panel discussions to more informal gatherings, these moments are where real value is created, where deals start, partnerships form, and ideas move forward. The strength of RECSA has always been in its people, and this quarter proved that again.
Equally important has been our intentional outreach to newly elected and appointed officials. We’ve spent time ensuring they understand who we are, the role our industry plays in shaping San Antonio, and why RECSA deserves a seat at the table. These early conversations matter. They lay the groundwork for more productive collaboration and better outcomes for our members and our community.
I’m proud of the work we’ve done, but even more encouraged by where we’re headed. Thank you for continuing to lean in, stay engaged, and help move RECSA and our industry forward.
C H A I R
As we move through the first quarter of the year, I wanted to share a brief update on the work RECSA has been focused on and the priorities guiding the organization so far in 2026.
This year, RECSA has leaned heavily into its role as an advocate and convener, bringing together public- and private-sector leadership around the real issues shaping San Antonio’s growth. Our advocacy efforts have centered on development process improvements, infrastructure capacity, and the need for greater transparency and accountability at our municipally owned utilities, given their scale and impact on housing affordability and economic competitiveness. As a result of this work, multiple RECSA members have been appointed to SA Climate Ready 2025 subcommittees, ensuring the development community has a meaningful voice in discussions around climate resilience, infrastructure planning, and economic impact.
Member programming has likewise focused on timely, substantive conversations about development trends, infrastructure, and major catalytic projects. Events such as our “From the Ground Up” luncheon reinforced RECSA’s role as a forum for thoughtful dialogue and industry leadership. Building on that momentum, our March program “Foundations of Growth: Real Estate & Infrastructure” brought together CPS Energy and SAWS leadership alongside City Council representation for a candid, solutions-oriented discussion around infrastructure, growth, and affordability.
Financially, RECSA remains on solid footing as we move further into the year, with our largest annual fundraiser Fight Night just around the corner. Fight Night is more than a single event; it is a critical driver of the resources that allow RECSA to advocate effectively and sustain its work year after year. Membership continues to be our primary revenue source, supported by strong program participation and sponsorships. Expenses are tracking generally in line with budget expectations, allowing us to continue investing in advocacy, programming, and communications.
Across all of this work, a consistent theme has been civic engagement — encouraging members to stay informed, participate in local elections, and help elevate the conversation around responsible growth and long-term infrastructure planning. I look forward to building on this momentum together as we move through the remainder of 2026.
G O V E R N M E N T A F F A I R S
The year is already off to a fast start, and RECSA’s Government Affairs has been actively engaged throughout. One of the most notable changes in 2026 is at Bexar County. Art Reinhardt has transitioned from the County to serve as Director of Public Works for the City of San Antonio. In his place, David Wegmann has been appointed Interim County Engineer.
Members of RECSA recently met with David, who shared that his primary focus is to simplify the Bexar County Development Services permitting process. We are encouraged by this direction and look forward to working alongside the County to support these imporvements.
Bexar County is also seeing another major transition with the retirement of Bob Brach. Bob served for many years as the Development Services Engineer before leading the County’s Environmental Division. Throughout his tenure, he worked closely with RECSA on key court orders and permitting tools. While we didn’t always achieve every desired outcome, Bob consistently fostered a collaborative relationship with our organization. We thank
him for his partnership and wish him all the best in his retirement. Tiffany Simper is currently serving as Interim Development Services Engineer. Tiffany has long been a valued partner to RECSA, and we look forward to continuing our strong working relationship with her.
In other developments, the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (CAAP), originally introduced in 2019, has reemerged as part of the Mayor’s initiatives. The City has established a new Department of Resilience and Sustainability, led by Director Laura Patiño. This effort includes the formation of three subcommittees Energy & Buildings; Mobility & Transportation; and Natural Systems, Biodiversity & Climate Adaptation to develop recommendations for the City Council’s CAAP Advisory Committee. Director Patiño has engaged RECSA to help ensure our industry is well represented across all three.
Finally, our Government Affairs team continues to host Development Process Task Force (DPTF) meetings with COSA, Bexar County, SAWS, CPS Energy, and TxDOT. These meetings provide valuable opportunities for collaboration, and we welcome your insight and participation. If you are interested in getting involved, please reach out to RECSA staff.
M E M B E R S H I P
2026 has been off to a strong start for RECSA! We are only three months into the calendar year, and we are pleased to have already welcomed 18 new members. These numbers span our Patron, Corporate, and Small Business levels, as well as Allied Partners, a new membership level created in late 2025. We are also thrilled to welcome our first student members of the year: Brittaney Landon, Rafaele Hunter, Justin Mascorro, and John Perez, all from UT San Antonio!
MEMBERSHIP IN ACTION
Membership events are in full force. Our first two Lattes & Learning sessions, “Turning Tax Rules into Real Estate Advantages,” sponsored by Sol Schwartz & Associates, and “Protecting People, Delivering Excellence: Flintco Safety,” presented by Flintco, were both a great success.
In addition to learning events, the Membership Committee organizes opportunities for current and future members to mix and mingle. We held a Membership 101 luncheon in February at Paloma Blanca to introduce future members to the benefits of joining RECSA and heard leadership lessons from Pape-Dawson’s Cara Tackett at the first “Between Us Girls” lunch of the year, also held in February.
The first quarter culminated with a ‘70s-themed membership mixer hosted by SWBC in celebration of their 50 anniversary, and it was a great turnout! th
As always, the Membership Committee works to enhance the member experience and bring meaningful value to our members. If you have any feedback or ideas, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or Olivia! We thank all of our members for your continued support and involvement!
WELCOME OUR NEWEST Q1 MEMBERS!
DRB Homes
NAI Signs
Setterbo Engineers
CM Consulting
Roland Zamora
Pavecon
DJS Resources
Brittaney Landon
Berger Munson Engineers
BEK Real Estate Advisors
Graybar
Erika Blythe
Corgan
Rafaele Hunter
Matrix Design Group
Justin Mascorro
Chance Decker
John Perez
P R O G R A M S
RECSA kicked off the new year with a series of two outstanding programs, and the energy from our members has been incredible!
FROM THE GROUND UP
In January, we held “From the Ground Up,” a soldout panel discussion at the Security Service Event Center. Moderated by Thad Rutherford (Southstar), and featuring Will Collins (Merit Commercial Real Estate), Jordan Arriaga (Worth & Associates), and Omar Gonzalez (Oxbow Development). The group spoke about the market outlooks for their respective sectors, commercial real estate overall, and their thoughts on downtown’s growth. This program was a strong start to 2026, and we thank Frost Bank and Rogers-O’Brien for making it possible.
FOUNDATIONS OF GROWTH
The momentum continued into March with the “Foundations of Growth” luncheon. In honor of Women’s History Month, the event highlighted three female San Antonio leaders. James McKnight (Ortiz McKnight) led a dynamic conversation with Francine Romero (CPS Energy), Sukh Kaur (San Antonio City CouncilDistrict 1), and Jelynne LeBlanc Jamison (SAWS). Thank you to Brown & McDonald and CPS Energy for your generous sponsorship.
LOOKING AHEAD...
Looking ahead to the second quarter, the annual ULI/RECSA Joint Forum is scheduled for April 27 at the Plaza San Antonio Hotel & Spa. ULI San Antonio and RECSA members will hear from two panels of industry experts on current market conditions, the effect on commercial real estate, and the economic impact of major projects. You do not want to miss this premier event!
Thank you all for supporting our programs. I look forward to seeing you at our next event!
C O M M U N I T Y R E L A T I O N S
The Real Estate Council of San Antonio’s (RECSA) Community Relations Committee is off to a strong start in 2026, advancing plans for our annual Community Project while continuing meaningful support of our partners at Alamo Colleges.
2026 COMMUNITY PROJECT
We are pleased to announce Tyler Smith of Bowman as the 2026 Community Project Chair. Tyler has been a dedicated member of the Committee since its inception and brings both continuity and leadership to this year’s effort.
Tyler has already assembled a team of subcommittee chairs to assist with application review and project execution, ensuring we move efficiently from selection to implementation. The 2026 project application remained open for approximately 30 days and generated an outstanding response from the community.
The Committee anticipates selecting the final project by the end of March, at which point the design phase will begin. We look forward to sharing updates as the project takes shape and continuing RECSA’s tradition of delivering impactful, communitycentered improvements.
ALAMO COLLEGES FOUNDER’S COUNCIL
Our partnership with Alamo Colleges remains a priority. As the District continues its work toward accreditation milestones, RECSA recently assisted with an industry needs assessment hosted by members of the Advisory Board, helping align curriculum and workforce development initiatives with real-world industry demands.
Alamo Colleges District will host the Allied Construction & Trades Symposium on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at St. Philip’s Southwest Campus. This year’s theme, Next-Gen Builders, highlights emerging career pathways, real-world experiences, and the evolving skill sets students need to succeed in today’s trades workforce.
RECSA is proud to support initiatives that strengthen the pipeline between education and the built environment, reinforcing our shared commitment to the future of our industry and community.
There has been tremendous support for our new podcast, Breaking Ground SA. It’s a reminder that the stories we’re telling and the voices we’re highlighting really matter.
Special thanks to Randy Smith, David Adelman, Judge Peter Sakai, Ron Nirenberg, and Marty Wender for sharing their time and insight. Their candid conversations bring fresh perspectives and elevate the dialogue around real estate, development, and San Antonio’s future, making Breaking Ground SA truly meaningful.
We’re also grateful to our sponsors for making it all possible. Your support allows RECSA to amplify important conversations and spotlight the leaders shaping our community.
And a very big thank you to our listeners and viewers. We appreciate you tuning in, sharing episodes, and being part of this journey with us.
Scan to listen to the latest episode of Breaking Ground SA.
Interested in sponsoring a future episode? Contact Stephanie Reyes at stephanier@recsanantonio.com
