The San Antonio Committee on Economic and Workforce Development voted to extend and amend the Ready to Work advisory board’s composition and confirmed multiple appointments to the board.

The committee approved a resolution to modify the advisory board by lengthening member terms from two years to four years and adding an additional seat for higher education and a seat representing organizations serving people with high barriers to employment. The committee then interviewed candidates and approved a slate of nominees to serve through May 31, 2027.

Why it matters: the Ready to Work advisory board provides guidance on workforce training, employer alignment and budgeting for the city’s Ready to Work program. Changes to composition and term length affect who advises the program and for how long, and committee members said they want stronger attendance and clearer follow-up so seats remain active and representative.

During debate, Councilmember Castillo raised attendance problems with the existing board and pressed staff on enforcement. Castillo said members sometimes miss multiple meetings and asked how the committee would remove or replace members who “consistently miss three meetings in a row.” He requested that staff send an attendance list after the first meeting and that members who miss three meetings be considered for removal. The committee’s staff said the advisory board currently meets roughly three to six times a year and that the resolution preserves the board’s responsibilities while changing composition and term lengths.

City staff described the proposed composition as including seats for employers, participants (current or former), industry representatives, community representatives, trainers or institutions, organizations serving people with high barriers, and two seats for institutions of higher education. The presentation noted that 30 applications were submitted by the September deadline; 25 were deemed qualified and a smaller shortlist was interviewed.

Applicants emphasized outreach and barrier reduction. Alexandra “Ali” Pérez, who said she has 15 years in construction, told the committee she prioritizes attendance and would actively recruit women and high-school students into construction careers. Amanda Wright described herself as a program graduate who later worked in homeless services and emphasized building trust with participants and employers. Other appointees who addressed the committee included Anthony García (a program participant and recruiter), Benjamin Pigwell (employer perspective), María Jiménez Sáenz (healthcare workforce), Priscila Aguilar (Álamo Colleges operations), John Champion (education/IT), and others.

After interviews and a brief executive-session deliberation, the committee approved appointments including Alexandra Pérez (communications organization category), Amanda Wright (previous-development program category), Jennifer Cantú, Stephany Gaines, Benjamin Pigwell and María Sáenz (local employer category), Priscila Aguilar (training / higher education category) and John Champion (higher education). The committee authorized terms through May 31, 2027.

Councilmembers said they support the expanded representation but reiterated the attendance expectation and asked staff for early reports on member participation so the committee can make replacements quickly if needed.

The committee meeting then proceeded to other agenda items.