Less than 10 days after winning a narrow re-election victory, Mayor Ron Nirenberg announced two significant staff changes Monday, bringing in Jim Greenwood, former vice president of government affairs for Valero Energy Corp., as his chief of staff and hiring Ivalis Gonzalez Meza as his new point person for public engagement.
The two staff changes, effective immediately, come after Nirenberg fended off a strong runoff challenge from Councilman Greg Brockhouse.
Greenwood replaces Trey Jacobson, a longtime City staffer who worked for Nirenberg since he was elected to the mayor’s office in 2017 and also worked for Mayor Phil Hardberger. Jacobson “is leaving the mayor’s office to pursue other opportunities,” according to the news release.
“Jim brings a wealth of experience from inside and outside government,” Nirenberg said of Greenwood. “I am excited that he has agreed to fill this crucial leadership role, and I know he has the necessary skills to be effective.”
Greenwood, who retired from Valero in 2016 after 20 years with the company, has volunteered for Nirenberg’s office for more than a year, served as board chairman for Family Services of San Antonio, was chairman of the San Antonio Botanical Garden’s $40 million capital campaign, was chairman of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, and worked with then-Mayor Julian Castro to get Pre-K for SA approved by voters, according to a news release issued by the mayor’s office Monday evening.
Meza, who served as Nirenberg’s senior policy advisor and worked on his reelection campaign, was promoted Monday to fill the newly created position of director of policy and public engagement.
“I was elected to represent the people, and my door is open to the community. San Antonians also are going to see more of me in their neighborhoods,” Nirenberg said. “The new public engagement position will enhance and strengthen the public’s relationship with the mayor’s office. Ivalis has proven skills in this area.”
Meza has a degree from St. Mary’s University’s School of Law and has worked for the San Antonio River Authority and Spurs Sports & Entertainment. She previously served on the boards of Healthy Futures of Texas and the Martinez Street Women’s Center.
I’ll wait and see before passing judgement on Mr. Greenwood’s appointment. But I’ll have to admit, it does seem tone-deaf to the calls from the environmental community a priori.
For me the important question put in relief is, what will it take to pass a comprehensive climate plan that meets the goals and spirit of the Paris Agreement here in San Antonio => in a region of south Texas that is so tied to an oil and natural gas economy? In a city with a Councilman (Manny Pelaez) who said, “I’d be malpracticing as a council member if I casually dismissed their (Valero’s and NuStar’s) concerns”? [1]
If Mr. Greenwood’s appointment represents a loss of focus on the Climate Plan, if it represents any kind of giving-away of climate goals, a loss of mission and/or commitment to the necessities which climate science implies, I’ll be very angry.
If his appointment represents a necessary ingredient in bridge-building to the oil & natural gas industry, if he proves himself the steward of the Climate Plan and an ambassador to the fossil fuel and other entrenched, business-as-usual interests able to communicate to them the demands that the climate crisis makes on all of us and the necessity of effective climate action now, then he could be a key ally in assuring the success of the City of San Antonio’s Climate Action & Adaptation Plan.
[1] Source: https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/politics/article/City-Council-to-delay-climate-action-vote-13721571.php
100% agree with your comments.
I had the same concerns. Thanks for the comment Peter Bella.
“I was elected to represent the people…” Ron Nirenberg
I hope these words are sincere. Two campaigns, one term as Mayor and I can only recall seeing him in D2 once at Tony G’s during his second campaign for Mayor.
Neighorhoods collectively, is what makes a city. We have ideas about contributing to improving the city. When do “we” get our chance to pitch-in and help?
My belief is, during the first campaign, Ivy Taylor was the incumbent so, Nirenberg wrote D2 off, conceding to Taylor. Second campaign, State Representative Barbara Gervin-Hawkins, San Antonio Firefighter and the Baptist Ministers Union seemed to team-up against the Mayor so, he again conceded D2. I don’t know why he thinks this District thinks monolithically or why he gives up so easily on a Distinct the size of the entire City of San Francisco?
There are more of us who would support him but, he’s got to “show up!”
We understand the Mayor is a busy person so, we didn’t just wait for him to come to us. We made attempts to seek the Mayor’s insight and at that time his door was not open! He says, his door is now open. In the past, Trey Jacobson was very effective at keeping new ideas out! Now we will see if his words are empty promises or if the Mayor is truly interested in preparing the entire city for SA Tomorrow and SA 2020.
I too want to contribute to improving San Antonio. So, I use this forum to openly ask the Mayor for a sit down to hear ideas from residents and community, not just developers.
Ya know, we’ve got ideas too! I’m hoping my Mayor will help to make my ideas come true too!
I’m rooting for ya Mayor!
That’s a great post, and spot on!
Goals and spirit of Paris agreement? Damaging the economy and surrendering or sovereignty to an anti American enterprise. No thank you.
Agreed. There are no costs given with the plan for good reason. It was not voted on before the election for good reason. There are things SA can do now to improve our climate: stop bowing to developers who clear cut our green canopy and replace it with non-permeable concrete; create more green spaces; stop permitting quarries; enforce regulations already on the books for emissions-including making trucks cover their loads from quarries; work on incentives for carpooling. The Paris Accord was a bad deal for the U.S.–we would destroy our economy while the biggest polluters in the world-China and India- gave a ‘pinky promise’ that they would do better.
SA is a city with a 55% poverty/near poverty rate…the costs that will be associated with the plan will disproportionately harm those at/below median income. If you want to sign on to the spirit–go ahead. If you want it to become policy as presented SA cannot afford it on many levels. Climate policy is only one policy, not the only or most important, this city needs to work on…not when you are a high poverty, low educated city.
As far as the energy companies in SA go….can you imagine this city if they leave? Goodbye high paying jobs, goodbye good corporate citizens and leaders, goodbye SA as a city that welcomes business, goodbye SA as an energy city and all that comes with it! These companies-2 of a handful of major employers- were not even included in the group working on the climate plan. That is shameful. Energy companies are not the enemy-they are, in fact, environmentally conscious in their day-to day operations. Energy independence is important to our economy and national security–esp for those who remember the days of gasoline rationing and being at the mercy of OPEC. Taking action to protect our environment should always be a consideration in city planning-and it will evolve as things change-but it must all be considered in the overall view of life of the citizens.
Are these two positions CoSA civil service positions? What are their annual salaries?
One way or the other, can the taxpayers of San Antonio afford them without elimination other CoSA positions?
My first thought is that maybe RN got the message! Brockhouse was right about the city leaders being disconnected from the average citizen. I hope these appointments- that do not appear to be the old guard or city insiders-will bring more inclusiveness and balance to city government. Make me a believer!
Durand- Each of the elected officials have yearly staff budgets that are not affected by any city staff or administrative function
Must be nice to live in a bubble like that. Time to review staff budgets.
Appointments from someone who was a cheerleader for the guys who gave us disasters at El Centro as well as The Tricentennial debacle….what a track record!Maybe they will tell us where they are hiding the Confederate soldier monument? Don’t hold you transparent breath!
Mr. Dawkins is correct about District 2. There are several projects that will soon be operational such as the RK Group/Red Berry complex which hopefully will spur more development around the AT&T Center. The Child Safe headquarters is almost complete. The new Starbuck’s off of E. Houston and E. Commerce. HEB has a warehouse off of Foster Road as well as the new Schafer Library. The newly relocated City Operations Center on Loop 410 near Rigsby and the interchange construction at IH10 and Loop 410 is underway. It would be advantageous for the Mayor to be more involved on the Eastside to encourage more meaningful development such as a partnership of University Hospital and BAMC for a major medical facility for the growing population in the area along with an entertainment center and restaurants. If it can happen at City Base, it can happen on the Eastside!