Jenna Saucedo-Herrera, president and CEO of the economic development nonprofit Greater:SATX, announced Wednesday she is stepping down.
Saucedo-Herrera said in an email to investors that she has decided to return to her corporate roots, joining the financial services firm USAA as an officer. She did not give more specifics on her new role.
“Leading greater:SATX and representing our region has been the privilege of a lifetime,” she said in the email. “Our regional economic development strategy is working, and your investment continues to make a significant impact on San Antonians.”
Following Saucedo-Herrera’s departure on May 12, Hope Andrade, the organization’s executive committee secretary, will serve as interim CEO until a replacement is named.
“Jenna’s leadership has positioned greater:SATX for remarkable growth, and I am committed to ensuring a seamless transition as we continue advancing the mission to drive economic prosperity across our region,” Andrade said in a statement Wednesday.
At USAA, Saucedo-Herrera will work under new leadership at the 102-year-old financial services firm. In January, the USAA Board of Directors named Juan C. Andrade the company’s next president and CEO, replacing Wayne Peacock.
Saucedo-Herrera joined Greater:SATX as president and CEO in 2016 after serving as vice president of public affairs and brand management at CPS Energy.
During her tenure, Saucedo-Herrera worked to advance the diversification and growth of the San Antonio regional economy through domestic and international business development, partnerships and market strategies.
“Collective progress” has been made toward the organization’s goals, Saucedo-Herrera said. “Last year, our San Antonio region was the top job growth market in the state and third in the nation,” she wrote in the email.
Since 2001, more than 17,000 new jobs and $6.6 billion in capital investment have been brought to San Antonio, and “our region has had the fastest growth in educational attainment among peer mentors in the past 5 years,” she added.
Saucedo-Herrera pointed to the organization’s efforts in luring manufacturing company JCB, supporting Toyota’s expansion and attracting consulting firm Guidehouse as measures of its success.
Under her leadership, Greater:SATX has also worked to bring other major employers including Aisin, Accenture, Booz Allen Hamilton, EY, PenFed, Boeing and Victory Capital.
“When I look at our project pipeline, I firmly believe that 2025 will be the best year in this organization’s history,” she wrote.
Greater:SATX’s executive committee chairman Randy Smith said in a statement that the organization’s success under Saucedo-Herrera is just the beginning.
“There’s certainly more work to be done and we’ve built a team that is every bit ready for the challenge,” he said. “Jenna’s leadership truly transformed this organization, and I look forward to seeing her continue to impact our community and region for years to come.”
Saucedo-Herrera is a 2009 graduate of St. Mary’s University, earning a bachelor of business administration in marketing management.
