Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones is pulling together a new group of local economic advisers ahead of a trade mission to Taiwan.
Jones announced the members of her Economic Security Advisory Group on Monday, comprised of business leaders, research institution heads and retired military officers that will counsel city officials when it comes to several technology-related sectors.
The group will focus on artificial intelligence, quantum technology, biotechnology and space manufacturing, said Jones, who before becoming mayor was a top Pentagon official and has been leaning on those connections in hopes of boosting San Antonio’s economy.
It will be chaired by Jim Perschbach, President and CEO of Port San Antonio, one of Jones’ earliest allies from the business community.
The group is intended to help city officials build public-private partnerships and stay up to date on those tech sectors in and outside San Antonio. Jones added that the group could also provide input on policy decisions, including how investments like the city’s upcoming more than $500 million infrastructure bond could help grow those industries. It will meet at least quarterly, the mayor said.
“These are foundational technologies and growing sectors that will be needed to power the global economy, and San Antonio will lead the way,” Jones said.
The security part of the Economic Security Advisory Group was on full display Monday. The group includes a retired U.S. Air Force General and U.S. Navy Vice Admiral. CEOs from military suppliers Knight Aerospace and Darkhive and cybersecurity companies and consultants Forward Edge-AI and Javilud will also be represented.
Jones said she will also look to the group for broader strategies on keeping tech industry companies and jobs in San Antonio.
Roman Sandoval, an ESAG member, founded Allosense, a company that designs testing and sensor systems for manufacturers.
He said at Monday’s event that he wants to see city policies that encourage investment in small tech companies and give them access to local manufacturing resources.
Council member Misty Spears (D9) said San Antonio’s robust military presence and existing cybersecurity and bioscience industries are a good foundation for ESAG. She’s also looking to the group for strategic advice on policymaking and expanding the U.S. military footprint.
“This is a great way to get a bird’s-eye view,” Spears said.
Rene Dominguez, CEO and President of VelocityTX, added that meeting regularly would get officials from the private, public and research sectors on the same page. VelocityTX is an economic development nonprofit focused on bringing life science companies to an Eastside research park. The leaders of Texas Biomedical Research Institute and the Southwest Research Institute will also both sit on the panel.
Private sector representatives on ESAG could help pitch San Antonio to companies and investors from outside the city, Dominguez added.
Part of the group’s success would be defined by its role in those broader regional efforts to attract jobs and employers to San Antonio, said Jeff Webster, president and CEO of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. He praised Jones’ efforts to focus on the city’s core industries.
“Since the mayor has been elected, she has had an open-door policy,” Webster said. “It’s been a good relationship with the business community.”
Councilmember Edward Mungia (D4) also attended the announcement.
Nest stop: Taiwan
Members of the ESAG and Greater:SATX are scheduled to accompany Jones on a trade mission to meet with Taiwanese businesses this weekend.
It’s a follow-up effort to a visit from the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturer’s Association in August 2025. Jones hopes to sign a three-way agreement with Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and Kumamoto, Japan, with a focus on business development and the semiconductor industry to the existing sister city relationship between the three cities.
“I’m thankful that several ESAG members will join me on the trip as we make the best case possible for why San Antonio is where our Taiwanese partners need to set up shop,” she said.
Jones has talked up the importance of bringing in new manufacturing jobs and wages to San Antonio’s economy at recent events for Toyota and Sanko, both of which are working on new Southside facilities.
