Roberts, 44, is a digital marketing executive for Adobe who chaired the city’s Small Business Advisory Commission. He also teaches business courses at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. He lives in the Greater Harmony Hills Neighborhood, which was moved into District 1 as a result of redistricting.
Hear from the candidate
The following questions were asked of all City Council candidates.
Please tell voters about yourself.
I was born and raised in District 1. My mother ran our family business, the first dialysis clinic on the South Side, and my father led a nonprofit to fight diabetes. I’ve spent over 40 years in San Antonio and, as a single father, I’ve chosen to raise my two children in the district. I am a graduate of St. Mary’s University with a degree in Business Administration, Marketing & Management, and earned a master’s degree from Tulane University in Business Administration, Marketing & Management. I’m completing my doctorate degree in Business Administration from the University of Incarnate Word.
Professional Experience:
- Prosperas: senior vice president, Global Marketing, 2021–present
- Texas A&M University-San Antonio: adjunct professor of marketing, 2016–2017/2020–present
- Adobe: senior strategic value advisor, 2018–2023
- Acxiom: director, Partnership Marketing, 2016–2017
- IBM: worldwide lead Product Marketing, Customer Analytics, 2015–2016
- Harland Clarke: senior manager Digital Marketing and Media, 2013–2015
- Rackspace: marketing programs manager, 2008–2013
List any previous experience in government or participation on local boards, commissions, or neighborhood associations.
- American Red Cross-South and Central Texas Area: vice chair/board of directors
- San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: board of directors, Marketing, Membership, Education Committees
- City of San Antonio Small Business Advisory Commission: chair
- City of San Antonio Airport Advisory Commission: at-large appointee
- City of San Antonio Small Business Evaluation Committee: member
- SAWS Community Experience Commission: vice chair
- VIA Transit Community Council (VIA Metropolitan Transit): member
- St. Anthony Catholic School: board of directors
- Northeast Lakeview College: Social Media Marketing Advisory Committee member
- The Leukemia Lymphoma Society: 2022 Students of the Year leadership team
- Harland Clarke: Diversity and Inclusion Committee member
- Rackspace: Diversity and Inclusion Committee founding member
This is my first campaign for elected office.
What three issues do you consider to be most pressing for your district and how would you address them?
As councilman, my priorities would include investing in families and neighborhoods, improving community safety and supporting small, local businesses.
From day one, I will be a champion for District 1 at City Hall. My priority is to build a thriving council district that enjoys upgraded streets, sidewalks, street lights and parks — and that no area is left behind. Together we can build strong families by supporting affordable housing and childcare and by providing access to healthcare. My office would monitor the progress of construction projects and work to ensure they are executed in a timely manner so that things can get back to normal as quickly as possible. I will work with council colleagues to build consensus, and I would do that by treating them with courtesy and respect.
Public safety needs to be improved. San Antonio currently ranks 12th lowest among the top 50 largest cities in the country for police staffing. Logically, we must hire more officers to keep our families safe, protect our vulnerable communities, and meet standards set forth in the city’s Violent Crime Reduction Plan.
Small businesses are the lifeblood of San Antonio. I’ve known this since before I opened my first company at age 19. As chair of the city’s Small Business Advisory Commission, I worked tirelessly to improve equitable growth, promote opportunities for workforce advancement, and help local businesses navigate issues that affected them. I secured $30 million in ARPA money to help protect the income flow for many residents who were affected by the global pandemic. In me, local businesses will have a respectful advocate who will stand up for them and address issues before they turn into insurmountable problems.
Do you support the proposed city charter amendment, known as Proposition A or the Justice Charter, that would bar certain policing tactics, decriminalize abortion and low-level marijuana possession and create a city justice director to oversee criminal justice policy? Why or why not?
I do not support Proposition A. I’ve always supported a woman’s right to choose and believe in decriminalizing low-level marijuana offenses, but this proposed charter amendment will not accomplish either. Cities in Texas are unable to supersede state laws. If Proposition A passes it will contradict and challenge state law, leaving us to waste taxpayer money on attorneys to defend it rather than paying for important city services and addressing the root causes of crime. Moreover, the cite-and-release portion of Proposition A removes officer discretion, which I believe is necessary for officers to properly execute their jobs. I encourage voters to read the Justice Charter language on the sample ballot and do additional research to make their own decision.
How do you feel the city has done at balancing the needs of downtown and the neighborhoods, from bond projects to budget priorities?
I am a proponent of equitable growth — a belief that all parts of the district should receive investment so that no one area gets left behind. Downtown is a critical component of our city’s economic engine, and investments should be made to ensure we are attracting businesses, as well as tourism dollars. Recent upgrades to Hemisfair park, for example, have been good for tourists as well as local San Antonians, and keep our downtown vibrant and active. I recognize the need for these types of investments, but I also believe that we should invest in our neighborhoods to ensure that we have good streets, beautiful parks, and safe communities.
If elected, how do you plan to solicit input and feedback from residents in your district?
I will hold community forums, town halls and information sessions for residents to learn about issues and ask questions. Additionally, my staff and I will meet with stakeholders on proposed policies and projects and keep those who are impacted informed. As councilman, I will be an advocate to deliver real progress and restore accountability. On the dais, I will take an innovative and respectful approach to build consensus and solve problems, using my extensive experience in business, nonprofits and prior involvement with the city.
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