Prado is a senior supply chain manager at Boeing. She serves on the city’s Airport Advisory Board and started a nonprofit that supports women pursuing careers in aviation.
Please tell voters about yourself.
I’m Lina Prado, I was born in the Dominican Republic. My journey to the U.S. began when my mother and I immigrated after years of navigating a challenging system. Growing up, I excelled in school while helping in my mother’s hair salon, learning the value of hard work and education. I believe firmly in the American Dream and strive to help others achieve it.
I started my education in a technical school, earning my aircraft mechanic license while working full-time as a laborer. This hands-on experience laid a strong foundation for my career, and I have since advanced to become a Senior Supply Chain Leader overseeing a substantial government portfolio. I lead over 100 employees and manage multi-million-dollar contracts, and I am an advocate for transparency and local job creation.
As a co-founder of a local nonprofit, I work to provide scholarships for students pursuing aviation careers. I’ve also served on the San Antonio Airport Advisory Commission and various education boards. Family is my pride and joy; my husband and I have two wonderful children and are deeply rooted in our Southside community.
What three issues do you consider to be most pressing for Precinct 1 and how do you plan to address them?
My goal is to enhance the quality of life for residents in Precinct 1. To do so we need a strategic approach that addresses rising crime, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to amenities and healthcare. Here’s a focused plan:
- Public Safety Initiatives: Collaborate with law enforcement to secure necessary resources and training. Implement community-based programs that encourage neighborhood watch groups and youth engagement, fostering a safer environment through proactive prevention strategies.
- Infrastructure Development: Prioritize the construction and maintenance of critical infrastructure, such as roads connecting residents to hospitals and schools. This includes improving public transportation options and ensuring pedestrian-friendly pathways to enhance accessibility. This also includes internet access to allow our residents to connect with healthcare providers and resources.
- Healthcare Accessibility: Partner with local healthcare providers to expand services in underserved areas. This could involve mobile clinics, telehealth services, and community health workshops to educate residents on available resources.
By addressing these key areas, we can create a safer, more connected community that enhances the overall well-being of our residents. All the items mentioned above are critical to our residents and they need an advocate.
As the county considers tightening its belt on capital projects, which infrastructure needs do you believe are the most pressing, and which ones are you willing to put on the back burner?
The most pressing infrastructure needs are those directly impacting public safety and daily life. For example, areas like Alamo Ranch and highway 211 experience severe congestion, delaying first responders and increasing insurance costs for residents.
Additionally, some parts of the precinct still have sand roads, making it difficult for children to be dropped off safely after school and impacting residents’ access to essential services. Addressing these issues should be a priority.
On the other hand, projects focused on beautification or non-essential amenities can be put on hold. We need a strategy that prioritizes critical infrastructure based on feasibility, necessity, and the value it provides to residents. By focusing on roads and access, we can ensure that first responders can reach emergencies quickly, and our community has the infrastructure needed for safety and quality of life.
What role do you believe the county should play in encouraging voting, expanding voting access and registering voters? (
The county should always encourage voting but must do so responsibly and impartially. Recently, a $400k contract was awarded to a partisan organization that didn’t meet the qualifications, without a clear justification for issuing a sole-source contract. Instead of a formal contract with key performance indicators (KPIs), the county issued a purchase order (PO), which limits our ability to measure the organization’s performance.
This lack of oversight is unacceptable and risks misusing taxpayer dollars. Moving forward, I believe the county must focus on transparency and accountability in how we allocate resources for voter outreach. Rather than duplicating existing efforts, the county should collaborate with established, bipartisan organizations to promote voting access while ensuring every dollar spent can be justified and measured for impact. We must promote voting in a way that aligns with our fiscal responsibilities and respects the integrity of the electoral process.
How would you solicit input and feedback from constituents?
As a candidate, I’ve employed strategies from my leadership roles to stay connected with residents. I’ve hosted numerous meet-and-greet events across Precinct 1, encouraging open dialogue about issues impacting the community. I make it a priority to be accessible, ensuring residents feel heard and supported. Through these engagements, I’ve helped connect people to resources, organized community events like bulk trash pickups, and hosted small business conference to promote local economic growth.
My focus is on delivering tangible results by taking action on the concerns raised. Moving forward, I’ll continue this hands-on approach, actively engaging with constituents to ensure their needs are addressed and their voices are represented.
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