In this episode of Beyond the Bite, host Eddie Aldrete is in conversation with Jeff Webster, the newly appointed CEO of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, and Katie Harvey, the outgoing board chair who spearheaded the CEO selection process.

Jeff shares his plans and objectives as the new CEO, with a focus on supporting the local business community and enhancing economic development in the city. He also emphasizes the Chamber's role in advocacy at local, state, and federal levels. Katie provides insight into the CEO selection process, the changes made to the board structure, and why the merger with the North Chamber didn’t pan out.

An enlightening discussion takes place regarding the challenges faced by all chambers due to changing business land political landscapes, prompting a conversation about how chambers can readjust their value proposition in a post-pandemic world.

Finally, the episode ends with all three agreeing on the need for more unity and collaboration within the business community to ensure its growth and success.

Tune in to BTB Ep 18 - to learn about Jeff Webster, the transformative changes happening at the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, and how it aims to provide value and support to businesses in San Antonio amidst an evolving business landscape.

https://www.sachamber.org/

https://www.sachamber.org/events/2023/12/14/special-events/annual-gala/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-webster-845b428/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-harvey-7299143/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddie-aldrete-2b738a7/

Podcast Production Services by EveryWord Media

In today's episode, we sit down with San Antonio River Authority board candidate Liza Gonzalez Barratachea, who will take us on a journey through the role and purpose of the River Authority in managing water resources, and the need for public engagement in safeguarding our natural spaces.

Liza, born and raised in San Antonio, is a passionate advocate for water policy and has been actively involved in civic activities for many years. She is excited to share her insights and discuss her goals with River Authority should she be elected to serve.

Join us as we delve into the vital work SARA does in ensuring water safety, managing floodplains, and connecting with the community.

We'll explore the impact of environmental education on our children and fostering a sense of responsibility toward our environment. Liza will shed light on the River Authority's mission, emphasizing the importance of managing water resources beyond San Antonio and the need for collaboration with various organizations and districts.

So, grab your headphones and get ready to dive into a compelling conversation about the intersection of education, water policy, and community engagement. Let's begin!

https://www.sariverauthority.org/

https://www.voteliza.com/

Podcast Production Services by EveryWord Media

In this episode, we continue our conversation with award-winning Washington Post journalist, Arelis Hernandez who discusses her coverage of the tragedy in Uvalde, Texas. Hernandez shares her firsthand experience of receiving the news, rushing to the scene and the challenges she faced in gathering accurate information in the chaos and confusion that ensued. Hernandez also highlights the months-long investigation conducted by The Washington Post, revealing failures by law enforcement that were featured in a 30-minute documentary she produced along with her colleagues Joyce Sohyun Lee and Sarah Cahlan at the Washington Post.

Additionally, Hernandez delves into the importance of understanding borderland history and the impact it has on contemporary events. She emphasizes the importance of journalism in uncovering the truth and shedding light on the complexities of border culture as well as the loss of local news coverage when small town newspapers go out of business.

This thought-provoking episode offers a glimpse into the world of journalism and the significance of telling Texas stories from South Texas and sharing them with the rest of the country.

Washington Post documentary: Police who botched Uvalde shooting response face few consequences.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq7Y6Lp30Sg

Podcast Production Services by EveryWord Media

In part one of this two-part episode of Beyond the Bite, we dive into the fascinating journey of Arelis Hernandez, a San Antonio-based journalist with The Washington Post who covers South Texas politics as well as immigration and border-related issues.

She takes us through her path in journalism, to explaining how she landed at the Washington Post, and discusses how an election got her assigned to Texas. Once she landed in San Antonio, she cover the competitive election in the 28th congressional district currently held by Congressman Henry Cuellar, as well as how and why Donald Trump won Zapata County -- a long time Democrat stronghold.

As a result of these and other elections, Hernandez has discovered that understanding the unique border culture and the people residing in these regions can provide valuable insights into electoral behavior. While her colleagues at the Post focus more on border policy, Hernandez keeps her focus on the impact the fluid border has on Texas border communities and the people who call that region home.

Links and Resources:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq7Y6Lp30Sg&t=198s
• https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/arelis-r-hernandez/

@arelisrhdz

@WashPostPR

@washingtonpost

@arelisrhdz

@CuellarCampaign

@ABishopGustavo

@TxDPS

@DHSgov

@joyceslee

@SarahCahlan

@mollyhf

Podcast Production Services by EveryWord Media

Managing a utility isn't easy, and when you throw in a once in a hundred year winter storm, record breaking heat waves, pandemic supply chain backlogs, inflation, and supply and demand lines that come close to crossing too often, well that makes life a little more challenging. But that's the job Rudy Garza signed up for when he became the permanent CEO for CPS Energy. In this episode, we will hear how he manages all of that plus sustainability, affordability and the concerns of the community.

Links and Resources:

• CPS Energy Vision 2027
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/cps-energy/
• @DrAdrianaD4 (Twitter)
• @MarioBravo (Twitter)
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudy-d-garza-sa/

Podcast Production Services by EveryWord Media

Texas House Bill 2127 is officially called the “Texas Regulatory Consistency Act,” but others know it as the “Stay In Your Lane Bill,” and even the “Death Star Bill.” But as of September 1, 2023, everyone will have to call it the law.

On one side of the bill are the job creators and paycheck providers that heavily supported its passage to limit municipalities and counties from rules, ordinances or any type of regulation that fall under state jurisdiction. On the other side are municipalities that want to mandate employee benefits like paid sick leave, labor union supported issues like predictive scheduling and other issues. Supporters say the bill allows consistency in compliance by having one standard to follow instead of different rules in different cities that would create a compliance nightmare.

Join us in this episode as we sit down with bill author, State Representative Dustin Burrows of Lubbock and National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Texas State Director Annie Spilman. At the conclusion of our interview, listen in a small business roundtable conducted by San Antonio City Councilman Marc Whyte.

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The budget proposed by City Manager Erik Walsh is revealing in its response to resident needs and concerns. It will put more cops on the streets, work harder and smarter to shelter the homeless, and it identifies the massive expansion and renovation of our airport as a top priority. If you have called 311 to get a hold of Animal Care Services, there’s a good chance no one answered your call. That’s about to change.

Links and Resources:

• FY 2024 Proposed Budget
• Video of City Manager Erik Walsh Presenting 2024 Budget

Podcast Production Services by EveryWord Media

There is a new political player in town and their members’ goal is to elect people to the San Antonio City Council who have a shared, community vision, not a political ideology.  They call themselves a Coalition of the Willing that represents the Employee and the Employer.  But the important thing to know is that they are active and engaged in city politics now, and they want candidates to know they are ready to talk.  Hear about what drove them to get started, what role they played in the May 6th and June 10th elections, and what their plans are for the 2025 race for San Antonio Mayor.

Links and Resources

• https://www.saequity.org/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahgraymarino/

Sponsorship:

• EveryWord Media

As chairman of the US House Budget Committee, West Texas Congressman Jodey Arrington spends a lot of his time trying to convince his colleagues to stop spending money we don’t have. In this episode he talks about his love for West Texas and the hard-working, God-fearing people of the 19th congressional district of Texas. We also discuss his concerns about the Chinese government and what he’s looking for in the next president of the United States.

Links and Resources

• https://twitter.com/RepArrington
• https://www.instagram.com/repjodeyarrington/
• @BeyondTheBiteEA
• @AldreteEddie
• https://budget.house.gov/
• https://arrington.house.gov/

Sponsorship

• EveryWord Media

Former Congressman Will Hurd jumps into the presidential race.  He says this country needs a “reboot,” we need solid leadership, and says Americans need to move on from Donald Trump.  The former CIA Director also says we need to fear the Chinese government, not their people or culture, but their government and that we are most definitely in a Cold War with China. Inspired by his new wife, Lynlie, Hurd is ready to show America a different style of leadership.

Links and Resources

• https://www.willbhurd.com/
• Twitter: @WillHurd
• Instagram: willhurd
• Instagram: Lynlie
• @AldreteEddie
• @BeyondtheBiteEA

Sponsorship

• www.everywordmedia.com