The City of San Antonio’s CORE Values program recognizes employees who embody:
- Teamwork
- Integrity
- Innovation
- Professionalism
The highest level of this program is the City Manager’s Excellence Award. The City Manager awarded the 8th Annual City Manager’s Excellence Award to employees who have shown outstanding commitment to public service and to the San Antonio community. We congratulate them for their well-deserved recognition.
Individual Recipients
Officer Nicolas Augery
San Antonio Police Department
Officer Nicolas Augery was nominated for the Humanitarian Award for his heroic actions during a family disturbance incident on October 19, 2023. Responding to a suspect attempting to set a house on fire, Augery and Officer Vizcarra came under gunfire. Despite being shot in the hand, arm, and thigh, Augery left cover to assist his wounded partner, Officer Vizcarra, and managed to pull himself back to safety. Both officers sustained serious injuries and were treated at SAMMC Hospital, while the suspect was arrested and charged with two counts of Attempted Capital Murder of a Police Officer. Officer Augery's courage and selflessness in a life-threatening situation exemplify his commitment to protecting others.
Victor Valdez
Parks & Recreation
Victor Valdez, a Parks and Recreation Manager with 45 years of service, designed the innovative "Ultimate Park Restroom." This cost-effective solution addresses common issues like vandalism, graffiti, and maintenance delays by using durable materials, efficient ventilation, and locally sourced components. The restroom design, which saves approximately $100,000 per unit compared to traditional facilities, features graffiti-resistant surfaces, ADA-compliant amenities, and energy-efficient lighting and plumbing. The off-site fabrication process reduces on-site construction time to three days, minimizing disruptions to park visitors. Victor’s creative leadership has improved community satisfaction, reduced maintenance demands, and provided a scalable solution for park restrooms citywide.
Victoria Roeder
Finance
In fall 2023, PreK 4 SA faced a critical gap in leadership and expertise, leaving its financial records unprepared for an audit. Victoria Roeder, the City Controller, now Assistant Director stepped in to reconstruct records, coordinate with staff and auditors, and ensure the Early Childhood Development Corporation's financial statements were completed by June 2024. Her efforts prevented the potential loss of a $1.3M annual Child and Adult Care Food Program grant, addressing compliance issues and avoiding funding discontinuation. She also mentored newly hired Department Fiscal Administrators on financial processes, ensuring future stability and accuracy. Victoria’s leadership and dedication were instrumental in safeguarding critical funding and fostering financial accountability.
Eric Warner
Aviation
Eric Warner, Senior Special Projects Manager at the San Antonio International Airport has been nominated for the City Manager’s Excellence Award for his efforts in promoting aviation careers to youth. He developed the SAT Aviation Explorers Program, featuring a mobile flight simulator that has reached over 8,000 individuals and inspired other organizations to adopt similar programs. Eric's initiatives include collaborating with schools and universities, launching an aviation-focused website, and supporting programs like the UTSA & Air Force Aim High Flight Academy. His work has directly impacted students, such as one participant earning a $36,000 pilot school scholarship. Eric’s dedication to equity and innovation in aviation education exemplifies his commitment to community development and career readiness.n with the Library and expanded its user base.
Team Recipients
TVSA Team
Communications & Engagement
The TVSA team, led by Manager David McElroy, was nominated for the City Manager’s Excellence Award for their outstanding contributions to communication, accessibility, and public engagement. This 12-member team has expanded government meeting productions, implemented Spanish and ASL accessibility features, and maintained high standards during the pandemic with over 300 updates and seamless transitions to virtual formats. They spearheaded $3 million in capital improvements, making multiple City facilities production-ready, and produced award-winning programming, earning over 40 national accolades since 2020. TVSA also manages one of the nation's most active public access channels, fostering creativity and community involvement with thousands of annual programs. Their commitment to innovation and service honors both their mission and the memory of longtime colleague Frank Burns, who dedicated 18 years to public access excellence.
HR Compensation Team
Human Resources
The Human Resources Classification & Compensation Division (9) was nominated for embodying San Antonio's core values: Innovation, Teamwork, Integrity, and Professionalism. They pioneered approaches to salary compression adjustments, earning recognition from other cities, and consistently supported one another to meet deadlines, even during challenging times like holidays. In response to a competitive labor market, the team conducted its first market review since 2008, leading to market adjustments for over 960 job titles and enhanced pay equity through over 1,700 annual salary recommendations. They addressed salary compression through innovative solutions, benefiting over 1,750 employees across Pay Plans A and B. These efforts continued across FY24 and FY25, ensuring fair and competitive wages while recognizing tenure and experience. Their work exemplifies dedication to improving compensation systems and equity within the City of San Antonio.
Summer Hiring Team
Human Resources and Parks & Recreation
The City of San Antonio’s Human Resources and Parks & Recreation Departments (24) were nominated for their innovative efforts in addressing a nationwide lifeguard shortage and ensuring all pools and summer programs operated fully and on time. They implemented strategies such as employee referral and hiring incentive programs, lifeguard clinics, and certification reimbursement to attract and retain candidates for critical aquatics and recreation positions. Collaborative job fairs and outreach efforts, including tailored marketing campaigns and bilingual videos, made the hiring process efficient and accessible. The departments hired and onboarded approximately 640 seasonal staff, filling all 24 pool positions and 46 summer youth program sites. Their teamwork and professionalism set a national example for effectively managing summer hiring challenges.
Library Card Design Team
Library
The Library Card Design Team (7) launched a campaign to introduce seven new library card designs, led by Sarah Linley, Access Services Manager, and Scott Williams, Marketing Manager and his communications team to attract new users and reengage existing ones. The initiative received strong support from Council members and generated significant media attention, with 21 mentions valued at over $100,000 and 16 billboards targeting underrepresented areas. Social media efforts, including 118 posts, garnered 131,088 impressions and 9,452 engagements, with influencers amplifying the campaign's reach. Between September 1 and October 31, 2024, the Library issued 31,069 new cards, including 14,008 new accounts and 17,061 replacement cards. This successful campaign reenergized the community's connection with the Library and expanded its user base.
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