office of the city manager
City Manager's Excellence Award

7th Annual City Manager’s Excellence Award

The City of San Antonio’s CORE Values program recognizes employees who exemplify Teamwork, Integrity, Innovation and Professionalism. The highest level of this program is the City Manager’s Excellence Award. The City Manager awarded the 7th Annual City Manager’s Excellence Award to employees who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to public service and to the San Antonio community. We congratulate them for their well-deserved recognition. You can view the 2022 City Manager's Excellence Video on the City's YouTube.

Winners

S. Jay Reyna

Jay Reyna

S. Jay Reyna

Communication s & Engagement (C&E) 

Jay serves as the graphic designer for many departments and most of the time, on a moment’s notice. an example of his creative talents that benefits both employees and residents of SA was when D4 reached out for help in creating a street banner for the 75th Anniversary of the Air Force. Secondly, the CMO needed help printing a parade banner for 2022 Pride. Jay was able to deliver the artwork with a “lightning speed turnaround time”. 

Sara Wamsley Estrada

Sara Wamsley

Sara Wamsley Estrada 

Neighborhood & Housing Services (NHSD) 

Sara was one of the primary drivers in visualizing, developing, coordinating, and implementing the Strategic Housing Implementation Plan (SHIP) for NHSD. This was a huge, complex monumental task to structure the plan. Sara led the Housing Policy team & policy forum discussions that created the SHIP and handled all the waves sent the team’s way with incredible professionalism and poise 

Redistricting Team

Redistricting Team

Redistricting Team 

City Attorney & Communications & Engagement (C&E)

Given the continued growth of SA over the last 10 years, each new census drives a redistricting initiative to stay in legal compliance. The past involved discussions and negotiations between Council members and legal experts. This year, the City used a Citizen Advisory Committee model to develop a recommended map to City Council through a public and transparent process. This included 15 public meetings with 340 registered attendees (155 public comments and 145 written comments through SASpeakUp, 311 and emails, 29 community meetings across SA and 7 resources libraries. 

City Attorney Team: Iliana Castillo Daily, Camila Kunau, Mary Torres, Mary Ling, Diedrie Brewton, Martha Olivas, Angelina Huerta, Mirta Gonzales, Lizette Pina Garza 

C&E Team: Khaila Barrett, Melissa Escamilla, Michelle Vigil, Kristy Hernandez, Fabio Ramalho, Melanie Morales 

Migrant Resource Center Team

Migrant Resource Center Team

Migrant Resource Center Team 

Dept. of Human Services (DHS)

Since April 2021, CoSA has served more than 220,000 migrants transiting through SA. The team has been directly involved in setting up response efforts at the airport, expanding to use of hotels, established the Travis Park Church Overflow Shelter, and closeout and transition of that site to the opening of the Migrant Resource Center in July 2022. 

MRC Team: Paul “Marc” Wonder, Ramona Moreno, Olympia Cuellar 

COVID-19 Vaccine Leadership Team

Covid-19 Leadership Team

COVID-19 Vaccine Leadership Team 

SA Metro Health

Team worked diligently and expeditiously to plan and implement one of the most aggressive vaccination campaigns in U.S. history. The various efforts this team led made COVID-19 vaccines accessible throughout SA and Bexar County and changed the trajectory of the pandemic in the community. 

COVID-19 Vaccine Leadership Team: Maria “Martha” Groomer, Brandon Cruz, Lynna Ortegon, Gregory A. Stewart, Thomas Wright, George Perez, Jerry Gloria, Michelle Gilstrap, Miguel A. Cervantes 

The Humanitarian Award

In the fall of 2020, a new category called “Humanitarian Award” was added to recognize employees who engage in life-saving efforts, whether for residents, visitors, or team members. Below are courageous and selfless acts by employees of the City of San Antonio.

Date Department Employee(s) Description
October 2019 Solid Waste Management Amanda Ehlers Amanda Ehlers was driving along her route and noticed a resident who was unresponsive in their driveway. Amanda stopped and rendered aid and called 911. Unfortunately the resident passed away but the spouse was so appreciative that Amanda took the time to stop.
February 23, 2020 Animal Care Services JoAnn Fry JoAnn Fry calmly coordinated information between an onsite Animal Care Officer and the 911 Dispatch team during the aftermath of multiple gunshots near Benavidez Park.
March 28, 2020 Aviation Mark Diamond Mark Diamond provided life-saving efforts for an unresponsive airline employee. He quickly went into action and checked vitals, contacted Airport Integrated Control Center, and applied the Automated External Defibrillator.
October 4, 2022 Solid Waste Management (SMWD)  Jose Sanchez
Brandon Smothers
Ramiro Martinez  		Team assisted an elderly resident that had fallen. They helped her back into her house & the resident later contacted the department and stated she had suffered a minor stroke & wanted to let them know how much she appreciate their help.