Veterans Advisory Commission

The Veterans Advisory Commission (VAC) represents the Mayor and ten City Council Districts. The VAC's mission is to serve the City Council in an advisory capacity on legislative issues affecting the City's military population, both active and retired. It serves as the community's liaison and advocate for veterans' affairs; advises the City Council on issues affecting San Antonio veterans and their families; and makes recommendations for improving services.

The VAC was chartered by the City Council on April 12, 2001 and their first meeting was held on August 29, 2001. City Council approved updated by-laws on December 01, 2022. A combination of the historic and new documents can be found here.

View Upcoming Meetings

Veterans of the Year Program

The Veterans Advisory Committee (VAC) is seeking nominations for Veteran(s) of the Year between November 2023 and September 2024.

Veterans of the Year

NOTE: Nominations will be accepted through October 1, 2024.

Become a Representative

The Veterans Advisory Commission (VAC) is seeking members to serve the Mayor and Council Districts in an advisory role on issues affecting the City's active and retired military populations. To be on the VAC, all members must be a veteran and serve no more than three (3) two-year terms. Veterans interested in applying for the Veterans Advisory Commission (VAC) should complete the online application. A childcare subsidy is available to representatives while they attend official meetings of the commission.

Each district has two positions available: a City Council appointed representative and a community liaison member appointed solely by the individual Council Member. Community liaison members do not have voting authority but can represent on subcommittees of the Commission.

Open community liaisons positions:

District 1
District 4
District 5
District 7
District 8
District 9
Mayor

See the Welcome Letter(PDF, 88KB) for an understanding of roles and expectations

Current Representatives

Mayoral Representative

Maira Alejandra Carrier
U.S. Army Veteran
mairaalejandra@mayaslove.org

District 1

Michael Vasquez
U.S. Army Veteran
michael@virtusrealtytx.com

District 2

Vacant

District 3

Ralph Alvarado
U.S. Navy Veteran
ralph.alvarado@hotmail.com

District 4

Juanita Sepulveda
U.S. Marines, Supply/Logistics
jfsepulveda4@gmail.com

CoSA's Small Business Economic Development Advisory Committee Chair
Texas A&M University – San Antonio Foundation Board
SAMMinistries Foundation Board

Community Liaison

Shameka Wiggins
shameka.lwiggins@gmail.com

District 5

John Gauna
U.S. Navy, Electricians Mate
jwgauna@yahoo.com

Homeless support advocate

Community Liaison

John Botts
john.botts3@va.gov

District 6

Larissa Martinez
United States Air Force Veteran
Circleofarms19@gmail.com

District 7

James C. Smith Jr (JC)
Air Force and Air Force Reserve, Transportation Superintendent
n5rxs@satx.rr.com

Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT)
American Legion Post 336 Executive Committee Member and Post Bingo Manager
Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES)

District 8

Chris Ashcraft
U.S. Air Force Veteran
chris.ashcraft@utexas.edu

District 9

Mike Toreno
U.S. Air Force Veteran
vfwpost76pso@gmail.com

District 10

Monica Morris
U.S. Army Veteran
mbm1sg@gmail.com

Commission Board Liaison

Jonathan Moeller
United States Air Force, Retired
Contact Form

Sub Committees

VAC Committees include, at a minimum, three VAC members, one of which serves as the Chair. The Chair shall provide a meeting summary at each VAC meeting for official record and for any items requiring a decision. Committees have no voting authority and therefore are Open to the Public to join and attend including CoSA staff, support organization, commercial organizations, additional VAC members and VAC Community Liaison representatives.

Please contact each Chair for committee meetings information or to be added to their email distribution list.

2023 Strategic Plan Committee

Chair: District 8
VAC members: District 7 and Mayoral

Veterans Day 2023 Committee

Chair: District 2
VAC members: District 3 and District 9

Veterans Housing Support Committee

Chair: District 5
VAC members: District 1 and District 4

Hidden Heroes City Committee

Chair: District 4
VAC members: District 6 and District 10
Regular meetings: 3rd Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. virtually.
Contact: kcrozier78247@att.net to be added to the distribution list.

The Commission is the lead over activities associated with the city's role as an Elizabeth Dole Foundation Hidden Heroes City supporting Military & Veteran Caregivers. View the Hidden Heroes resolution(PDF, 1MB).