The overview
Cabanilla joined the board in 2021 and was first elected vice chair in December 2022 for the 2023 term. She is a director of corporate responsibility at USAA and a strategy lead for Face the Fight, a public awareness and health campaign founded by USAA that brings together businesses and organizations in the fight against veteran suicide.
She is also a Texas Lyceum director and has been active in Leadership San Antonio, including serving on its steering committee and subsequently as a co-chair.
“It’s an honor to be chosen to lead this dynamic board during a transformative time for VIA and the community we serve,” Cabanilla said. “Years of strategic and diligent efforts by VIA, its staff and partners have created this moment of critical mass and helped pave the way for us to deliver modern mobility solutions for our fast-growing region.”
Additionally, the board elected trustee Leo Gomez, who joined the board earlier in December, to serve as vice chair. Gomez is president and CEO of the Brooks Development Authority, which manages Brooks, a mixed-use community.
The board also re-elected trustees Athalie Malone and Louis Cooper to serve as board secretary and vice secretary, respectively.
The term of office for VIA board chair is two years. All other executive committee positions hold one-year terms.
What else?
VIA will also welcome its new president and CEO Jon Gary Herrera, who currently serves as the agency’s senior vice president of public engagement. Herrera’s first day as the new president and CEO is Jan. 4.
“I look forward to working with Chair Cabanilla, Vice Chair Gomez and the balance of the VIA board,” Herrera said.
Quote of note
“Laura Cabanilla has an impressive track record as a community relations professional and has demonstrated her commitment to public service,” Mayor Ron Nirenberg said. “Laura’s experience as a VIA board trustee and vice chair have prepared her to assume the transit board’s top leadership role. I deeply appreciate her willingness to take on this responsibility.”
