Board

SAHA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

The Board of Commissioners for the San Antonio Housing Authority is authorized to consist of seven members, two of whom must be residents in public housing - and cannot be a city officer or employee. Members are appointed by the Mayor of the City of San Antonio, to serve two-year terms, with a three-term limitation.

The Board of Commissioners determines and interprets the policies that govern SAHA, subject to the mandates and the limits imposed by State and Federal law.

Commissioners receive no compensation but are entitled to receive expenses, including travel expenses, incurred in the discharge of their official duties.

Board of Commissioners Meetings
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BOARD MEMBERS

Ramiro Cavazos, Chairman
Ramiro Cavazos is president and CEO of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and chairman of SAHA's Board of Commissioners. He has extensive experience in economic and workforce development. Prior to joining the Hispanic Chamber, Cavazos was the Director of Research and Economic Development at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA). In addition, he worked for the Levi Strauss Foundation and the City of San Antonio. He is a strong advocate for inner-city development, workforce development and small business opportunity, serving on numerous civic, non-profit, educational, and private boards. Cavazos is a graduate of UT-Austin and has a master’s in public administration from St. Mary’s University.

Brian Herman, PhD, Vice-Chair
Dr. Herman is a professor in Cellular and Structural Biology at UTHSCSA, where he also serves as vice president for research and past-chair of the department. A medical researcher for more than 25 years, Dr. Herman focuses his research on how to enhance health span during the aging process. Prior to joining UTHSCSA, he was a 15-year faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Herman received his undergraduate degree at Adelphi University, a graduate degree at the University of Connecticut Health Science Center and postgraduate training from Harvard Medical School. He is the recipient of numerous awards for his research contributions and serves on a number of local, state and national boards.

Karina Cantu
Karina Cantu, an attorney with Jackson Walker L.L.P. in San Antonio, focuses her practice on estate planning, probate, and estate and fiduciary litigation. She has a bachelor’s in government from the UT-Austin and a juris doctor from St. Mary’s University School of Law, where she was a recipient of a full academic scholarship. Cantu is a member of the UTHSCA Planned Giving Advisory Council and the its Council for Excellence in Women’s Health. Named a San Antonio “Rising Star” in 2009 by Scene in S.A. Monthly, she is also a member of the State Bar of Texas and the San Antonio Young Lawyers Association.

Richard Gambitta, PhD
Dr. Gambitta is the director of the Institute for Law and Public Affairs at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where he has served as chair of the Department of Political Science and Geography and a tenured professor for 25 years. He holds a master’s and PhD from the Maxwell School of Syracuse University and was a Fulbright Scholar in Hong Kong. Dr. Gambitta’s extensive involvement in the San Antonio community includes service as chairman of Goodwill Industries and as a member the City of San Antonio’s reform-oriented Commission on Integrity and Trust in Governments.

Yolanda Hotman
Ms. Hotman is retired after serving as a career employee (30 years) at Kelly Air Force Base. Upon retiring from Kelly, she worked in retail and direct sales, as an office manager, an outreach assistant and in market research. She has been involved with community organizations like Burned Out Survivors’ Fund, an agency that assists families who have been affected by fire, and is active at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church. In addition, Ms. Hotman serves on the Commissioners' Committee of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials. She has a son, daughter, five grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Stella Burciaga Molina
Ms. Molina is retired today, but she has worked over the years in various capacities, including positions at Kelly Field and the Edgewood Independent School District. She has also worked with elected officials on a number of city improvement projects, such as the Alamodome. Ms. Molina has volunteered her time to numerous organizations for more than 60 years, including assisted senior and disabled adult day care centers, the Girl Scouts, Fiesta and the State of Texas. She is very involved with her family, which includes two sons, a daughter, 10 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and eight great-great grandchildren.

Charles Muñoz
Mr. Muñoz, principal of Thomas Edison HS, has been an educator in the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD) for 35 years. Muñoz was a teacher at Mann Middle School, assistant principal at Jefferson HS and principal of Whittier Middle School. He served on the board of the VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority, is a member of the Texas A&M Principals’ Center and was inducted into the Fox Tech HS Distinguished Graduate Hall of Fame. In 2004, Muñoz was honored as Principal of the Year by the Texas Education Agency Education Service Center Region 20 and the SAISD Parent, Teacher, Student Ass'n. He has a bachelor’s in political science and a master’s in education from Our Lady of the Lake University.