Greater 210

San Antonio's Community College Powerhouse: Dr. Mike Flores on the Alamo Colleges District

The Alamo Colleges District serves 89,000 students across five campuses and has quietly become one of the best community college systems in the country. Most San Antonians still think of it as just a place to get an associate's degree. In this episode, Jeff Webster sits down with Chancellor Dr. Mike Flores to dig into what Alamo Colleges has actually become: a two-time Malcolm Baldrige Award winner, a bachelor's degree granting institution, and the region's largest workforce development engine -- graduating 14,000 credentialed students every year. They talk about the Alamo Promise, how the college-going rate jumped from 45% to 65%, the push to raise Bexar County's educational attainment from 41% to 50%, and how frozen tuition rates and smart state funding have kept costs down while enrollment explodes. About Dr. Mike Flores Dr. Mike Flores is the Chancellor of the Alamo Colleges District, the largest community college district in the region. Under his leadership, Alamo Colleges enrolls more than half of all college students in the area and graduates more students than any other community college district in Texas. He views the district as the region's most powerful economic development strategy -- offering a path to a better life for residents across San Antonio and Bexar County. Chapters: * (00:00) – Meet Chancellor Mike Flores and the Alamo Colleges District * (02:00) – From Two Colleges to Five: 80 Years of Growth Across Bexar County * (04:46) – Beyond the Associate's Degree: Bachelor's Programs in Nursing, IT, and Business * (07:18) – Aligning Workforce Programs with San Antonio's High-Demand Sectors * (09:26) – Who's Actually Enrolling: First-Gen Students and the $500K Lifetime Earnings Gap * (12:24) – The Alamo Promise: Free College for Every Bexar County High School Graduate * (16:24) – Keeping Costs Down: No Tuition Increases Since 2018 * (24:38) – Malcolm Baldrige, Aspen Top 10, and Why This System Ranks Among the Best in the U.S. Links and Resources: * Alamo Colleges District [https://www.alamo.edu/] -- https://www.alamo.edu/https://www.alamo.edu/ [https://www.alamo.edu/] * Alamo Promise [https://www.alamo.edu/promise/] -- https://www.alamo.edu/promise/https://www.alamo.edu/promise/ [https://www.alamo.edu/promise/] * Greater San Antonio Chamber [https://www.sachamber.org/] -- https://www.sachamber.org/https://www.sachamber.org/ [https://www.sachamber.org/] Podcast Production Services by https://everyword.mediahttps://EveryWord.Media [https://everyword.media]

More Than a Game: How the Valero Alamo Bowl Drives San Antonio's Economy with Derrick Fox

The Valero Alamo Bowl is one of college football's premier bowl games. But most people only see one day a year. In this episode, Jeff Webster sits down with President & CEO Derrick Fox to talk about what it really takes to run a bowl game that has generated $1.2 billion in economic impact and donated over $185 million to local education over 34 years. They dig into conference realignment, the future of the bowl system, what it will take to bring a national championship to San Antonio, and why upgrading the Alamodome may be the most important sports decision this city makes in the next decade. Chapters: * (00:00) – Who Is Derrick Fox and How the Alamo Bowl Began * (02:05) – The Numbers: $1.2B in Economic Impact and $185M+ in Scholarships * (04:18) – TV Ratings, Sellouts, and Competing at the Top of College Football * (07:16) – Conference Realignment and What It Means for Bowl Games * (08:55) – Behind the Scenes: How the Team Selection Committee Works * (11:31) – The Future of Bowl Games: Which Ones Will Survive? * (13:07) – Contracts, CFP Conversations, and What's Next for the Alamo Bowl * (14:28) – Why Upgrading the Alamodome Is San Antonio's Most Important Sports Decision * (19:18) – How to Get Involved: Sponsorships, Volunteering, and Season Tickets * (21:18) – This Year's Bowl by the Numbers and the Road Ahead Links and Resources: * Valero Alamo Bowl [https://www.alamobowl.com/] – https://www.alamobowl.com/https://www.alamobowl.com/ [https://www.alamobowl.com/] * Greater San Antonio Chamber [https://www.sachamber.org/] – https://www.sachamber.org/https://www.sachamber.org/ [https://www.sachamber.org/] Podcast Production Services by https://everyword.mediahttps://EveryWord.Media [https://everyword.media]

The Business of Space: Why Texas Is Investing in the Next Economic Frontier with Brad Morrison

Space is no longer just exploration. It is becoming one of the most important economic opportunities of the next generation. In this episode of Greater 210, Jeff Webster sits down with Brad Morrison, Texas Space Commission member, veteran, and entrepreneur, to explore how Texas is positioning itself at the center of the rapidly growing space economy. Brad shares his journey from the U.S. Air Force and early cyber operations to building companies in the defense and aerospace sectors, and now helping shape the future of space innovation in Texas. The conversation highlights how San Antonio’s leadership in cybersecurity, intelligence, and national security uniquely positions the region to play a critical role in the next phase of aerospace growth. They also discuss the rise of private space companies, the role of dual-use technologies, and why Texas is making strategic investments through the Texas Space Commission to attract industry, create jobs, and drive long-term economic growth. As the state prepares for massive population growth and increasing demand for energy, infrastructure, and innovation, space is emerging as a key pillar of Texas’ future economy. If you want to understand where the next wave of economic opportunity is coming from and how San Antonio fits into it, this is a conversation worth hearing. Chapters: * (00:00) – Why Space Is the Next Economic Frontier * (01:20) – Brad Morrison’s Background: Military to Aerospace * (05:30) – San Antonio’s Role in Cyber and National Security * (10:40) – The Rise of the Commercial Space Industry * (15:30) – Why Texas Is Investing in Space * (21:00) – Inside the Texas Space Commission * (27:00) – Jobs, Growth, and the Future of Texas * (29:30) – The Texas Space Summit and What’s Next Links and Resources: * Greater San Antonio Chamber [https://www.sachamber.org/] - https://www.sachamber.org/ [https://www.sachamber.org/] * Texas International Space Summit [https://texasspacesummit.com] - https://texasspacesummit.com [https://texasspacesummit.com] * Texas Space Commission [https://space.texas.gov/] - https://space.texas.gov/ [https://space.texas.gov/] Podcast Production Services by https://EveryWord.Media

Fiesta San Antonio: The Tradition, Impact, and Community Behind the Celebration

Fiesta is more than a celebration. It is one of San Antonio’s most powerful drivers of community, culture, and economic impact. In this episode of Greater 210, Chamber President and CEO Jeff Webster sits down with Jim Mery, President-Elect of the Fiesta San Antonio Commission, to go inside one of the city’s most iconic traditions. They explore how Fiesta has grown from a single parade in 1891 into an 11-day celebration with more than 100 events, all supporting local nonprofits and fueling millions of dollars back into the community. Jim shares the history behind Fiesta, the role of participating member organizations, and what it takes to plan and execute an event of this scale. From supporting small businesses and nonprofits to attracting visitors from across Texas and beyond, Fiesta plays a critical role in San Antonio’s identity and economic growth. If you want to better understand what makes San Antonio unique and how community-driven events can shape a city’s future, this is a conversation worth listening to. Key Takeaways 1. Fiesta generates significant economic impact and supports hundreds of local nonprofits 2. The celebration reflects San Antonio’s deep culture, heritage, and community spirit 3. Over 100 events take place across 11 days, driven by local organizations 4. Tourism and regional visibility are key priorities for future growth 5. Public safety, city coordination, and planning are critical to execution 6. Fiesta strengthens small businesses, families, and community organizations Timestamps 1. (00:00) – Introduction to Fiesta and its significance 2. (03:50) – The role of nonprofits and community impact 3. (05:20) – Economic impact and support for local businesses 4. (09:00) – The cultural and family-focused nature of Fiesta 5. (10:30) – Supporting the military and Military City USA 6. (12:00) – How Fiesta is planned and organized each year 7. (14:00) – Expanding tourism and attracting new audiences 8. (17:30) – Safety, logistics, and city coordination 9. (19:00) – How to attend, get tickets, and participate 10. (20:30) – The scale and size of Fiesta crowds 11. (21:30) – Final thoughts and invitation to Fiesta Links and Resources Greater San Antonio Chamber https://www.sachamber.org/ [https://www.sachamber.org/] Fiesta San Antonio https://fiestasanantonio.org/ [https://fiestasanantonio.org/] Podcast Production Services by EveryWord Media [https://everyword.media]

From Homelessness to County Leadership: A Conversation with Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores

What shapes a leader who is committed to fighting for her community? In this episode of Greater 210, Jeff Webster sits down with Bexar County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores to talk about her remarkable journey, her priorities for the community, and the challenges she has faced along the way. Commissioner Clay-Flores shares her story growing up in San Antonio, overcoming early hardships, and earning scholarships to Princeton and Harvard before returning home to serve her community. The conversation explores her work in education, nonprofit leadership, and public service before running for office and becoming the first woman of color elected to Bexar County Commissioners Court in more than a century. She also discusses a deeply personal challenge: her recent colon cancer diagnosis and how that experience inspired her to launch a community effort to raise awareness about early screening and prevention. The discussion also highlights important issues shaping the future of Bexar County, including infrastructure investment, mental health services, economic development, and the importance of bringing communities together through shared civic priorities. This conversation offers a powerful reminder that leadership, service, and resilience can help move San Antonio from great to greater. Timestamps: 1. 01:00 – Rebeca Clay-Flores’ background and early life in San Antonio 2. 03:30 – Returning to San Antonio to serve in education and nonprofit work 3. 04:30 – Running for office and defeating a longtime incumbent 4. 05:30 – A personal health challenge and colon cancer diagnosis 5. 07:30 – Launching a community effort for Colon Cancer Awareness Month 6. 09:00 – Why early screening and awareness matter 7. 11:30 – Faith, leadership, and personal resilience 8. 13:30 – Policy priorities: healthcare access and mental health services 9. 18:30 – Economic development and infrastructure investment 10. 22:00 – Regional planning and transportation through the MPO 11. 24:00 – Funding challenges for infrastructure growth in Texas Links and Resources: 1. Greater San Antonio Chamber: https://www.sachamber.org/ 2. Colon Cancer Awareness Month (March): https://www.cancer.org/ 3. Bexar County Commissioners Court: https://www.bexar.org/ Podcast Production Services by EveryWord Media [https://everyword.media]