Staff

The WDC staff members bring the organization experience from both the public and the private sectors. As dedicated employees to the Westside community and organization, the team strives for a thoughtful, practical, creative, and professional means of working towards community-minded economic development.

Ramon Flores, Executive Director

Prior to becoming the Executive Director of the WDC in 2007, Ramon "Ray" Flores was President of Flores Holdings, LLC, a real estate investment and consulting company in San Antonio, Texas. Flores Holdings, LLC, in partnership with private investors, acquires and redevelops commercial properties within inner-city areas. Mr. Flores also provided consulting services to municipalities, private developers, affordable housing nonprofit organizations, and small businesses.

Before starting his own company, Ray worked for Fannie Mae for 9 years, in both Dallas and San Antonio. He held various positions within the company, including the American Communities Fund (ACF), Housing & Community Development, and Congressional and Public Affairs.

Ray serves as Chair of the Board of the Community Development Loan Fund (CDLF) and is active in the Harvard Club of San Antonio.

Phone: (210) 207-8204
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Laura Cabanilla-Cruz, Development & External Relations Officer

Laura Cabanilla-Cruz is President of Cruz Enterprise, a consulting company. From June 2006 to June 2009, she was a member of the national Women’s Sports Foundation team as the GoGirlGo! San Antonio Director. Before graduating from St. Mary’s University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, she completed the Washington Semester – Foreign Policy Program at American University in Washington, D.C. and has obtained a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

From 1999 to 2003, Laura assisted the San Antonio Sports Foundation in promoting their Dreams for Youth Volleyball program as a coach, mentor, and parent coordinator. In June of 2001 she became Chief of Staff to Councilwoman Antoniette “Toni” Moorhouse of District 3 and from 2003 to June 2006, she was Chief of Staff to Councilman Roger O. Flores of District 1. In 2005, Laura received the South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Salute to the Women of the Southern Sector Award, has served on numerous committees and boards, was a member of Leadership San Antonio XXXII, and is presently a committee member of the Women and Girls Development Fund of the San Antonio Area Foundation. 

Phone: (210) 207-3916
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Roy Pachecano, Grow West Program Officer

Roy R. Pachecano, AIA , developer, advisor, author, lecturer, and recognized leader in sustainable development, began his career in the building arts under the tutelage of his father in their family’s concrete construction business in San Antonio. Mr. Pachecano earned his Bachelor degree in Environmental Design program from Texas A&M University. For professional studies, Mr. Pachecano attended Columbia University and as a National Hispanic Scholar. He holds two advanced degrees from Columbia: Master of Science Real Estate Development, combining business, law and urban planning curricula, and Master of Science in Architecture.

 In 2010, Mr. Pachecano was retained to conceive and launch a new Sustainable Business Program at University of Texas, San Antonio (UTSA) Institute for Economic Development funded by the US Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA). In addition to authoring new curriculum, he founded the program based on the triple-bottom-line (TBL) approach to sustainability. In 24 months, the program attracted over 340 clients with a local economic development impact of over $36 million.

 

Phone: (210) 207-0039
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Danielle Alva, Special Projects Coordinator

Born and raised in District 1, Danielle is a localite of San Antonio. She began her college career at Oklahoma State University in Oklahoma City. In 2005 she relocated back to San Antonio to be closer to family and continue her education.

She attended San Antonio College where she received her Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts. Danielle holds a bachelor’s degree in both Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio. In 2005 she served in the offices of City Hall as a Council Aide for District 1 Councilman Roger O. Flores and from 2006 to 2007 for District 3 Councilman Roland Gutierrez.

Phone: (210) 207-3916
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General Contact Information:
Mexican American Unity Council Building
2300 W. Commerce St., Ste. 207
San Antonio, Texas 78207
Phone: (210) 207-3916
Fax: (210) 207-8244