San Antonio: After National Search, City Manager Appoints Two Assistant City Managers

Press release from the City of San Antonio:

March 15, 2021

SAN ANTONIO (March 15, 2021) - Effective March 22, 2021, San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh appoints Alex Lopez and Jeff Coyle as Assistant City Managers. Both executive appointments are internal promotions.

“We conducted a national search, which gave me the opportunity to compare our internal candidates to talent outside of the City organization,” said Walsh. “I’m excited about Alex and Jeff’s new role with our organization. They both have exhibited great initiative and leadership and I’m looking forward to them helping lead this organization.”

Lopez most recently served as the Director of the Economic Development Department. She previously served in multiple executive leadership roles, including Deputy and Assistant Director in the Economic Development Department as well as Interim Chief Equity Officer. Recently, Alex has been instrumental in the development and educational outreach associated with the SA: Ready to Work ballot initiative, which was overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2020. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from St. Mary’s University. Alex has served in the City of San Antonio organization for nearly 15 years.

Coyle began his career with the City of San Antonio in 2013, and most recently served as the Director of Government and Public Affairs. In this role he served as the City’s chief spokesperson and lobbyist, overseeing state and federal affairs. During his tenure, he launched and expanded SASpeakUp as a branded platform for all public engagement. He has been influential in the passage of key state legislation and securing federal funding for numerous City of San Antonio priorities. Jeff has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Texas San Antonio and a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications from Florida State University.

Both Lopez and Coyle will also serve as Interim Directors until their former positions are filled. The City has initiated the process for a national search for the directors of Economic Development and Government and Public Affairs departments. The City Manager is revising the reporting structure of departments to members of the Executive Leadership Team, and will release a full organizational chart later this week.

This press release was produced by the City of San Antonio. The views expressed here are the author’s own.