
Jesus H. Saenz, Jr., IAP
Director of Airports,
San Antonio Airport System

Karen Ellis
Chief Customer Experience Officer,
San Antonio Airport System;
National Chair, 2023 AMAC Airport
Business Diversity Conference;
At-Large Director, AMAC Board of Directors
Dear Friends:
On behalf of the San Antonio Airport System (SAAS), we welcome you to warm and friendly San Antonio! Thank you for joining us for the 38th Annual AMAC Airport Business Diversity Conference. We are beyond excited to serve as the host city where our diverse community is known for cultivating so much culture and pride. You’ll see it the moment you arrive at San Antonio International Airport, and you can feel it at Stinson Municipal Airport too.
This year’s conference will offer professional education, networking and business development opportunities for those working, especially minorities and women, in the aviation and aerospace industries. Topics range from advancing airport businesses to public policy issues impacting our industry.
The conference theme fits our airports’ goals to a tee: Cultivate. Innovate. Elevate. Those themes are incorporated into our mission and vision as an airport as we are expanding SAT by adding a third terminal.
As part of our Strategic Development Plan and Terminal Development Program, we actively focus on ensuring that women and minorities are represented and included in our contracting opportunities. We look forward to growing those relationships to give San Antonio the airport of the future that our community truly deserves.
We’re proud of our work to support business diversity in our community by segmenting our non-federal program contract goals. For FY22, SAAS awarded $16.7+M through our non-federal program, with $3.1+M going to Minority Women-Owned Business Enterprises, African American Business Enterprises ($369K+), Veteran-Owned Business Enterprises (almost $295K) and Small Business Enterprises ($3.5M). More than $17M in grants were awarded, with approximately $3M going to Disadvantaged Business Enterprises.
We’re extremely honored to host this conference because we truly believe in AMAC’s mission. As we fly into the future with our goals in mind, we’re committed to attracting talented professionals from all backgrounds. This conference is an essential step in that process.
Thank you for your passion, support and leadership as we embark on a crucial, dynamic and productive time of learning and working together. By collaborating and growing through this organization, we’ll generate a multitude of opportunities for all.
While you’re here, be sure to visit the Museum Reach section of the San Antonio River Walk, leading to the Historic Pearl, where you’ll find the finest cuisine options, the best shops and plenty of selfie-worthy spots. San Antonio is also home to theme parks, galleries, museums and breathtaking areas throughout the Texas Hill Country. We also hope you’ll explore our beautiful community’s many historic sites, such as San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, which was named the first World Heritage Site in Texas by the United Nations Organization for Education, Science and Culture.