Registration deadline:
February 12, 2008

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Edward Garza
Keynote Speaker

Edward Garza, the former mayor of San Antonio, Texas, currently heads the San Antonio office of the national landscape and development firm, EDAW, Inc.

Prior to serving as mayor Garza served two terms as District 7 representative on the San Antonio City Council. As mayor, Garza’s agenda focused on economic, urban and human development policies that build on the region’s existing assets. He spearheaded an unprecedented collaboration with local, county and state officials to help San Antonio secure Toyota’s sixth North American manufacturing facility. The 2,000 high-wage jobs created by the facility were a key economic anchor for Garza’s pioneering balanced growth project, the Southside Initiative, San Antonio’s 57-square mile premier master planned community.

After the attacks of September 11, 2001, Garza collaborated with city-county anti-terrorism plans, leading the Cable News Network to recognize San Antonio as the second most prepared city in the country. He also participated in the opening of the innovative Brooks CityBase partnership with the federal government and welcomed the transfer of the U.S. Army’s Southern Command to Fort Sam Houston.

An advocate for health and fitness, Garza supported events such as the Mayor’s 5K Run/Walk and the Go! Kids Challenge. He helped raise awareness for organizations such as the American Diabetes Association and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and has raised over $100,000 for the Cancer Therapy and Research Center and $115,000 for the San Antonio Children’s Shelter. Garza also negotiated a PGA Village agreement that brought a prestigious golf resort to San Antonio, but also required the strongest environmental protections ever enacted over the Edwards Aquifer and a living wage for employees.

Heavily involved in international affairs, he played a key role in the Tri-Lateral Technology Summits held between the United States, Canada and Mexico and he served as vice president of the North American International Trade Corridor Partnership. He also serves on a variety of local and statewide boards and committees and is on the board of directors for several organizations.