Tech Bloc, a San Antonio financial improvement nonprofit, employed former mayoral candidate Beto Altamirano as its new CEO on Tuesday.
Altamirano continues to be contemplating his political choices amidst statewide redistricting.
He completed third in San Antonio’s mayoral election this yr and can be the cofounder and CEO of Irys Applied sciences, an area tech firm centered on cybersecurity and streamlining operations.
In a press launch, Tech Bloc officers famous his expertise in each the non-public and public sectors.
“Altamirano’s profession bridges expertise, public coverage and financial improvement,” learn the press launch.
Tech Bloc was fashioned in 2014 to assist develop San Antonio’s tech sector. The nonprofit is concentrated on constructing San Antonio’s workforce, high quality of life and talent to host giant firms.
“If we need to be aggressive as a metropolis, we should research and create the situations that allow extra entrepreneurs to succeed right here within the Alamo Metropolis,” mentioned Tech Bloc Board Chair Will Conway in a press release.
In his new position, Altamirano mentioned will give attention to enhancing digital and synthetic intelligence literacy for San Antonio residents. He additionally needs to assist carry cybersecurity, bioscience, manufacturing and AI firms to San Antonio to create accessible expertise jobs.
Meaning partnering with native nonprofits and financial improvement efforts, he added.
“San Antonio has the expertise, tradition, and strategic place to steer, and Tech Bloc will play a key position in bringing that imaginative and prescient to life,” he mentioned in a press release.
Altamirano replaces Ileana Gonzalez, who led Tech Bloc for 2 years earlier than taking a job at H-E-B.
“Tech Bloc is a part-time position the place I’ll be centered on nurturing and advocating for the innovation ecosystem, and I’ll proceed in my position as CEO of Irys,” he mentioned in a textual content message.
Altamirano continues to be weighing his subsequent political transfer — which may embody making an attempt to assist Democrats maintain onto a difficult congressional seat on the town’s Southeast Facet.
Final yr he assembled a spirited mayoral marketing campaign in a 27-candidate race that raised massive cash and attracted a quantity influential supporters, together with former Bexar County Decide Nelson Wolff.
“I’m not going wherever. I’m 35 years outdated, time is on my facet,” Altamirano after shedding the Could race.
In July he began a PAC, and after Texas’ congressional districts had been redrawn, he grew to become a possible recruit for the reshaped thirty fifth Congressional District.
Democrats maintain the seat proper now, however it’s altering from an city blue stronghold to a Republican-friendly pickup alternative that features Guadalupe, Wilson and Karnes counties.
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Greg Casar (D-Austin) is operating for a extra Austin-centric seat, and Democratic candidates have proven far much less curiosity within the race than Republicans.
“On the political entrance, I stay engaged and have had neighborhood leaders attain out about CD35,” Altamirano mentioned in a press release Tuesday. “I’m taking a detailed have a look at the race and likewise watching what the maps will appear like.”
