03-27-2025

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BY TRACY IDELL HAMILTON

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS — Port San Antonio’s Tech Port campus is the new home for Workforce Solutions Alamo’s (WSA) latest facility—a state-of-the-art training and resource center.

The new center is strategically located to connect job seekers and employers by providing a wide range of support tailored to the needs of the area’s high-tech industries with an emphasis on careers in aerospace, IT, cybersecurity, and manufacturing.

Given the pace of growth on the Tech Port campus, where employers have added 9,000 new jobs since 2017, the new facility will be an integral avenue to attract, prepare and connect additional talent with the industries thriving at the Port and across the region.

The center is already busy: As it ramps up operations in support of commercial aircraft worldwide, StandardAero hosted a job fair earlier this year during the facility’s soft opening. And in March, Boeing, which operates the company’s largest aircraft sustainment and modernization facility on the Tech Port campus, will host its own event as it seeks to fill more than 100 positions, including mechanics and engineers.

During a ceremony to formally launch the training center on March 10, Bianca Rhodes, president and CEO of Knight Aerospace, said her company would likely increase its 115-member workforce to 140 by the end of 2026.

“How will we do that?” she asked. “With this kind of partnership.”

Located at 638 Davy Crockett Rd, #160, the offerings at WSA’s new state-of-the-art facility include:

job matching and placement services;
career counseling and workforce readiness programs;
skills development and training aligned with the demands of the tech sector; and
resources for employers to connect with skilled talent.

Joined by more than 100 guests at the ceremony, WSA CEO Adrian Lopez stood before a mural that encompassed the rich history of the Port, with historic photos of Kelly Field on one side and contemporary photos of PlusOne Robotics, Boeing, the Alamo Regional Security Operations Center (ARSOC) and StandardAero on the other.

Workforce Solutions Alamo CEO Adrian Lopez addresses the audience.

Lopez thanked the Port for its leadership in launching the new career center. “It’s because of their commitment to people and to this community that makes this partnership so important, and it’s going to be what transforms peoples’ live for many years to come.”

In addition to Rhodes, Lopez was joined by Leslie Cantu, WSA’s board chair; Bryan Daniel, Texas Workforce Commission chairman; Bexar County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rebeca Clay-Flores; Aaron Demerson, CEO of the Texas Economic Development Corporation; and Margaret Wilson-Anaglia, chair of Port San Antonio’s board of directors.

Wilson-Anaglia also noted and praised the longtime partnership between the Port and Workforce Solutions Alamo.

“Over the years, our team has worked hand-in-hand with WSA to ensure that as we build new buildings, as we bring in new employers, and as we watch so many locally based enterprises come and grow at the Port, that we are also equipped with talented people to take on those life-changing career opportunities.”

Port San Antonio Board Chair Margaret Wilson-Anaglia praises the longtime partnership between the Port and Workforce Solutions Alamo.

Today roughly 18,000 people work at the Tech Port campus as they advance operations in cybersecurity, aerospace, robotics, space exploration, national defense and other advanced sectors.

That growth will continue as the Port develops its defense industrial innovation campus with Innovation Tower, a vertiport, joint activity cyber center, a child development center, grocery, retail dining and other amenities.

"To get there, to connect thousands of people with these new life-changing opportunities will be a team effort,” said Wilson-Anaglia. She notes that WSA’s new center will serve as “the literal front door to welcome people from the Thompson and Quintana neighborhoods, which straddle our campus—and people from across our community—to connect them with those futures.”

Daniel, of the state workforce commission, acknowledged that technology is moving quickly, putting pressure on the workforce. For every job lost to technology, he said, another is created.

“But if you’re 15 years into your career and the technology changes, what are you going to do? Come here. Centers like this are amazing.”