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BUSINESS EXECUTIVE WITH DEEP ROOTS IN EDUCATION AND PHILANTHROPY JOINS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

08-24-2022

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SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS -  District 8 City Councilman Manny Pelaez has named Jamie Kowalski to Port San Antonio’s 11-member Board of Directors. 

Kowalski serves as the Vice President of Corporate Relations for The RK Group, a business established by her family in 1946 that is a leading national venue management, culinary and hospitality services firm. 

Previously, she was an educator — teaching middle school reading and writing at the La Vernia and North East independent school districts. During that time, she was also a coach for her middle and high schools' cross country, cheerleading, volleyball, basketball and track teams. 

Philanthropic endeavors and community service have been a big part of Kowalski's career.

Through the RK Cares initiative, she spearheads the firm's corporate philanthropy efforts to combat food insecurity locally and nationally. Thanks to the philanthropic endeavors led by Kowalski, the RK group was recognized by the San Antonio Business Journal in 2017 and 2018 as one of the community's top corporate philanthropic and family-owned businesses. 

Kowalski's volunteer roles include serving as a former tri-chair for the City of San Antonio's 2022 Municipal Bond Program. She is currently a board member for the Mays Cancer Center, San Antonio Public Library Foundation, Social Venture Partners, Phil Hardberger Park Conservancy and the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. Kowalski is also on the advisory committees serving UTSA Libraries, JBSA Alliance, The DoSeum, Greater: SATX and the San Antonio Regional Education Forum.

"Jamie will be an invaluable addition to the Port San Antonio Board of Directors as the organization continues to boldly move forward in its vision," said Councilman Pelaez. "Her strong background in business, education and philanthropy — backed by her demonstrated commitment to serving our community — will make her an important voice in shaping the trajectory of one of our region's largest and most important economic engines."

"Jamie joins us during a very exciting and important moment in our evolution," said Port San Antonio Board Chair Chris Alderete. "In the last few years, over 6,000 great new jobs in advanced technologies have been created here as we have brought multiple projects online that are connecting people with life-changing educational, career and entrepreneurial paths. With her diverse experience, Jamie will be another powerful advocate for our work as we build a place that is shaping our community's economic future and raising our profile as a global innovation destination. We greatly appreciate Councilman Pelaez' strong and thoughtful support for our work, as shown by his appointment of Jamie as the latest member of our board."

"I'm honored to be part of a board that is leading the way in San Antonio's economic future," said Kowalski. "The Port's innovative efforts to empower people through learning, career development and entrepreneurship are inspiring and have a real impact for families across our community. I'm excited to lend my experience to support these efforts so that together we will extend opportunities to an ever-greater number of people in our region, today and for generations ahead."


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