Annual Report
2014
f ro m o u r c h a i r,
brian hurtak
Dear Fellow LOOPers,
Thanks to you, we had an incredible 2014. As we take steps together toward making
San Antonio the place for young professionals to thrive, our accomplishments in
2014 brought us closer to our goal. I’m grateful for your dedication and proud to
report our collective achievements—of which there are many. But since nobody
reads more than a few sentences these days, I’ll only share the highlights:
engage
lead
transform
In 2014, we developed and launched a digital experience allowing
LOOPers to connect 24/7. Our blog, events and ambassador portal are
all now available on any device, any time for any member.
Last year, we started the LOOP Ambassador Program. We successfully
recruited and trained 28 young professionals who will ultimately help shift
the brand of our city for new and prospective San Antonians.
We’re changing the way young professionals network. It’s not just about
Happy Hours—this year we held more than 15 major events and over 20
LOOP-ups, connecting us with our city, our causes and each other.
I urge you to read more about these and other accomplishments in our report and to stay
involved in 2015. Join or re-join a committee, volunteer at an event, lead a project, connect
LOOP with an organization that’s important to you, or serve on our Board. With you we
have a louder voice and can solve problems facing San Antonio’s young professional
community. Your experience in LOOP is dependent on the steps you take to get involved
and take full advantage of this network. Like anything in life, you get out what you put in.
Let’s make 2015 another city-changing year in S.A.
With thanks,
Brian Hurtak
LOOP was founded in 2012 as a way for young
professionals to make a positive impact on San Antonio.
The organization continues to grow and obtain members
who are driven, dedicated to the mission and advocates
for change. Our members work to produce exciting
events that offer resources and opportunities for growth
and networking as well as partnerships for causes and
community activities. We strive to be active members of our
community and make a positive impact wherever we go.
We thank you for your membership and sponsorship.
While our core values and structure will not change,
please remember to check our website on a regular
basis for updates on events, committees, news, member
resources and more. Please feel free to reach out if
you have any questions, concerns or suggestions.
about loop
san antonio
targe t marke t
yo u n g p r o f e s s i o n a l s (ag e s 22- 4 0)
that a spire to
what is loop?
who are loopers?
LOOP stands for Leadership Organization of Professionals.
Engage in key SA initiatives
We are a community of young professional advocates
equipped with the knowledge and the resources
required to transform San Antonio into a premier
location for business and pleasure.
Lead transformation efforts
Advocates
Ambassadors
Change Agents
Community Activators
Urban Enthusiasts
Leaders and Future Leaders
Motivators
Innovators
Dedicated to improving and building
the San Antonio community
Advocate for key initiatives
facing YPs in San Antonio
Transform SA into a premier, vibrant
city for young professionals
Be Civic Leaders
Serve as Change agents and stewards
to lead SA’s future success.
loop demographics
membership
ages
origins
industries
254
55% Female
45% Male
30.5 Median
31.2 Average
26.1% Native San Antonian
48.9% From a different city
25.0% Grew up in San Antonio, left, returned
Accounting
Architecture/Design
Art/Museums
Banking
Engineering
Consulting
Commercial Real Estate
(Private Equity, Development
Appraisal, Brokerage)
Community Engagement
Construction
Economic Development
Education
Entertainment/Sports
Financial Services/Finance
Floral Design
Government
Hospitality
Information Technology
Investments
Law/Legal
Marketing/Advertising
Medicine
Non-profit
Oil & Gas
Public Private Partnership
Public Relations
Retail/Grocery
Technology
Urban Planning
Wealth Management
Young Professional Relations
loop leadership
executive
committee
board of
directors
Our advisors are a group of san antonio’s most respected
business people who have put their support behind the
vision of the organization. They act as advisors on many of
our projects, events and overall goal of loop.
Chair
Brian Hurtak, USAA
Vice Chair
Omar Gonzalez, Hemisfair
Treasurer
Jay Elizalde, Santex Painting and Drywall
Secretary
Lindsey Smith, San Antonio Museum of Art
Darryl Byrd
CEO, SA2020
Past Chair
Kelly Beevers, Hixon Properties
Trish Deberry
President, The Deberry Group
Pat DiGiovanni
CEO, Centro Partnership
Andi Rodriguez
SAISD
Graham Weston
Chairman, Rackspace
Taylor Allen, Big Red Dog Engineering/Consulting
Stephen Dyer, Peppermill Ventures
Maria Hernandez, Pape-Dawson Engineers
Luke Holland, C&C Construction
Ryan Kuhl, City of San Antonio
Alyssa Long, USAA
Forrest Myane, Autism Community Network
Laura Elizabeth Morales-Welch, KGBTexas
Mareko Prior, City Year San Antonio
Ty Sheehan, Hornberger, Fuller, Garza, Inc.
application &
membership process
why does loop have an
applic ation process?
The application process for LOOP was enacted to
ensure our members fit with the vision and
mission of the organization. We aspire to have
members that are engaged change agents for
our city. We also want to capture information from
our members that will allow us to utilize resources and
create cross-functional resources between industries,
non-profits and other organizations. The application
process provides an opportunity for us to capture quality
members that want to make time to make a difference.
what are the criteria to
become a member?
LOOP members are required to be residents
of Bexar County between the ages of 22 and
40. All members are required to pay an annual
membership fee of $100.
are there cer tain criteria i mus t
me e t t o s tay a me mbe r?
We ask that our members be as involved as possible in
LOOP on a regular basis. All members are required to either:
Serve on a committee
Serve on a task force: a group put together to
drive a specific program within LOOP
Serve as an event coordinator for a specific event
Volunteer at two events each year (LOOP hosts
an average of one event per month)
are there consequences if you don’t
meet the criteria for the year?
If a member is not an active part of LOOP in some
capacity throughout the year, they risk having their
membership privileges completely revoked.
c a n a n yo n e a p p ly o r d o yo u h av e
to be invited by a member?
Anyone can apply during the membership drives.
Applications are only accepted during designated
membership drives throughout the year.
value of
membership
We lead with others to make San Antonio a premier
destination for other young professionals.
We transform our city through stewardship and influence.
We provide access to quality events that dive into
key issues facing our city (most events are free or
provided at a discount for LOOP members).
We serve as ambassadors for San Antonio’s
young professional scene.
We build social and business connections
with groups of engaged professionals.
The value of a membership with LOOP centers on
the members in the organization. LOOP was started as a
way for young professionals in San Antonio to connect
with each other, become more involved citizens in the
community and give back to San Antonio in positive ways
through meaningful work, events and volunteering.
Becoming a LOOP member immerses you into a group of
people who are driving positive change in San Antonio.
You will be exposed to all the major issues affecting our
City and you’ll get the chance to work with the influencers
behind them.
The value of your membership is driven by
the social and business connection and networking
initiatives that you take advantage of during your time in
the organization. As an organization we can help you
connect with people in many different industries across the
City and we can show you the ways to get involved and
make a positive impact.
Our members are a group of young professionals that are
serving as change agents for San Antonio.
We engage with key issues in our community including the
arts, education, urban revitalization, transportation,
economic competitiveness, environmental protection and
sustainability.
loop engages
SA Tomorrow Speaker Series at AIA San Antonio
We Are San Antonio panel discussions at the Cameo Theater
LOOP Gives Back at the SA Food Bank
LOOP Goes Local at the Dorcol Distillery
LOOP for your Health, with the American Heart Association
Cooking Class and Educational Discussion at IBC Bank
Tobin Center Preview Tour
LOOP Get Smart, Official Voting Guide event at Geekdom
ambassador
program
The Ambassador Program helps promote and provide
informational resources to young professionals
looking to make San Antonio their home. The
program will work to build resources that will
connect young professionals with current residents to
experience the assets that San Antonio has to offer.
The network of local ambassadors will be matched
with prospective residents and provide insight to the
city and local offerings.
recurring
pechakucha
When: Once every quarter (dates to be posted on
LOOP’s website as they become available)
Where: Varies, check website for details
What: PechaKucha is an event showcasing presentations
from San Antonio residents who talk about what inspires
them most in their work and their lives. The presentations
are constructed of 20 images that show on a screen for
20 seconds. The presenters only have a brief amount of
time to talk about their images, keeping the audience
engaged and hungry for more. The events are held
globally and usually take place in a casual setting with
food and drinks. PechaKucha is a night that is meant to
get people thinking, intrigued and curious about
the different projects, places and people in our community.
sama ar t par t y
When: Every second Friday of the month from 6-8 pm
Where: San Antonio Museum of Art
200 W. Jones Ave, San Antonio, TX 78215
What: Enjoy the San Antonio Museum of Art and mingle
with other LOOP members, young professionals and
San Antonio residents as you enjoy eats and drinks
on the lawn. $10 entry, free for SAMA Members.
loop social
LOOP Mission Reach Kayaking
LOOP-up at the SA-Town-Get-Down 90’s Party at Tucker’s
LOOP-up at San Antonio Be-Cause
Downtown Progressive Dinner
LOOP-up at the Young Government Leaders Holiday
Party at the Aloft
LOOP-up at the SAISD Foundation educational
breakfast at Lamar Elementary
LOOP-up Crockett Birthday Party by the Alamo Beer
Company
LOOP-up at the Rooftop Party at ArtPace
committees
One of the best ways to get involved with LOOP as a new
member is to be a part of a committee. These committees
are the driving force behind the success of the organization.
You will be a part of a smaller group that is working
on projects to keep LOOP going strong. Your talents
and expertise are always welcome and we encourage
you to be an active committee member.
Once accepted into LOOP, you will be asked to
specify what committees interest you. You will then be
assigned to a committee based on your interests and
skills. The chair of your committee will get in touch
with you regarding specifics. Most committees consist
of 12-14 members and meet once per month.
fin a n c e & fu ndr a i s in g commi t t e e
Chairs: Jay Elizalde and Forrest Myane
The Finance & Fundraising Committee provides
oversight for the financial operations of LOOP and
makes recommendations to the Board of Directors
regarding funding for LOOP and its activities.
The Committee is responsible for developing the
operating budget and a fundraising plan
l e a de r s hip a dvo c ac y comm u ni t y
e duc at i on commi t t e e (l ac e)
Chairs: Laura Elizabeth Welch and Stephen Dyer
The Leadership Advocacy Community Education Committee
will develop leadership training and programming that
educates its membership on community issues and will work
to establish LOOP as the thought leader and voice for young
professionals with policy makers and community leaders.
communic ations commit tee
Chairs: Alyssa Long and Luke Holland
The Marketing & Communications committee creates
and implements a marketing and communications
strategy. This includes such duties as, determining the
look and feel for all marketing and communication efforts,
developing content for all marketing and communications
efforts, working with media outlets to promote the
organization and its events and collaborating with
other committees to help them realize their goals.
membership committee
Chair: Ty Sheehan and Omar Gonzalez zz
The Membership committee oversees the development
of member engagement tools, such as a forum for
member collaboration, managing member involvement
and commitments, as well as implementing membership
drives and managing both the membership
database and prospective member database.
me tric s & e valuation commit tee
Chairs: Ryan Kuhl and Mareko Prior
The Metrics & Evaluation committee seeks to provide
measurable results created by the activities and programs
of the LOOP membership, as well as obtain citywide metrics
to aid in measuring LOOP’s impact at a regional level.
programming & events committee
Chairs: Lindsey Smith and Maria Hernandez
The Programming and Events Committee develops a
diverse social calendar that fosters networking among
other professionals, showcases our community’s
cultural and recreational amenities, and promotes
volunteerism and community involvement.
ambassador program
Chairs: Taylor Allen and Brian Hurtak
The Ambassador Program helps promote and provide
informational resources to young professionals looking to
make San Antonio their home. The program will work to
build resources that will connect young professionals with
current residents to experience the assets that San Antonio
has to offer. The network of local ambassadors will be
matched with prospective residents and provide insight to
the city and local offerings. This committee will spearhead
the organization and outreach to potential new residents.
connecting young
professionals to
boards and
commissions
One of the goals of LOOP is to provide our members with
new opportunities to grow personally and professionally.
We are constantly seeking out new opportunities for our
members to serve on boards and committees and will
provide a list to all members as they become available.
The executive committee is consistently reaching out to
organizations, groups and non-profits throughout town to
develop a list of qualifications, processes and procedures
for being involved on boards. This information will be
provided to new members as it becomes available.
members
Learn about what you want to get from LOOP! We also
rely on members to send us information on any events
they feel are valuable for members as well as photos.
If you have an idea for an event or topic for discussion,
please email i n f o @ l o o p - s a . c o m
If you have photos from a LOOP event or any time LOOPers
are out around town, please email i n f o @ l o o p - s a . c o m
Surveys will be provided to members on a
regular basis to get feedback and ideas.
thanks to
our sponsors
Engage.
Lead.
Transform.