Presenter

Mr. Leo Gomez

President & CEO Brooks

President & Chief Executive Officer Leo Gomez is responsible for leading the Brooks Development Authority and Brooks Gives Back by working with the Board of Directors and staff to establish long-range strategic plans and policies to implement the redevelopment of Brooks and regional prosperity. He leads the organization’s efforts to attract marquee employers by working closely with public officials, economic development partners, and the private sector.

Leo became Vice President of Public and Government Affairs for Spurs Sports & Entertainment in 1996. He left Spurs Sports & Entertainment for two years to serve as General Manager of Administration with Toyota Manufacturing, Texas before returning to Spurs Sports & Entertainment in 2005. His distinguished career also includes serving as President of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. Leo began his professional career as an intern with the U.S. General Accounting Office in Washington, D.C. He also worked with the Research and Planning Division with the Texas Department of Commerce before being named the Assistant Director for the Tomas Rivera Center at Trinity University.

Leo is very active in the San Antonio community serving on the Board of Directors of numerous organizations including greater:SATX, Arboretum of San Antonio and SA Report. He also graduated from the FBI San Antonio Citizens Academy.

Leo has received a number of local and national recognitions, including being featured in the Notable People of San Antonio 2020 Exhibit, named to the San Antonio Business Journal’s list of national commercial real estate influencers in 2019 and earning Power Broker recognition from the San Antonio Express-News. Leo also received the San Antonio Business Journal’s C-Suite Award in September 2018 and was named a “Legend” for his lasting impact on the Southside by the South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce in 2017

Speaking at

Tue Oct 29 2:30 PM — 3:30 PM (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time Resorts World Las Vegas - Level 2, Blossom ABC

Driving the Data to Spur Redevelopment

Mr. Leo Gomez, Brooks

Ms. Connie Gonzalez, Brooks

Category Mixed-Use

Type AIA LU AICP CM Concurrent Session Open to All Attendees

This session will showcase the journey of transforming a former Air Force Base into a national model for redevelopment. Brooks' transformation is not just a story of urban renewal; it's a testament to what's possible, turning a 1,308-acre shuttered military installation into a thriving mixed-use community with more than $2.2 billion in investment and counting. The session will unpack strategic insights and decisions that led to Brooks' success, highlighting how the team navigated complex challenges associated with maintaining the site's historical character while updating it with modern infrastructure and amenities suited for current community needs. A key aspect of Brooks' success story is its impact on employment and regional investment, creating more jobs than the Air Force Base previously supported and catalyzing economic growth in a previously overlooked region. The Brooks regional area (7,500-acres) has seen a 36 percent increase in household income, outpacing the City of San Antonio's 32 percent increase over the same period. Attendees will explore the economic strategies and community engagement practices that contributed to surpassing job creation goals while also developing a vibrant community. This session will provide a valuable blueprint for similar urban development projects, emphasizing how underutilized installations can be transformed.