Carlos Alvarez

Businessman

“While he was grateful for his ability to support scholarships, he was more grateful for the opportunities that an Alamo College education afforded our community’s citizens.”

Carlos Alvarez founded The Gambrinus Company in 1986 as the sole importer for the Modelo portfolio of beer brands to the eastern half of the United States, a relationship which lasted for the next 20 years.  He further shaped the beer industry with two renowned craft breweries: the Spoetzl Brewery, brewer of Texas’ iconic Shiner Bock, and the Trumer Brewery in Berkeley, California, brewer of the award-winning Trumer Pils.

While his business success was significant, Carlos was most passionate about expanding educational opportunities. His philanthropy continues to support countless students - including many international and first-generation scholars.  His giving has created lasting pillars in the San Antonio community, including the Alvarez College of Business at UT San Antonio, The Carlos Alvarez School of Arts and Humanities at Trinity University, and the Gambrinus Endowed Scholarships here at the Alamo College District.

Carlos Alvarez’s life was characterized by a deep passion for his business, a dedication to his family, and an unwavering commitment to his philanthropic work. He leaves behind a lasting impact on the beer industry and a legacy of generosity and leadership that will continue to inspire future generations.

Mike & Louise Beldon

Mike and Louise have been married for 63 years and are the parents of four married children. They have been blessed with 13 grandkids and 6 great grandkids. Both have been extremely active in both the local Jewish Community and the greater San Antonio Community. Louise was the chair of the UT Health Science Center Nursing Advisory Board. She also Chaired the Cancer Center Council at the Mays Cancer Center, and is a long time Member of the Board of the San Antonio Medical Foundation. In addition to serving the Alamo Colleges as Chairman Emeritus of the Alamo Colleges Foundation, Mike has held many other leadership roles including Chairman of the Board of the Jewish Federation of San Antonio, Chairman the Board of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and was the founding Chairman of the Edwards Authority.

Eric Cooper

President & CEO, San Antonio Food Bank

“Opportunity and education are powerful tools that help us not only feed families today but also break the cycle of hunger for tomorrow.”

Known as “the Food Bank Guy,” Eric Cooper is President and CEO of the San Antonio Food Bank. Through his dual strategies of feeding the line and shortening the line, Eric has earned national recognition for a holistic approach that serves the entire community while delivering measurable impact. Committed to extreme efficiencies, he works to bend the cost curve of hunger relief while rescuing surplus food from waste. Eric brings people together around compassion, community, and shared responsibility, a commitment highlighted by National Geographic for his work in partnerships, sustainable agriculture, and the food economy.

Eric serves on the boards of Feeding Texas and Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, and locally on Workforce Solutions Alamo and the San Antonio Housing Trust. A strong advocate for early childhood development, education, and economic mobility, Eric works at the federal, state, and local levels to reduce food insecurity and poverty. A man of faith and family, Eric and his wife Erinn of 34 years have five children.

Deborah Knapp

Emmy Award-Winning Journalist

“It has been one of my life's greatest privileges to meet students whose lives are being transformed through Alamo Colleges - where opportunity is offered, and wrap-around support makes success possible.”

An Emmy Award-winning journalist, Deborah Knapp recently retired from KENS5-TV after 48 years in broadcasting.  Active in the community, she chaired the Las Misiones Advisory Committee, helping raise funds to restore and preserve San Antonio's historic Mission churches.

Deborah is a passionate supporter of student success, serving with Communities in Schools and as treasurer for the Alamo Colleges Foundation.  Through her work, she champions scholarships that ensure students of every background have the opportunity to pursue higher education and have fulfilling careers.

Deborah is married to Celso Gonzalez-Falla and together they have 4 children and 4 grandchildren.

Cappy Lawton

Restaurateur and Entrepreneur

“I still say San Antonio College is one of the best educations I’ve ever gotten—committed teachers, great students, and a really good environment.”

Cappy Lawton is one of San Antonio’s most influential restaurateurs and creative entrepreneurs, best known for shaping beloved institutions such as Cappy’s, La Fonda on Main, Mama’s Café, and Jingu House. Over a career spanning more than five decades, his work has blended thoughtful design, cultural storytelling, and a deep commitment to community—hallmarks that continue to define the Lawton Family of Restaurants today.

Cappy’s journey began at San Antonio College, following his 1965 graduation from Alamo Heights High School. What started as a practical decision became a formative experience he still credits as one of the best educations of his life. At SAC, he found dedicated faculty, a diverse student body, and a learning environment shaped by working students striving to build better futures. That foundation prepared him to transfer to The University of Texas at Austin, where he studied business and engineering.

Before entering the restaurant world, Cappy explored careers in aviation design and automotive repair, experiences that sharpened his entrepreneurial instincts. In 1973, inspired by his time near campus and a desire to create community, he opened The Quarter House, just blocks from SAC. From there, his vision expanded into a portfolio of more than 30 restaurants across Texas.

Cappy and his wife, Suzy, his longtime business partner, built their restaurants around creativity, hospitality, and place. Today, their son Trevor Lawton serves as CEO, carrying the family legacy forward.

Now semi-retired, Cappy continues to give back through philanthropy, design projects, and service on the San Antonio College Centennial Executive Committee, remaining a proud advocate for accessible education and community investment.

Harvey Najim

Businessman and Philanthropist

“Giving back is a reminder of the responsibility we all share to make life better for others.”

Harvey Najim is widely recognized for his generous philanthropy and commitment to the San Antonio community. After founding Sirius Computer Solutions in 1980 and guiding it to national prominence, he established the Harvey E. Najim Charitable Foundation in 2006 to support children’s charities throughout the region. To date, he has contributed more than $202 million to the Foundation, which has distributed over $210 million in grants and pledges, with an additional $250 million committed for the next decade.

His leadership extends across numerous community initiatives, including United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, where he served as 2014 Campaign Chair and later as Board Chair. Najim has been honored with induction into both the San Antonio and Texas Business Halls of Fame, named a Legacy Leader, and awarded the Bexar County Hidalgo Award. His dedication continues through ongoing investments in education, including the Harvey Najim Pathways Scholarship at Alamo Colleges Foundation and support for AlamoPROMISE.

Jim Perschbach

President & CEO of Port San Antonio

“When we invest in education and create real pathways into advanced technologies, we unlock opportunities that lift our entire community and transform lives today and for generations ahead. Our future will be built by the talent we nurture today.”

As President & CEO of Port San Antonio, he’s transforming the 1,900-acre Tech Port campus in our city’s southwest into a powerhouse for aerospace, cyber, defense, manufacturing and emerging technologies. Jim and his team’s efforts are fueling $20 billion in annual economic impact as over 80 on-campus organizations and their 19,000 employees continue to build and thrive in some of our community’s top career paths. 

Jim is equally committed to working hand-in-hand with industry and educational partners by investing in people. He champions bold, innovative collaborations that open doors for K-12 students and adult learners alike, ensuring the region’s homegrown talent thrives in cutting-edge careers. Among those efforts, the Tech Port campus will soon host Alamo Colleges’ upcoming School of Emerging Technologies, further connecting people with life-changing opportunities.

Dr. Robert Ziegler

President Emeritus of San Antonio College

“Of all the degrees that I have, that one [my SAC associate degree] was in many ways the most meaningful to me because SAC has been a huge part of my life.”

Dr. Robert Zeigler is President Emeritus of San Antonio College, where he devoted more than four decades to teaching, leadership, and institutional growth. Born November 2, 1938, Zeigler’s connection to SAC began early when he enrolled in classes in 1959 after serving in the U.S. Navy. His education at SAC ignited a lifelong commitment to community college education and local impact.

Zeigler went on to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in American history from Sam Houston State University, followed by a doctorate in the subject from Texas Tech University. After teaching history at Weatherford College, he returned to SAC in 1971 as a faculty member. Over the years, he advanced through leadership roles—including faculty senate chair, vice president of academic affairs, and vice president of the college—before becoming president in 2002.

Under his leadership, San Antonio College experienced significant expansion and modernization, with new and refurbished buildings, strengthened community partnerships, and growth in student enrollment. He guided SAC through critical institutional partnerships, workforce development initiatives, and an increased focus on diversity and access. In 2014, after 43 years of service, Dr. Zeigler retired as president and was named President Emeritus.

Beyond his campus leadership, Zeigler served on the Alamo Colleges Foundation Board of Directors for three three-year terms (2014–2022), including chairing the Foundation Board’s Finance & Audit Committee in 2021–2022. (Foundation records)

Dr. Zeigler’s legacy reflects a steadfast belief in educational access, community engagement, and the transformative power of a community college education.