Committee recommends Michael Pena and Barbara Acosta to Ready to Work advisory board

The San Antonio Economic and Workforce Development Committee voted May 4 to recommend Michael Pena and Barbara Acosta to the full City Council for appointment to the Ready to Work Advisory Board.

Jamie Nieto, assistant city clerk, briefed the committee on recruitment and vetting: the board has 13 seats with four‑year terms; the city received 15 applications by the April 2 closing date, 12 were deemed eligible after attorney review and an ad hoc committee shortlisted six candidates for interviews.

Michael Pena, who identified himself as a 16‑year member of IBEW Local 60 and recording secretary of his local executive board, told members he would press for expanded apprenticeship access and greater recruitment into trades such as electricians and plumbers. "Throughout my travels from coast to coast, I've had conversations...the desperate need to expand the workforce across all industries," Pena said. Members probed his availability and plans to engage other unions beyond IBEW; Pena confirmed he can attend the committee's regularly scheduled meetings and described past collaboration with carpenters and other trades.

Barbara Acosta, representing Big Homie Street Mentoring, said her organization's frontline work with people impacted by incarceration gives her insight into barriers facing justice‑involved residents. She told the committee her priorities would include youth programming, reentry support and small‑business initiatives to build safer neighborhoods. Council members asked how she would advocate to employers; Acosta emphasized relationship‑building with local employers and second‑chance hiring incentives.

The committee also interviewed other shortlisted candidates, including Trisha Cantu (founder of Grama Opportunities and a Ready to Work participant) and Angelique de Oliveira (chief workforce development officer, Goodwill Industry of San Antonio), who highlighted needs such as better participant intake, coach relationships and transportation and wraparound supports.

After interviews and a session in executive session to consult the city attorney, the committee reconvened and voted to forward a recommendation to the full City Council that Michael Pena be appointed to the trade and labor seat and Barbara Acosta to the organization‑serving‑persons‑with‑high‑barriers seat, both through May 31, 2029. A committee member moved the recommendation and the motion carried with all members present voting in favor; a second was noted but not recorded by name.

Next steps: the City Council will consider the committee's recommendations at a future session; the city clerk will notify appointees and complete membership onboarding if council approves.