2009

• Fred Middleton

  Texas Cavaliers. Bio to come.

• Gloria Ray

  2001 president, Fiesta San Antonio Commission. Bio to come.

• John Steen Jr.

  2008 president, Fiesta San Antonio Commission. Bio to come.

2008

• Richard Uriegas

  Commissioner, Texas Community Health Network, which sponsors Pinatas in the Barrio.
  
  Rick Uriegas is a leader, an organizer and a community volunteer. He is a 2005 scholarship recipient to the International Festivals and Events Association’s national conference. He is a force when aligned with any organization. In 2000 Rick received the Profiles in Leadership Award for outstanding service to the community.
  
  Since 1996, Rick has been both the chairman and chief fundraiser for Piñatas
  In the Barrio. This event is sponsored by the Texas Community Health Network, a nonprofit corporation in his neighborhood. Rick is directly responsible for the production and development of “Piñatas” and its adoption as an official event of Fiesta San Antonio.
  
  In 2005 Rick decided that the Piñatas community should be able to enjoy more of the Fiesta flavor. He adopted the concept of the official Fiesta poster unveiling just for Piñatas. The event has been a huge success, bringing much pride to the historic Plaza Guadalupe neighborhood. The unveiling party has also produced additional revenue for Piñatas in the Barrio.
  
  Piñatas is one of just two Fiesta events produced especially for the senior citizens of San Antonio. In association with other Texas Community Health Network projects, like the Casa de Confianza Adult Day Care Center, this annual production keeps hope alive in the senior community. Seniors from the area are crowned as unofficial royalty and appear at events during Fiesta. The Piñatas program is located in the heart of the West Side of San Antonio. Rick has provided an event celebrating family, entertainment and education.

• Virginia Van Cleave

  Commissioner, Alamo Couriers Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. It sponsors the Children’s Texas History Forum.
  
  Virginia Van Cleave has served as president of two participating member organizations of the Fiesta San Antonio Commission. She has served as an officer on the boards of three other PMOs and as a PMO commissioner for three groups. She has also been a Fiesta elected commissioner. Yet she remains an unassuming volunteer who is equally comfortable working behind the scenes or in front of a group.
  
  In 2000 Virginia created a new Fiesta event that would affect the future of Fiesta by creating a Children’s Texas History Forum. Thousands of children have taken part in this “hands on” learning experience at the Alamo. Kids have received a memento of the event. Teachers get a historical map for their classrooms. The program has now expanded and is reaching out to home-schooled children.
  
  Virginia has clearly affected Fiesta San Antonio in a positive and long-lasting way by teaching children the importance of strength and character. The forum tells kids why the men who fought at the Alamo and at San Jacinto are true heroes and why the Fiesta Commission continues to honor their fight for liberty. During their lives, these students will forever associate this citywide celebration as a tribute to the memory of those heroes.
  

2007

• Mary Begia

  Mary Begia joined the Miss Fiesta San Antonio Scholarship Pageant Board of Directors in 1997; served as its president from 2001 through 2003; as a PMO Commissioner from 2000 to 2001 and is serving as the Fiesta Commission Executive Committee’s 2005 treasurer. Holding these positions has provided her the platform she needed to move the organization forward. The scholarship program has grown under her leadership and now includes scholarships for all participants. She successfully spearheaded an effort to bring former contestants into the organization providing a new dimension and strength to the organization.

• Amelia Garza

  
  

  Amelia C. Garza has been a Fiesta volunteer extraordinaire for 20 years, beginning with raising scholarship money for her husband’s reign as El Rey Feo XL and continuing to support Fiesta events. As a founding member of Lo Bello de San Antonio Women’s Club in 1993, she has served in many leadership roles and has helped to raise more than half a million dollars for education. In 2005 and with her leadership attributes, Lo Bello’s Champagne and Diamonds event made its debut. In 2007, after two very successful years, Lo Bello became an official Fiesta PMO – a dream come true for Amelia.

2006

• Rosemary Kowalski

  
  

  When Sticky Wickets, the Blessed Sacrament Academy’s annual celebrity croquet tournament, came into being in 1991, Rosemary Kowalski was there. Not only was she there, she was largely instrumental in the shape it took. Her organizational skills along with her ability to plan and execute events helped Sticky Wickets to become a wonderful, ever expanding, successful fun event that engages communitywide participation. Now, 15 years later, she is an ongoing advocate of this yearly event and of the programs it helps fund, all at no cost to the organization.

  
  

• Mary Schug

  Not one but two events. Mary Schug has made a lasting impact on Fiesta beginning with founding of the first King William Fair in 1968, serving as Arts and Craft Chairman for the first two years. The Fair has grown to be one of the most popular Fiesta events. In 1974, Mary worked to establish the River Art Group’s first Fiesta River Art Show, thus establishing the River Art Group as a Fiesta PMO. Mary has given thousands of volunteer hours to these two Fiesta events and has been a constant presence at the monthly Fiesta Commission meetings and other related functions over many years.

2005

• Jack Hebdon

  Jack Hebdon’s official involvement in Fiesta began at age 4 when he served as a Page to the Princess in the Order of the Alamo’s “Court of the Golden Journey.” But it is the work he’s done in the past 17 years that have earned him a place in the Order. In 1998, as Ticket Sales Chairman for the Texas Cavaliers River Parade, he reached out to several other participating member organizations, or PMOs, and established a centralized ticket booth at RiverCenter Mall. The following year he instituted a customer database and ticketing system that greatly improved ticket sales and led to annual sellouts of River Parade tickets. In 1995 Jack secured a local station to become the “Official Fiesta TV Station.” In 2000, he negotiated a TV agreement for broadcast of the 3 main parades, public service announcements, ads and other Fiesta promotions. He convinced the station to add more cameras and remote locations. In 2002 Jack chaired the first Corporate Partners Committee and increased revenues to the Commission by almost $140,000. He helped sponsors find ways to better promote their products during Fiesta and initiated parade packages for increased sponsorship value. Net sponsorship dollars increased. As Fiesta Commission Treasurer, Jack made changes to the PMO allocation process to make rules consistent and to ensure fair administration. As chair of the Insurance Committee he moved the Commission’s insurance to a new provider with improved coverage. He served on 17 committees over five years and chaired eight.

  
  
  

• Susie Martin

  Susie Martin is an initiator. In 1996, she brought fireworks to the Band Festival, giving the event a needed boost. She introduced souvenir patches for the students’ letter jackets. As Battle of Flowers Parade Chair she created the first Battle of Flowers button and designed the present Battle of Flowers official flag. She added music to the public school floats; enlisted local banks to furnish 10,000 fans and popular foam hats for the parade spectators. She brought in the “Big Horn” from Georgia and broke the record for sales of the giant helium balloons. As Battle of Flowers President, she created the first Battle Bulletin Newsletter and designed a new medal for previous Parade Chairs.

• Penny McCutchen Gardner

  Penny McCutchen Gardner’s Fiesta contributions across the years have been considerable. Penny was a founding board member of the Queen of Soul Pageant and has been responsible for the personal development and etiquette training for hundreds of young women who might not otherwise have strong role models or opportunities to participate in the Fiesta experience. She was also instrumental in bringing about the inclusion of the Queen of Soul Pageant as a PMO, and the Queen of Soul is a now a recognized member of Fiesta Royalty. She is currently President of this organization. Her dedication and commitment to young women and pageants spans 31 years of service to the San Antonio community, and has spread to the Miss Fiesta San Antonio Scholarship Pageant, where she has served on the Board of Directors since 1983.

2004

• Les Paulick

  As a transplanted Texan, Les began to understand and truly appreciate the Fiesta Commission and the work it does while serving on the Rey Feo court in 1989. Following the Centennial celebration and the Commission's unexpected financial loss, Les stepped forward and successfully contacted numerous vendors negotiating a "donation" to the Commission. As the Conservation Society made plans for a NIOSITA fund raiser Les got busy selling tables. In 1993, the Fiesta Commission attended the IFEA meeting in Rotterdam to promote the following year's meeting in San Antonio and once again Les was there. Paying his own expenses Les took on the responsibility of packing and shipping food and decorations to Rotterdam for a Mexican Fiesta. In fact, Les and his company paid the freight charges. When Les was asked to host a guest festival for the Commission, he eagerly accepted and using his own personal funds he welcomed them in true San Antonio style. He did such a stellar job he continues to helped host the event each year.
  

• Robert Reed (deceased)

  Inducted in 2004, Reed was honored for his commitment to Fiesta, which has included positions as Treasurer, Secretary, Elected Commissioner and President of the FSAC. He served on numerous committees including the accreditation committee and the trademark committee. He is also responsible for the establishment of the FSAC as a 501(c)(3) committee, making a significant difference in the way the committee operates.
  

2003

• Claus Heide

  As President of the Beethoven Maennerchor, Claus Heide has built attendance and popularity of their annual event, Fiesta Gardenfest. While President, Heide oversaw the sponsorship of floats in most Fiesta parades, their involvement with the King William Fair, and the annual hosting of Fiesta royalty. He has also held positions on the Nominating Committee, Compliance Committee, Retreat Committee, Bylaws Committee and the Education Scholarship Committee. He has also served as an Elected Commissioner on the Executive Committee.
  

• Louis Sanchez

  Since 1973 Louis Sanchez has helped plan, organize, and present the Fiesta Oyster Bake of the St. Mary's Alumni Association. This event went from an attendance of several hundred to the thousands that attend today. Louis has held numerous leadership positions including Secretary, Treasurer, Presidential Appointee, Vice President and President of the FSAC. He is also responsible for continuing the traditions of the Miss Fiesta Pageant and the Fiesta Flambeau Parade after the death of their creator.  He is also responsible for the re-organization of the FSAC and credited with laying the foundation for re-organization that allowed the Commission to grow into what we all enjoy today.
  

2002

• Jane Cheever Powell

  Powell was recognized for her many exceptional volunteer efforts, beginning with her involvement as a member of the Membership Committee where she was the leading fundraiser for two years. She demonstrated further involvement through the positions of Chair of the Art Scholarship Committee and Treasurer for the FSAC. She is also responsible for finding a home for the extensive records and historical data of the FSAC at the Special Collections Section of the UTSA Library.

• Thad W. Ziegler

  Since 1977, T.W. Ziegler has been very involved with the Texas Cavaliers. Highlights of his involvement include President of the Executive Committee of the Texas Cavaliers (1998), Chairman of Float Preparations (1981), Chairman of Pre-Parade Preparations (1982), and Chairman of Seating and Placements (1983-84). He has also held positions as River Parade Vice Marshall (1986) and Marshall (1987), Captain of the King's Guard (1989), his reign as King Antonio LXX (1992), and finally, Chairman of the King's Council (2000).

2001

• Joan Gaither

  Gaither is credited with the establishment of the Victorian Gala, the focus of which is to provide a glimpse of the "Gilded Age" from the original days of Fiesta. Her participation has led to the creation of an event which is now noted as one of the premier re-enactment balls in the United States and brings in numerous guests from San Antonio and all around the state.

• Tom Sineni

  Local businessman and real estate developer Tom Sineni was recognized for fulfilling a long held dream of Fiesta, to own a building of their very own. Tom Sineni and his company, United Commercial Realty, joined their efforts to plan, organize, and develop a building that is now home of the Fiesta San Antonio Commission, Inc.

2000

• Orlando Cisneros

  It was Orlando Cisneros that had the goal of bringing Fiesta to the children of the San Antonio State School for the mentally retarded and severely disabled. To achieve this goal, he formed a committee which developed the San Antonio State School Fiesta Family Festival. Through his efforts, Cisneros brought floats, parades, Fiesta royalty, bands, and food booths to the children of the school and created their recognition as a Participating Member Organization (PMO), with all profits from the event returning to the school. Cisneros also held the title of President of the Fiesta Flambeau Parade Association, Chairman of the Mariachi Festival and Elected Commissioner of the FSAC.

• Edward Steves

  Edward Steves was inducted in 2000.

1999

• Marsha Hendler

  Marsha Hendler was recognized for development of the Faces of Fiesta during Fiesta's 1991 Centennial celebration. Each year more than 75,000 volunteers from across the city come together to produce more than 150 Fiesta Events. In a 100-day countdown, a Fiesta volunteers were selected for each day, with their photograph and biography displayed in the San Antonio Express-News. These 100 volunteers marched together in the People's Parade, and special Centennial event. The following year the Order of the Cascaron was begun as an outgrowth of this highly successful program.

• Lee Vogel

  Lee Vogel inducted in 1999.

1998

• Don Morris (deceased)

  Morris is remembered for his love for the arts and the role that it plays in the traditions of Fiesta. His contribution began by volunteering to serve as an independent committee which would evaluate entries, interview artists, and select scholarship recipients for the FSAC Scholarship Program, now known as the Art Competition Program. During the first year of the program, he assembled entries and held both candidate interviews and committee meetings in his home. He not only decided which pieces of art should be purchased from the winning candidate and added to the FSAC art collection, but personally paid to have each work professionally matted and framed. He is also known for his involvement with the drive to purchase the FSAC headquarters building.

• Pete Ortiz

  Pete Ortiz inducted in 1998.

• Janice Ricks

  Ricks was honored for her impressive involvement and dedication to Fiesta, in part due to her various leadership positions, which include Elected Commissioner, Executive Committee Member, Fiesta Commission Host Committee Member, Sponsor and Co-Sponsor of the Fiesta Fireworks events, and Fiesta Building Fund Committee Member. She is accredited with chairing the Fiesta Fashion Show committee established to assure that funds would be available to offset any deficit the commission might encounter during that time, resulting in a net profit of $10,0000 plus. Recognizing her fundraising expertise, Ricks was then asked to assist with the Miss Fiesta Scholarship Pageant, and has been an integral part of its success over the past ten years.

1997

• Marshal T. Clegg

  Marshall Clegg holds an extensive Fiesta background and has made many contributions to Fiesta. With over 40 years of involvement, he has distinguished himself as President of the Order of the Alamo, Commander of the Texas Cavaliers, King Antonio, and President of the Fiesta San Antonio Commission. He is also accredited with bridging the gap between the military and civilian sectors of San Antonio by personally assuring the invite of Military Commanders to various Fiesta events.

1996

• Frank Butler (deceased)

  Butler was recognized for his numerous contributions to Fiesta, including his role as one of the original visionaries who proposed an African-American Fiesta event, sponsored by the San Antonio Zulu Association. Once titled Fiesta West, this event later came to be known as A Taste of New Orleans, now held at St. Paul's Square. Butler is also responsible for leading the Zulu Association in becoming the first PMO to make a contribution to the Commission in order to liquidate the Centennial Celebration debt. He has held positions on the Board of Commissions and many other Fiesta Committees.

• Paul R. Rossbach

  Rossbach was originally recruited to help revamp the FSAC's annual magazine. He has served on the FSAC since 1993, where he has sat on the Executive Committee, and held terms as Chairman of the Accreditation, By-Laws, Compliance, Marketing, Merchandising, and Television Committees, in addition to serving as the Founding Chairman of the Scholarship Committee. Rossbach has also headed "Operation FiestArabia" which sent packages of Fiesta items to San Antonians who were deployed overseas during the first Gulf war and during Fiesta Centennial in 1991.

1995

• Nick Garza

  Garza was acknowledged for contributing his time and efforts to alleviate the debt left behind from the Centennial Celebration. As an avid Fiesta fan, Garza has been an active member of various committees, including the Host Committee, Chairman of the Compliance Committee, Equity Committee, Special Presidential Appointee and member of the Executive Committee, and most notably, the royal title of Rey Feo in 1989.

• Robert Mason

  Mason was inducted into the Order of the Cascaron for his vision in creating a Fiesta event would benefit the St. Mary's University Alumni Association. This led to the development of Fiesta Oyster Bake, where he has held the titles of both Chairman and Grounds Manager. His roles have required his involvement in everything from the development of position descriptions for volunteers, to the establishment of organizational structures that bring stability to the event.
  

1994

• Frank Burney

  For more than twenty years, Frank Burney has provided outstanding legal and professional representation to the Fiesta Commission and has played a pertinent role in many of the decisions of the Fiesta Committee. Burney has been accredited with contributing to the growth and expansion of the Fiesta Carnival, as well as maintaining relationships between the Fiesta San Antonio Commission (FSAC) and the city council.
  

• Linda Lee Davis (deceased)

  Linda Lee Davis was rewarded for her development of Senior Fiesta and the Goodwill Fiesta Fair.  These events were designed to create an enjoyable Fiesta experience for both the elderly and the disabled.  Through her efforts, these groups became PMOs recognized by the Fiesta San Antonio Commission.  Davis’ involvement with Fiesta also includes her position as Military Ambassador for the Military/Civilian Club and Chairman of the Order of the Cascaron.

• Pete R. Martinez

  Martinez's Fiesta involvement began with his participation marching in Fiesta parades in 1952 and 1953. He is also recognized for his 14 years of service as Board chair for 6 major non-profits in San Antonio. In addition, he has held the positions of Executive Board member, President and Board Treasurer of the FSAC, helping to overcome the obstacle of obtaining four $100,000 contributions for the Centennial Celebration, initiating a two-day planning retreat in 1992 for the Board of Commissioners, and presenting the first FSAC Mission Statement that remains today.

1993

• Robert Carlson

  Robert Carlson was inducted into the Order of the Cascaron as a result of his active involvement in a variety of Fiesta activities. He is responsible for contributing to the successful fundraising efforts to retire the Centennial Celebration debt through the establishment of a new source of revenue via corporate donations and official sponsorships. Carlson managed to retire the debt while still meeting a Centennial budget of over $800,000. Carlson provided additional funding by creating active fund raising/events with the help of such Participating Member Organizations as the Conservation Society and individuals like Edward Steves, Nancy and Jim Zachry, to name a few. Carlson also founded the Order of the Cascaron. Carlson's dedicated involvement with Fiesta also includes his role as President of the Fiesta San Antonio Commission, Inc in 1992.

• Agnes Harwood

  Agness Harwood's membership to the Order was a result of her exceptional volunteer efforts, which includes the establishment of a Fiesta Store. This creation began with the selling of merchandise at meetings and out of her vehicle, which her children jokingly teased her of needing a peddler's license to operate. Harwood is also contributed with the issuing of Fiesta pins at the Battle of Flowers and the Witte Museum and helping to start the San Antonio Zoo Fiesta Art Show. She has held positions of Parade Chairman, President of the Battle of Flowers Committee, and President of the Fiesta Committee.
  

• Don Moye

  Don Moye was recognized for his involvement with Fiesta and the creation of the Taste of New Orleans event. His organization has remained a strong supporter of the FSAC and is noted as begin the first organization to contribute to the recovery of the Commission. Various positions have included membership in the Executive Committee, President of the Fiesta San Antonio Commission and Board Member of the Texas Festivals and Events Committee, a group responsible for encouraging PMOs to get involved with various Fiesta-related events.

• Dennis O'Malley (deceased)

  Dennis O'Malley was credited with the establishment of the Corporate Sponsorship Program, which has directly impacted the participating member organizations who literally put on Fiesta. He was also an instrumental in the development of Fiesta events such as Texas Live and has held the esteemed title of Rey Feo.

• Thad M. Ziegler

  Ziegler was recognized for his extensive Fiesta involvement, dating back to 1966. He has served as President of the FSAC and Operations Chairman of the River Parade Ticket Sales and Float Operators, River Parade Operations Officer, Vice Marshall, and Marshall. Previous involvement also includes his membership on the Miss Fiesta San Antonio Pageant Board. Ziegler served as the Day Aide to both King Antonio LIII and LVI before assuming the King Antonio LXVI position.

Charter Members - 1992

• Carol Canty

  Canty was inducted into the Order of the Cascaron after twenty years of volunteerism with the Band Festival and Battle of Flowers Parade. As president of the FSAC, she headed and planned the reorganization of the Fiesta Flambeau Parade by drafting by-laws and educating new volunteers after a disagreement between two groups left the parade in jeopardy. She is also responsible for organizing and chairing the People Parade for the Centennial Fiesta Celebration (1991), involving thousands of people and many non-profit groups from all around the city.

• Nancy Clayton

  Nancy Clayton's contribution involved a desire to incorporate the many high school flag units into Fiesta parades after noticing these students sitting in the stands watching their schoolmates march by. It became her commitment to provide a spectacular opening and closing ceremony to the Battle of Flowers Band Festival, featuring choreographed flag routines. Since its creation, these ceremonies have become a tradition, capturing the attention of all who see them. Clayton was also for many years a freelance writer, providing great exposure for this event in various national music publications.
  

• Louis Engelke (deceased)

  Louis Engelke was known for the establishment of Herman's Happiness. As Grand President and CEO of the Grand Lodge, he aspired to create an event that would bring food, fun and music to the 500 block of St. Mary's St. His event, which began occupying a small lot, now, expands over the entire Hermann Sons complex. Engelke also served as a Presidential Appointee on the Fiesta Commission Executive Committee and held a position on the Commission 's Membership Committee.

• Roger Flores (deceased)

  Roger Flores was recognized for his contribution to Fiesta when he developed the foundation of a permanent organization of former Rey Feo's known as the Consejo de Reyes Feos Anteriores. The group's goal is to continue the ideas and objectives of the Rey Feo Scholarship Committee of providing education resource to students of San Antonio. Rey Feo, Fiesta royalty, and other dignitary, past and present in the organization are honored each year in an annual reception.

• James W Gorman Jr.

  James Gorman was inducted for his involvement with Fiesta San Antonio serving as President of the Farmer's Market Commission PMO and the creation of their Fiesta event. Gorman has held numerous positions, including Lord High Chamberlain for the Queen's Coronation, Board Member of the Texas Bi-Centennial Commission, Co-Founder of the Miss Fiesta Pageant, and most notably, President of the FSAC and his reign as King Antonio LI.

• Bob Heckman

  Bob Heckman was recognized for his volunteer efforts as a First Aid coordinator. He is accredited with recruiting and coordinating several volunteers with medical backgrounds to ensure the safety of the San Antonio community throughout every Fiesta event. Between 1981 and 1999, Heckman could have been found personally staffing many of the numerous First Aid stations at various Fiesta events.

• Naomi Russell-Wolfman

  Naomi Russell-Wolfman was credited with originally organizing the Southwest Craft Center Fiesta Arts Fair and has served as the Fiesta Arts Fair Advisor. As President of the San Antonio Arts League-Museum, she also initiated the Attic Sale during the King William Fair. She has also held the position of Vice President of the San Antonio Conservation Society, General Chairman of a Night in Old San Antonio (NIOSA), and in 1995 President of the Fiesta San Antonio Commission, Inc.

• Logan Stewart (deceased)

  Inducted in 1992.

• Maximo Virgil (deceased)

  Max Virgil was recognized for his organization of the Confederation of Charros, which became a PMO in 1971 and is responsible for staging a Fiesta Week event complete with a coronation of Miss Charro and Fiesta Charra, paying tribute the cultural event of the Mexican Rodeo. His efforts included coordinating all charro activities for the charro groups in San Antonio and electing a Miss Charro to represent all local charro organizations. He placed a Fiesta spin on the event with the development of the Asociación de Charro de San Antonio where attendees of Fiesta San Antonio could attend and get a glimpse into the culture and tradition of the charreada. Virgil has also held a position on the Fiesta Commission Executive Committee.