S A C I V   B O A R D   O F   D I R E C T O R S  -   2 0 1 2

J.F. Bierlein - Chairman
J.F. Bierlein, B.A. M.A., has nearly 30 years’ experience in writing, translating, and editing for Federal agencies and contractors, including proposal development and project delivery. He spent 7 years working on Capitol Hill as a legislative analyst and assistant. As a Federal contractor, he was a lead/writer editor for contracts in support of the U.S. Departments of Energy, Health and Human Services, and Department of Justice. He later was a publications manager for CH2M HILL. J.F. was an Adjunct Professor in the Washington Semester Program at American University in Washington DC for 10 years and also managed a student exchange program with Seikei University, Japan. He currently serves as Senior Associate and Communications Manager for Coley & Associates where he has been active in GSA Schedule support, Proposal Development, and eLearning efforts. J.F. is the author of three published books in English, and two in Spanish and Portuguese. He is fluent in English, Portuguese, German, French, and Spanish. An active member of Toastmasters International (Alamo City chapter), J.F. is also an accomplished gardener, winemaker, and painter.

Jose Luis Garcia - Vice Chairman
José Luis García currently serves as the City of San Antonio’s Aviation MarketingManager for theSan Antonio Airport.  He works to promote international growth in commercial andgeneral air service, air cargo, aircraft maintenanceand target business development. José Luis previously served as Chief of Protocol for the City of San Antonio and as director of the City’s International Relations Office.  In these roles, he helped program the visits of over 1,500 delegations to San Antonio.  Key projects under his supervision included the visits of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip; Presidents of Brazil, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Poland, and Spain, among others.  José Luis also served as the City’s liaison to the NAFTA signing ceremony, Latin America Anti-Drug Summit, and the Trilateral Technology Summits (2002-2005) between Monterrey, Mexico; Calgary, Canada and San Antonio.  José Luis serves as an Honorary Board Member for Sister Cities International in Washington, DC; and has served on the boards of the San Antonio-Mexico Friendship Council, and the National Protocol Officers Association in Washington, D.C.  His honors include decoration of the Orden de Isabel la Católica, en grado Cruz de Oficial bestowed by the Government of Spain; former recipient of SACIV International Leadership Award; Consulate of Mexico-Award for Outstanding Service in U.S.-Mexico relations and recognition by the Federation of Mexican Communities Living Abroad.

 

Justin Rice - Secretary
Justin Rice is an in-house attorney with The Nature Conservancy, a non-profit headquartered in Washington D.C. whose mission is to preserve plants, animals, and natural communities in the U.S. and abroad by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. Justin has spent considerable time in Latin America (including managing a fishing lodge in the Yucatan) and was a Rotary Ambassadorial Graduate Scholar at El Colegio de Mexico in Mexico City focusing on Mexican foreign policy. Justin grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas, received his law degree from the University of Texas and conducts admission interviews for his undergrad alma mater, Rice University. Justin joined SACIV in 2000 and also serves on the board of the World Affairs Council.

 

Cav. Francesco Cristadoro - Treasurer
Cav. Francesco Cristadoro has been Consular correspondent of Italy from 1981 to present, in the promotion and development of activities between Italy and the United States. Cav. Francesco Cristadoro received his Masters of Science in Electronics Engineering Specialization in Nuclear Physics and Management from the University "La Sapienza" in Rome, Italy. He has been engaged in professional positions involving systems engineering and consulting for major engineering and governmental entities, including the US Air Force. He is heavily engaged in community activities and in 1991 received from the President of Italy, the title of Knight to The Order of the Republic of Italy. Cav. Cristadoro joined SACIV in 1999 and is the former President of Christopher Columbus Italian Society.

Dr. Linda Psalmonds, Executive Director
Dr. Linda Psalmonds is a global consultant for an international data and customer solutions corporation. Her work experience includes executive level positions at three of the nation’s largest specialty multi-brand retailers. In addition, Linda teaches mathematics online and is a prayer minister at her church. Her community work includes chairing the corporate challenge for the Arthritis Foundation, and participating in Habitat for Humanity projects. Linda has been an active member of SACIV since 2005, designing and implementing the "Celebrating Citizen Diplomacy" program in 2007.

 

 

Dr. Bernard "Ben" Buecker
Ben Buecker's contribution to citizen diplomacy began in the late 1970’s as a Fulbright scholar at University of Heidelberg Faculty of Law. During the 1980s his efforts resulted in the Distinguished Service Cross (Federal Republic of Germany) and the German American Friendship Award. Ben's work continued into the 1990’s and the twenty first century. In 2008, he received the Award of Merit from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children for Outstanding Commitment to the Protection of Children and Knowledge of Hague International Child Abduction Issues. Ben remains active in citizen diplomacy and has served as board chair for the San Antonio Council for International Visitors and the San Antonio World Trade Association (European Group) in addition to serving as Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany. Ben has been a member of SACIV since 1990.

 

Mamie Benitez Campbell,
Mamie Benitez Campbell (formerly of the Rio Grande Valley, South Texas) has been a community activist in San Antonio for over 25 years, actively participating in the local San Antonio Women's Chamber of Commerce, Business Professional Women's Organizations as well as other local chambers and organizations. Mamie’s contribution to citizen diplomacy spans a depth and breadth of areas that serve our city, community and nation. She currently serves as president of the Alamo Chapter Unit 1836 of the Ladies’ Auxiliary, Military Order of the Purple Heart (LAMOPH) as well as LAMOPH National Community Service Chairman. In addition to LAMOPH, Mamie has served on the boards of the San Antonio Council for International Visitors and Network Power Texas. She has been a SACIV member since 2001.

Terry Camacho
Terry Camacho is a former foreign service national, who worked for many years at the U.S.Embassy in Mexico City. She has recently become a U.S. citizen and currently works at the Mexican Consulate in San Antonio in the legal department. She specializes in immigration issues. Terry has been a member of SACIV since 2003 and has been a board member since 2007.

 

 

Diana Carroll-Wirth
Born in Chicago and raised in Michigan and Indiana, Diana holds a B.S. degree in Librarianship from Western Michigan University and an M.I.S. degree from the University of California – Berkeley. As a librarian for the Department of the U.S. Army, she traveled and served in France, Italy, Germany, Japan and Thailand.  Diana’s diplomatic career began in 1980 when she joined the United States Information Agency (USIA) as a Foreign Service Officer.  During her tenure with USIA, she was involved in press relations, the selection of Fulbright scholars, and the facilitation of exchanges involving American scholars, artists and civic leaders with their host country peers. After serving as a Cultural Affairs Officer in Germany, India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, Diana retired in 1994 and moved to San Antonio. She has served on the boards of City Dance/Danza Hispana, the National Society of Arts and Letters, the Cultural Affairs Board of the City of San Antonio, the King William Art League Museum and the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center. 

 

Marcos Fragoso
Marcos Fragoso has served as the Vice President for International Affairs at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) since 2004. He has a Master of Business Administration in International Business and a Bachelor of Business Administration from UIW. Marcos is responsible for international initiatives including reciprocal agreements for education, study abroad programs, the management of UIW campuses in China, Mexico, and soon Heidelberg, Germany as well as the management of the Rosenberg Sky Room, and the International Conference Center.

 

 

Janie Groves
Janie Groves is active leader in a number of community organizations. Professionally, she designed and ran the first home network shopping program on television. Janie also was president of a multimillion dollar advertising firm, Cheney & Groves. She is an active member of the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and International Women’s Forum. Janie and her husband Alvin (an international and highly respected architect, who designed part of the San Antonio River Walk), travel extensively both domestically and internationally. Janie has been a SACIV member since 1992.

Dr. Angelika Jansen-Brown
Dr. Angelika Jansen-Brown has worn many hats in her professional life – but always in relation to citizen diplomacy. Her work started 30 years ago in New York City when she helped build an institute at the German Department of New York University that had a sole purpose – bringing Americans and Germans together through learning the German language and exchanging cultural programs. When she came to San Antonio, Angelika continued this path when she opened the Jansen-Perez Galleries, this time opening communication channels via visual art with Mexico and San Antonio. This work triggered cooperation with Monterrey and The Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. Angelika is on several cultural and educational boards and has coordinated numerous artist exchange programs for the City of San Antonio. Her most recent endeavor is serving as the San Antonio-Dresden Alliance Coordinator, a partnership inaugurated in February 2009. In 2010 she also helped create an Alliance with UTSA and the Technical University in Berlin, Germany. Angelika has been a member of SACIV since 1991 and has hosted many international visitors.

 

Irma Reyes - Chair Emeritus
Irma Reyes' contribution to citizen diplomacy began in 1971 when as a Scouting leader she coordinated Scouting exchanges between Mexico and San Antonio. Her formal citizen diplomacy work began in 1977 as a volunteer for the Visitor's program. Irma's dedication to international visitors continued into the 1980's and in 1989 she was one of the founders of the San Antonio Council for International Visitors. Since its inception, Irma's tireless efforts and contagious smile have welcomed thousands of U.S. Department of State's international visitors here in the San Antonio area. In addition to providing many opportunities for cultural and business exchanges, Irma's efforts are an example of excellence in citizen diplomacy. Many of the visitors still remain in contact with Irma today. She has been active with many community organizations to include Catholic Charities, Refuge Resettlement, and the Woman’s and Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, Free Trade Alliance, the City of San Antonio Zoning Commission, and the City of San Antonio Cable Advisory Board. Irma is one of the three founders of SACIV.

Mary Stanton Walsh
Mary Stanton Walsh is a retired professional and currently serves on several community boards. Originally from Laredo, she managed several international travel agencies there. With a B.A. degree in design, Mary created and successfully marketed clothing designs in the 1960s. She and her husband Michael Walsh (former air attaché to Rangoon, Burma), have traveled extensively both domestically and internationally. Mary is very active in the community and is one of the founding members of both SACIV and C-Fire, a non-profit organization that supports fire departments at the local and state levels.

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Mailing Address:
San Antonio Council for International Visitors
P.O. Box 6088, San Antonio, TX 78209

Physical Address:
Grossman International Center
University of the Incarnate Word
847 E. Hildebrand
San Antonio, Texas 78209