Greater:SATX, the organization tasked with steering the San Antonio region’s economic growth and development, has appointed Sarah Carabias Rush as its new president and CEO, effective immediately. The move comes as the region continues to position itself as a hub for advanced industries, workforce development, and global business attraction.
Carabias Rush brings nearly two decades of experience to the helm, including a long tenure at the Dallas Regional Chamber where she served in multiple leadership roles, and more recently as Greater:SATX’s chief economic development officer. During her time in San Antonio, she played a key role in attracting high-profile investments and helping to secure strategic business expansions, setting the groundwork for a seamless leadership transition.
Her appointment arrives at a time of economic uncertainty fueled by volatile international trade policies, ongoing debates over tariffs, and the potential ripple effects of shifting global supply chains. Nevertheless, Carabias Rush steps into her role with a clear agenda and optimism. Under her leadership as chief economic development officer, Greater:SATX has helped secure 85 projects since 2022, bringing in $5.9 billion in capital investment and creating approximately 14,000 new jobs. These efforts included strategic partnerships with major employers such as JCB, a UK-based construction equipment firm, and Guidehouse, a global consulting services provider.
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In remarks shared during her appointment announcement, Carabias Rush emphasized her commitment to expanding San Antonio’s economic footprint through targeted industry growth. Her vision includes aggressive pursuit of high-impact sectors such as advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, national defense, and life sciences—industries where San Antonio has a competitive edge due to its workforce capacity and proximity to military and research institutions.
She also identified the attraction of corporate headquarters as a high priority, noting the importance of positioning San Antonio as a destination not just for satellite offices, but for leadership teams and decision-making hubs. Carabias Rush plans to strengthen existing partnerships between public institutions, educational providers, and the private sector to ensure that the local workforce is ready to meet the needs of incoming industries. She also highlighted the need for improved international air service as a key infrastructure goal that would support both economic growth and global competitiveness.
Her predecessor, Jenna Saucedo-Herrera, led Greater:SATX for more than seven years and left in May 2025 to join USAA in a senior executive role. Saucedo-Herrera was widely credited with revitalizing the region’s economic development strategy and played a pivotal role in shaping San Antonio’s post-pandemic recovery. Board members have described the transition to Carabias Rush as well-timed and forward-thinking, citing her proven results and strong relationships with industry stakeholders as assets that will support a new era of strategic planning.
Under Carabias Rush’s leadership, Greater:SATX is expected to finalize several projects already in advanced stages, while also crafting a refreshed long-term plan for regional development. That plan will likely include updated goals for job creation, wage growth, and infrastructure investments, alongside stronger commitments to equity and community engagement.
The announcement also signals a broader commitment to continuity and evolution. As the organization pushes for a more global economic role for San Antonio, Carabias Rush is expected to bring a mix of institutional knowledge and new strategic thinking to the table. Her emphasis on regional cooperation, data-driven planning, and long-term workforce alignment aligns with current best practices in economic development across the U.S.
San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg and other civic leaders have expressed support for the appointment, noting the city’s need for strong and consistent leadership amid competitive national and international economic landscapes. As Carabias Rush steps into her new role, expectations are high for continued momentum in business attraction, job growth, and capital investment.
With more than a dozen major prospects currently in the pipeline, Greater:SATX is looking to capitalize on the groundwork laid in recent years. If successful, Carabias Rush’s tenure could mark a defining chapter in San Antonio’s rise as one of the most dynamic mid-sized metropolitan economies in the country.
