(SAN ANTONIO) –The San Antonio River Authority (River Authority) announced today that General Manager Suzanne Scott will soon retire from the River Authority. After a rewarding career of more than 20 years with the River Authority, including 13 years as General Manager, Scott will retire from the agency on October 30, 2020.
“I am immensely proud of the projects and programs I have accomplished throughout my tenure with the River Authority,” said Suzanne Scott. “I am equally gratified to have worked with a team of public servants who are selfless stewards of the San Antonio River and its ecosystem, and I’m greatly appreciative for the supportive and collaborative relationship I’ve had with the Board of Directors while leading this incredible organization. Together, we have enhanced professionalism of staff and operations, unified around a strategic vision and organizational culture, developed strong partnerships, and established a reputation for quality service and dedication to mission.”
Scott began her career with the River Authority in May 2000 and was appointed General Manager in September 2007. Given that many of the River Authority’s projects involve collaboration with other governments and various stakeholders, Scott deftly navigated and built strong relationships with community leaders and governmental partners at the local and county level as well as throughout the state and nation. This was exemplified as she led the agency’s efforts to plan, develop, and secure funding for the $384 million San Antonio River Improvements Project; a collaborative project with Bexar County, City of San Antonio, San Antonio River Authority, San Antonio River Foundation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and citizen stakeholders that included the Museum Reach and Mission Reach additions to the San Antonio River Walk.
The completion of the San Antonio River Improvements Project served as a key factor for the nomination and inscription of the San Antonio Missions as an UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2015 as well as for the 2017 International Riverprize recognition, which is world’s foremost award in river basin management.
Scott is equally proud of the lasting improvements the River Authority has made throughout the San Antonio River Basin in flood planning and mitigation projects as well as water quality projects through the agency’s scientific and technical expertise. Under her tenure, the agency has also expanded nature-based parks and other outreach initiatives to increase citizen access to and enjoyment and appreciation of the river and its tributaries. Scott has also led the agency’s efforts to promote sustainability by advocating for and funding projects to increase the use of green stormwater infrastructure.
“The River Authority and so many of its project partners are indebted to Suzanne for her past two decades of work making the San Antonio River and the creeks of this region both cleaner and more enjoyable for millions of people,” said Darrell T. Brownlow, Ph.D., Chair of the River Authority’s Board of Directors. “Suzanne has been a great leader who has the respect of the staff and all the Board members as well as countless community partners. I have sincere appreciation for what she has given to the River Authority and this region. We are sad to see her leave, but excited for the opportunities that lay before her.”
Recognizing that Scott is leaving the River Authority in outstanding condition, the Board of Directors will not rush to find a replacement, but rather take a deliberate approach to identifying and interviewing candidates. Assistant General Manager Steve Graham, who has been with the River Authority since 1991, will become Interim General Manager upon Scott’s departure in October.
Scott will continue her passion for advancing important environmental conservation work when she assumes the position of Texas State Director for The Nature Conservancy in November 2020.
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The San Antonio River Authority (River Authority) was created by the 45th Texas Legislature on May 5, 1937 and reorganized in 1961 to plan, manage, and implement water-related programs and projects within the San Antonio River Basin. The State of Texas empowered River Authority to preserve, protect, and manage the resources and the ecology of the San Antonio River and its tributaries. To learn more about the River Authority, visit our website at www.sariverauthority.org.
