Jim Perschbach is Port San Antonio’s new Executive Vice President of Business Development. In this role, he will apply his longstanding experience advocating on behalf of key regional industries and provide strategic support to grow aerospace and other advanced technology businesses at the Port. He joins the organization at an important time in its evolution. The Port is among the largest industrial complexes in South Texas. Its 1,900-acre air- road- and rail-served platform is home to over 80 entities centered in the aerospace, manufacturing, logistics and military/defense sectors. They employ over 12,000 workers and generate more than $4.4 billion in regional economic activity each year. Perschbach’s arrival coincides with new opportunities for significant growth at the Port in the years ahead. In particular, road infrastructure completed by the City of San Antonio and other partners in 2013 has opened an additional 400 acres at the Port’s industrial airport, Kelly Field (SKF). This land is essential for aerospace expansion. The Port already hosts large operations by Boeing, Lockheed Martin, GDC Technics, Chromalloy and StandardAero. These firms specialize in maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of military and, increasingly, commercial aircraft. Upon full development, the newly-opened acreage at Kelly Field could help add an additional 8,000 aerospace-sector jobs. “With the right strategic partnerships and support from our customers, Port San Antonio has a strong future ahead. Jim has a deep understanding of our customers--their changing business environment and big ambitions for the future.” said Alex Nava, Chairman of the Port’s Board of Directors. “He, along with new Port President and CEO Roland Mower, will work closely with our customers and stakeholders to align customers’ expansion needs with the new capacity that exists on our property.” Nava further noted that, including the newly-opened acreage at Kelly Field, about 60 percent of Port land remains to be developed. “Jim’s expertise is of tremendous value as we continue creating a competitive environment for our customers and build facilities for those businesses to thrive and create jobs for our community.” “I have long admired the Port’s efforts in recent years and the tremendous potential it holds to attract and grow some of our nation’s leading industries,” said Perschbach. “I’m excited about working alongside the Port’s team to engage our customers and help meet their near- and long-term goals.” A blueprint for advancing aerospace growth at the Port is contained in an implementation plan the organization recently issued to the San Antonio Mayor’s Port San Antonio Aerospace Strategy Working Group, formed by then-Mayor Julián Castro in 2013. Over the course of several months, the Port engaged community stakeholders, including public officials, the business community and educators, to develop a strategic vision that supports the long-term growth of the aerospace industry in the region.  Perschbach, an attorney with over 18 years of legal experience, comes to the Port following a 12-year career with Bracewell & Giuliani LLP, where he most recently served as senior counsel. During his time at the firm, his work entailed extensive support for aerospace and other manufacturing clients, including successfully working with numerous parties to negotiate and implement lease, economic development and workforce development strategies. He is also deeply involved in volunteer civic activities that are creating a competitive environment to spur further growth in key regional industries. Perschbach is the chairman of Alamo Academies, Inc.--a nationally-recognized dual credit program within Alamo Colleges that provides college-level training to area high schools students. An overwhelming majority of graduates pursue careers in aerospace, advanced manufacturing, information technology and healthcare. For over a decade, the Aerospace Academy has provided an important platform for aerospace companies at the Port to identify and recruit talented new workers.  He has also been a member of the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce’s Aerospace Committee since 2008, serving as its chairman in 2010 and 2011. Former Mayor Julián Castro appointed Perschbach to the Port San Antonio Aerospace Strategy Working Group and to the SA2020 Talent Task Force, which was charged with identifying and recommending best practices for regional educational attainment and workforce development. In addition, Perschbach chairs the advisory committee for San Antonio College’s Challenger Learning Center, which has led efforts to build a space mission simulator and outreach center alongside the school’s new Scobee Planetarium. The simulator serves to educate young visitors and inspire them to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM)-based fields. He has authored numerous articles on issues impacting the aerospace, aviation and manufacturing industries. He is also a regular speaker and panelist at related conferences and forums, both locally and nationally. His professional affiliations include the Litigation Counsel of America, the National Association of Corporate Directors, the San Antonio Bar Association, the State Bar of Texas and the Texas Bar Foundation. Perschbach earned a BBA degree in economics and public policy from The George Washington University and holds a law degree from the University of Houston Law Center.