EnglishSpanish
Image of Matt Brown and his successor Trish DeBerry side by side.

Centro CEO Matt Brown to Step Down in July

May 31, 2023

The Board of Centro San Antonio announced today that they have accepted the resignation of Centro CEO Matt Brown. Brown was hired for the position in June 2019.  

“Matt has been a tremendous leader for the organization,” said longtime Centro board member David Adelman. “He embraced downtown and understood the critical role it played for all of San Antonio. One of Matt’s greatest accomplishments was leading Centro through COVID. While the center city still feels its effects, Matt and the team worked mightily to lessen the impact, consequently, we are doing better than most downtowns across the country,” added Adelman.  

Brown, a recovering attorney, entrepreneur and corporate executive, came to San Antonio after serving as Director of Economic Development in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His desire to return to his home state of California and be closer to family was the main impetus for his difficult decision to leave Centro. He has also decided to return to the private sector for the next stage of his career.  

“It has been an incredible ride in San Antonio. I’m grateful for all the support and partnership we received as the Centro team worked passionately every day to make downtown more beautiful, playful, prosperous and welcoming for everyone,” said Brown. “I’m proud of all we have accomplished from the Art Everywhere program, assisting hundreds of small businesses and launching retail Pop-Up incubators to the all the hundreds of events in Peacock Alley, La Zona and Travis Park enjoyed by over 200,000 people and securing $83M in new bond and TIRZ projects to continue transforming downtown. 

Perhaps most importantly, I am excited for our Downtown Tomorrow Strategy that Mayor Nirenberg helped unveil recently. All of it has been an honor to be a part of…especially working with the amazing Ambassadors who are the best clean and safe team anywhere!” 

The Centro San Antonio Board voted unanimously to appoint Trish DeBerry to fill the role as the organization’s new CEO. She had been tapped to assume the position of board chairman in April when developer Rene Garcia tragically died of cancer.  

According to Centro Executive Board Member Ed Cross, Garcia’s passing coupled with Brown’s desire to transition out of Centro necessitated immediate action and a strong leader to take the helm of Centro.  

“Trish has the perfect mix of private and public sector experience. Not to mention, she chose to office downtown for the better part of 20 years and has played key roles within Centro during that time. And, as a lifelong San Antonian, she brings amazing energy, passion and ideas that, no doubt, will reinvigorate downtown,” said Cross.  

Before Brown departs in July, he will continue to oversee the reauthorization of the Public Improvement District (PID) which goes to City Council for a vote on June 22nd and assist with DeBerry’s transition into her new role.  

“I appreciate the overwhelming support and vote of confidence by the Centro San Antonio Board of Directors,” said DeBerry. “Under Matt’s leadership, the Centro team has laid a great foundation that will enable downtown to build incredible momentum. There is a lot of work ahead as we engage with partners to execute the Downtown Tomorrow Strategy, while addressing pressing issues today like office vacancy and continuing to improve our core business of making downtown clean and safe. I look forward to leading Centro to the next level as we make downtown even more beautiful and welcoming for locals and visitors alike.” 

Be in the know

No event found!
Load More

GOT A QUESTION OR EVENT TO SUBMIT?

GET IN TOUCH!

Got A Question Or Event To Submit?

GOT A QUESTION ABOUT MEMBERSHIP?

Contact Us

membership form

BECOME A SPONSOR

sponsorship form

BECOME A MEMBER

Membership Level
E-mail Address
Organization Name

Connie Garza

TACTICAL PLANNING COORDINATOR

Connie is a native San Antonian with roots planted deeply on San Antonio’s Southside. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Global Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. Passionate about building strong communities, Connie loves acting as a connector to small businesses, entrepreneurs, and people to help each other reach their goals and work together. She works inbetween the Cultural Placemaking team and the Mainstreet Economic Development team, bringing vibrancy and support to urban core businesses to make downtown the place to be. When not at work, you can usually find her at the local plant nursery buying another plant, exploring new cafes/breweries, and spending time with family.

Priscilla Lopez

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT

Priscilla or “P.Lo” as her teammates affectionately call her, has 20 years of corporate administrative experience. Priscilla attended The University of San Antonio with a focus on Business Administration. In her role as office “fixer,” she handles everything from communications and relationship management to IT sleuthing. On weekends you can find her enjoying a Truly poolside. She lives the vegan lifestyle and is  a proud member of the Peleton community.

Michael Cirlos

JEDI CAMERAMAN

Michael began his studies and volunteer work at Webster University Thailand with a focus on international relations and Buddhism. After returning to San Antonio and graduating from UTSA, Michael began photographing and telling the stories of people in Downtown San Antonio to help connect and increase awareness of our vibrant urban culture. Michael’s work has appeared in several news media organizations, and has produced digital content for small- and large-scale marketing campaigns for Red Bull, COSA Department of Arts and Culture, World Heritage Office, National Park Service, and others. Michael is a former Pecha Kucha San Antonio Speaker, best-selling author at Trinity University Press, entrepreneur, and adventurer.

JanIe Garza

OFFICE MANAGER

Janie is a native of Corpus Christi, TX and has made San Antonio her home since 2012. Her 15+ years’ experience allows her to serve a broad range of functions that allow the organization to operate efficiently, including, accounts receivable/payable, record management, information technology, office management, and assisting with human resources. Outside of the office she enjoys spending time with her family, visiting local art museums, and enjoying a German beer in Southtown.

Matt Sirgo

DIRECTOR OF STORYTELLING

Matt graduated from Texas Tech University in 2016 with a Dual Major in Media Strategies and Honors Arts & Letters with a minor in Italian (Benvenuto a tutti!). Matt oversees the marketing, public relations, and digital content for Centro. After sharing the story of Downtown San Antonio on digital channels, he enjoys creating TikToks about LGBTQ+ media. His mug graces a Fiesta Mural on the St. Mary’s Strip just north of Downtown. You can’t miss it. 

Elizabeth Burt

DIRECTOR OF URBAN ACTIVATION + PLAY

Liz is a passionate underutilized space evangelist known for collaboration matchmaking + play based troublemaking (snow, pumpkins, and Parisian mimes included). She graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio College of Public Policy studying Public Administration (#BirdsUp)! More recently, she oversaw the award winning Activate Houston Street Initiative, a placemaking action plan to reinvigorate the historic pedestrian corridor in the heart of Downtown, which is recognized as a Best Practice in Public Space Management by the International Downtown Association, for which she is also a proud Emerging Leader Fellow.

Jacqueline Lucio

DIRECTOR OF PID OPERATIONS

Jacque is a longtime downtowner with a deep passion for community service. She oversees Centro’s Clean & Safe and Homeless Outreach services, which aim to create a more beautiful, welcoming, inclusive, and hospitable downtown. For nearly two decades, Jacque has lived in downtown San Antonio and has been actively involved in the transformation of the urban core. Through her work with nonprofits, local government, and news media, she’s continually focused on championing more sustainable, diverse, and equitable communities. Jacque has led efforts to support asylum seekers, served as communications director for City Council District 5, and served in public affairs role for Clear Channel Outdoor San Antonio. Jacque studied Mass Communications and Mexican-American Studies at UTSA.

Sarah Esserlieu Khalil

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

Sarah is a passionate urbanist who has spent the majority of her career on downtown revitalization efforts. Downtown is the best part of any city where you can find the finest history, culture, life, and beauty. Sarah has a Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies from the University of California, San DiegoSarah enjoys visiting small local businesses, enjoying foodie culture, cooking, hiking, and visiting the cities of the world. 

Andi Rodriguez

VICE PRESIDENT OF CULTURAL PLACEMAKING

Andi is a long-time urban champion and leads Centro ‘people projects which tell our stories and bring us joy, such as Centro’s Art Everywhere and Zona Cultural. Serving on the Leadership Council of Urban Land Institute, she is a former city Planning Commissioner, Founding Chair of the Hemisfair Conservancy, Co-founder of Power of Preservation/PROM, former Chair of the Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women and immediate past Chair of Leadership San Antonio. Andi considers herself a servant leader; she has an MS in Architecture/Urban Planning, and enjoys advocating for the unifying power of art, history, and public space.

KANDICE PERKINS

FINANCIAL DIRECTOR

Kandice is a Sunnyvale, CA native and has made San Antonio her home since 2014She graduated from University of Argosy in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and continued to complete her Master’s in Business Administration from University of Phoenix 2020. She has worked in downtown San Antonio for years, bringing 15+ years of accounting experience to the organization and has been tasked with promoting and developing the city’s urban core. When not at the office, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, managing her family’s businesses, and enjoys cooking and baking.  

The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs 

TRISH DEBERRY

PRESIDENT AND CEO

Trish– aka Captain Marvel – believes that superheroes come in all shapes and sizes. With her intellect and a passion for making a difference, there is no doubt that Trish is built for speed and performance to find solutions to problems most find too vexing to conquer.  In fact, a Lamborghini has nothing on this force of nature.

A native San Antonian with a degree from Trinity University, Trish has a deep and abiding love for the Alamo City. She has led successful campaign initiatives for 25 years that have literally changed the landscape and face of the community.

Though Trish doesn’t have the ability to see the future like Captain Marvel, she has been called a visionary and wants to bring big ideas to bear regarding the future of downtown.

Before Trish became President/CEO of Centro San Antonio, she founded two full-service marketing and communications firms that she led for 20 years – both of which were headquartered in downtown.  She was also an active member of Centro during that time serving as board chair twice and providing leadership as the entity transformed from The Downtown Alliance to Centro San Antonio. 

When Trish isn’t blazing trails throughout the urban core, she is honing her superpowers of strength and agility on a bike at a spin studio – on pace for a remarkable 1,200 rides. We told you she was built for record-setting speed!  She’s also a supermom to her two kids Scott and Maddie who provide the fuel to her sparkle and non-stop energy.