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outreach COMMITTEE
AMBASSADORS
Aparna Vohra
Chair
Aparna Vohra is the immediate past president of the Asian American Alliance of San Antonio. She works as a program manager in financial sector and plans, directs and coordinates implementation of multiple, complex program initiative and projects, working closely with cross-functional teams and resources. Aparna assists executive leadership in effective transformation of strategic changes to drive adoption. Aparna also supports the non profit 501(c) 3, Alamo Asian Chamber of Commerce Educational Foundation and has been involved with standing it up from its inception.
Aparna is an all-rounded presenter, Anchor and is always honing her skill to be a Public Speaker. She has successfully managed the signature youth leadership program (YLSA) that is aligned to STEAM and works with K-12 and beyond to help students with leadership development and volunteering opportunities.
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Sherry Dowlatshahi
Ambassador
Sherry Dowlatshahi is Chief Diplomacy & Protocol Officer heading the City of San Antonio’s Global Engagement Office within the Economic Development Department. She oversees international business, protocol, and official global relationships and the Casa San Antonio, San Antonio’s Trade and Foreign Office in Mexico. More specifically, she advises, assists and supports San Antonio elected officials and executives on matters of international affairs, public diplomacy and diplomatic procedure and protocol; is responsible for coordinating official foreign travel of Mayor and Council as well as planning the program of visits for high-level foreign dignitaries, consular & diplomatic corps members working closely with Mayor and City Council. Another important part of her work is public engagement with local community business, cultural, civic and higher education, diaspora and ethnic groups. She works closely with other City of San Antonio departments to provide support on relevant international initiatives or projects. She manages the award-winning San Antonio Sister Cities Program and works closely with Sister Cities International as well as community stakeholders on fostering and maintaining San Antonio’s official relationships.
Ms. Dowlatshahi currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the World Affairs Council of San Antonio; is Vice President of the San Antonio Mexico Friendship Council; board member of the San Antonio Council for International Visitors. Additionally, she serves on the Global Advisory board of Musical Bridges Around the World; is an Advisory member of the US Mexico Business Association (AEM) San Antonio Chapter, Anuja SA-San Antonio Chennai Sister City Alliance; Japan American Society of San Antonio; and the San Antonio Creative City of Gastronomy Advisory Council. She is a member of the San Antonio Rotary Club serving on its International Service as well as the Program Committees. She currently serves on the Honorary Board of Sister Cities International and represents the City of San Antonio in the German Marshall Fund’s City Directors of International Affairs Tran-Atlantic Network.
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Kin Hui
Ambassador
Kin Hui is the Zoning Commissioner representing the City of San Antonio’s District 6. Mr. Hui is a retired Civil Servant engineer who served 35 years with the United States Department of the Air Force. Prior to his retirement in 2017, Mr. Hui was the Chief Engineer for four Air Force Cyber Warfare Systems. Kin provided technical direction to over 75 engineering and technical staff.
Mr. Hui is the National Executive Vice President for the Chinese American Citizens Alliance. With 20 chapters nationwide, the C.A.C.A. was established in 1895 making it the longest serving Asian American civil rights advocate.
Mr. Hui Community involvement also includes:- National Executive Vice President, Chinese American Citizens Alliance- Founding member, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office V-CORPS Search Team- Graduate, 2021 FBI San Antonio Citizens Academy- Graduate, 2021 Bexar County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Academy- Chief Information Officer, Chinese American Heritage Foundation- Treasurer, San Antonio Chinese Community Council- Member, Metro Health COVID-19 Vaccine Implementation Advisory Committee- Member, SAPD Chief McManus’ Advisory Group- Past President, Asian American Alliance of San Antonio- Past President, San Antonio Lodge Chinese American Citizens Alliance- Member, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office V-CORPS- Co-Chaired Business and Labor Sub-Committee, Bexar County / San Antonio Census 2020 Census Committee- Member, Bexar County Medical Reserve Corps- Volunteer, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
Education:- BS Electrical Engineering - the University of Houston- Executive Fellow - School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University- MA Management - Webster University
Mr. Hui is the National Executive Vice President for the Chinese American Citizens Alliance. With 20 chapters nationwide, the C.A.C.A. was established in 1895 making it the longest serving Asian American civil rights advocate.
Mr. Hui Community involvement also includes:- National Executive Vice President, Chinese American Citizens Alliance- Founding member, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office V-CORPS Search Team- Graduate, 2021 FBI San Antonio Citizens Academy- Graduate, 2021 Bexar County Sheriff’s Office Citizens Academy- Chief Information Officer, Chinese American Heritage Foundation- Treasurer, San Antonio Chinese Community Council- Member, Metro Health COVID-19 Vaccine Implementation Advisory Committee- Member, SAPD Chief McManus’ Advisory Group- Past President, Asian American Alliance of San Antonio- Past President, San Antonio Lodge Chinese American Citizens Alliance- Member, Bexar County Sheriff’s Office V-CORPS- Co-Chaired Business and Labor Sub-Committee, Bexar County / San Antonio Census 2020 Census Committee- Member, Bexar County Medical Reserve Corps- Volunteer, Tobin Center for the Performing Arts
Education:- BS Electrical Engineering - the University of Houston- Executive Fellow - School of Public and International Affairs, Princeton University- MA Management - Webster University
David Marquez
Ambassador
David Marquez directs the County’s efforts to develop and improve the local economy, and to improve the life circumstances for Bexar County residents.
This is primarily achieved through business attraction and retention programs, tax incentive programs, and other economic development initiatives. In this role, his areas of responsibility also include the Utility Assistance program, Pauper Burial program, Guardianship Program, and other initiatives providing services to the County’s constituents.
This year Mr. Marquez was also tasked with administering the County’s $79.6 million dollar Coronavirus Relief Fund provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. When combined with additional Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Community Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) funds, more than $60 million dollars flowed directly through the Economic and Community Department to help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the residents and businesses of Bexar County.
Since 2000, Mr. Marquez has concurrently been the County’s manager for the negotiation, construction, and on-going operations of the AT&T Center, home to the NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs, and to the annual San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo. The project includes several other planning and development components for the area in and immediately surrounding the Arena site. Mr. Marquez also managed the county’s preparations for the year 2000.
He began his career with the County as a Lead Budget and Management Analyst, where he led several performance review projects designed for quality and productivity improvement. Since 1999, Mr. Marquez has served as an adjunct business professor for the University of the Incarnate Word teaching courses in management, strategic planning, and analysis.
Prior to his County employment, Mr. Marquez worked at the San Antonio Air Logistics Center, beginning in 1986 as a machine tool operator apprentice. Moving from the blue-collar shops into project duties, he served as a project leader for several total quality improvement and strategic planning efforts. Concurrently, he served as local area network manager.
He holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree from Southwest Texas State University (1996), and a Master of Urban Administration degree from Trinity University (1998). David resides in his native San Antonio with his wife Patricia and their two grown children. David plays the guitar and is a vocalist in the praise and worship team for Calvary Chapel of San Antonio.
This is primarily achieved through business attraction and retention programs, tax incentive programs, and other economic development initiatives. In this role, his areas of responsibility also include the Utility Assistance program, Pauper Burial program, Guardianship Program, and other initiatives providing services to the County’s constituents.
This year Mr. Marquez was also tasked with administering the County’s $79.6 million dollar Coronavirus Relief Fund provided through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. When combined with additional Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Community Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) funds, more than $60 million dollars flowed directly through the Economic and Community Department to help mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the residents and businesses of Bexar County.
Since 2000, Mr. Marquez has concurrently been the County’s manager for the negotiation, construction, and on-going operations of the AT&T Center, home to the NBA Champion San Antonio Spurs, and to the annual San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo. The project includes several other planning and development components for the area in and immediately surrounding the Arena site. Mr. Marquez also managed the county’s preparations for the year 2000.
He began his career with the County as a Lead Budget and Management Analyst, where he led several performance review projects designed for quality and productivity improvement. Since 1999, Mr. Marquez has served as an adjunct business professor for the University of the Incarnate Word teaching courses in management, strategic planning, and analysis.
Prior to his County employment, Mr. Marquez worked at the San Antonio Air Logistics Center, beginning in 1986 as a machine tool operator apprentice. Moving from the blue-collar shops into project duties, he served as a project leader for several total quality improvement and strategic planning efforts. Concurrently, he served as local area network manager.
He holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences degree from Southwest Texas State University (1996), and a Master of Urban Administration degree from Trinity University (1998). David resides in his native San Antonio with his wife Patricia and their two grown children. David plays the guitar and is a vocalist in the praise and worship team for Calvary Chapel of San Antonio.
Anwar Tahir
Ambassador
Anwar Tahir is a successful small business owener and has been very involved in the community. He currently serves as the President for Association of Covenient Store Retailers, an organization with over 300 store members. Anwar is also the past president of the Asian American Alliance of San Antonio, which was founded in 2015 with 28 Asian organizations as its members.
Mr. Tahir also serves on the following organizations:
- President, Pakistan Association
- President, Alflah Muslim Society
- President, TX Muslim Democrats San Antonio Chapter
- President, Cricket Premier League
- Member, Small Business Economic Development Advocacy
- Member, DA's Advisory Committee
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Nelson Tuazon
Ambassador
Nelson Tuazon is currently the Vice President and Associate Chief Nursing Officer at University Health in San Antonio, Texas. Dr. Tuazon served as Editor of the Philippine Nurses Association of America: A Tapestry. He analyzed and synthesized evidence on acculturation, legislation and regulations affecting immigrants, and the integration of foreign-educated nurses into the US workforce. He collaborated with over 40 contributors over two years in writing and memorializing PNAA's 40-year history. He also pioneered PNAA's efforts in developing its official international publication and subsequently served as the inaugural Editor of the Journal of the PNAA in 2009. JPNAA evolved into the Journal of Nursing Practice Applications and Reviews of Research (JNPARR) in 2013. He has served as JNPARR’s Managing Editor and currently serves on its Editorial Board.
As Founding Chair of the San Antonio Nursing Consortium, he has collaborated with University Health System (UHS) to organize a joint effort with the Sheriff's Office to educate the public on Stop-the-Bleed and Active Shooter.Dr. Tuazon is a member of civic and professional organizations. He is a board member of the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce, the Alamo Asian American Chamber of Commerce, and the Asian American Alliance of San Antonio. Most recently, he was the past-president of the South Central Texas Organization for Nursing Leadership (SCTONL) and the Parliamentarian of the Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA). He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the Texas Organization for Nursing Leadership (TONL), a member of the Nominating Committee of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL), and a member of the Scholarship and Awards Committee of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (AMSN).
Dr. Tuazon holds national fellowships and certifications. He is a Fellow of the National Academies of Practice (FNAP), the American College of Nurse Executives (FACHE), and the American Academy of Nursing. He holds board certifications as a nurse executive (Nursing Executive, Advanced and Certified Executive in Nursing Practice), as a quality professional (Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality), as a patient safety professional (Certified Professional in Patient Safety), and patient experience profession.Dr. Tuazon completed his BSN and Master of Arts in Education from Angeles University Philippines, Master of Science in Nursing from Seton Hall University, Master of Business Administration from Monmouth University, Doctor of Business Administration from Northcentral University, and Doctor of Nursing Practice from Grand Canyon University.