ABOUT ME
There will always be challenges and obstacles, but its a matter of understanding what makes us strong. Let us seek the right answer.
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I am a dedicated Wife and Mother
I am a dedicated wife and mom. My family and I moved to Converse in 2011, when I began working as the Executive Director of the Converse EDC. My husband and I began building our family as foster-to-adopt parents in 2009. My first book, You Are Not Alone, was published in 2017. We spend our weekends rooting for my son’s soccer team and various professional “futbol” clubs.
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I am a hard worker
I am a hard worker. My work with the Converse EDC resulted in more than $32 M in private commercial investment in Converse; leveraged more than $100 million in public investment; and resulted in several Fortune 500 companies locating in Converse (Walmart Neighborhood Market, Circle K, and O’Reilly’s Auto Parts, among others).
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I have a vision
I have vision. I led the creation of the Converse Master Plan; facilitated the funding of a Parks Master Plan; launched and hosted seven Converse Goes Green Day events; led the re-branding of Converse; built a program that recognizes Veteran-Owned Businesses; instituted a façade improvement program.
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I am capable
I am capable. In concert with other City leaders, I worked with the City of San Antonio and State legislators to triple the size of Converse over the next 15-20 years. As a result of these efforts, Converse’s population is projected to grow by 500% from 22,000 to over 80,000 people.
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I am Qualified
I am uniquely qualified to serve you. I earned my BA in Communications and my MS in Urban Administration from Trinity University. During my two decades of professional public service, I have also worked as a Budget Analyst for the City of San Antonio, built redevelopment plans for the Port Authority of San Antonio and attracted Caterpillar to Seguin, Texas.
Bio
Kate Silvas currently serves as Councilwoman, Place 4 on the Converse City Council. She ran last fall for the first time and was elected by more than 2600 voters in Converse. She is the first former City staff member to be elected to serve on City Council.
Before last fall, Kate served for eight years as the Executive Director of the Converse EDC. During that time, Kate brought about $32 M in new commercial investment, she recruited several Fortune 500 companies to Converse, include Walmart Neighborhood Market, O’Reilleys Auto Center, Circle K, among others. She participated in negotiations with the City of San Antonio and our State legislators to increase Converse’s boundaries from 7.2 SQ Miles to 22.6 SQ miles.
Prior to Converse, Kate was the Assistant Director of the Seguin EDC, and was on the team that recruited Caterpillar to Seguin, Texas in 2009. As a result of her efforts, 1,465 jobs were created – that was the largest job creation in the State of Texas that year.
Prior to Seguin, Kate was on the team that worked on the redevelopment of Kelly Air Force Base (now Port San Antonio) for ten years and she helped on the transition of the installation to the local community. Her efforts resulted in a cost savings to San Antonio taxpayers of $103 M.
Kate served as a Budget Analyst for the City of San Antonio for three years.
She has a Master’s in Urban Administration and a Bachelor’s in Communications from Trinity University.
Kate was recognized by the San Antonio Business Journal’s 40 Business Leaders under 40 and Leadership San Antonio. Kate is an accomplished writer and speaker. Her first book, You Are Not Alone, is available on Amazon. Kate has served as a Christian missionary to Russia and Belarus. Presently, she serves as the Chief Executive Officer for Crossways International.
Kate and her husband, Emilio, live in Converse, Texas with their son. They are avid soccer fans, and they enjoy hiking and traveling as a family.
