SAN ANTONIO, TX, March 11, 2026 – Larry Schlesinger, MD, President and CEO of Texas Biomedical Research Institute, has been appointed to join a distinguished group that will provide strategic guidance to San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones to help “unleash” the city’s innovation ecosystem.
The newly commissioned Economic Security Advisory Group (ESAG) will advise the mayor on opportunities for strengthening San Antonio’s competitiveness in four critical sectors, including artificial intelligence, quantum technology, biotechnology and space manufacturing.
“San Antonio has such a unique combination of strengths with scientific research, industry and military all here,” Dr. Schlesinger said. “I look forward to working with my fellow ESAG members to grow the sectors that will absolutely shape the future of our city, our nation and the global economy.”
The 11-member Advisory Group is comprised of professionals with deep experience in national security, research and technology.
The Economic Security Advisory Group includes:
- Eric Adolphe, CEO, Forward Edge-AI
- Raquel Cruz Bono, Vice Admiral, United States Navy (Retired) | Former CEO & Director, Defense Health Agency
- Rene Dominguez, CEO, VelocityTX
- David Goldfein, General, United States Air Force (Retired) | 21st Chief of Staff, U.S. Air Force
- John Goodson, CEO, Darkhive
- Adam Hamilton, President and CEO, Southwest Research Institute
- Amanda Lee Keammerer, CEO, Javilud LLC
- Jim Perschbach, President & CEO, Port San Antonio (Chair)
- Bianca Rhodes, President and CEO, Knight Aerospace
- Roman Sandoval, CEO and Founder, Allosense, Inc.
- Larry Schlesinger, President & CEO, Texas Biomed
Dr. Schlesinger will bring his expertise as a physician-scientist in biomedical research and seek ways to help strengthen the city’s position at the forefront of next-generation medicine, biodefense and national security.
“San Antonio has many assets that make it well-positioned to lead in this space, including Texas Biomed, which specializes in the science needed to protect the public from disease threats,” Dr. Schlesinger said.
He is also excited at the potential for the group’s efforts to inspire young people to pursue careers in science and technology.
“There will be more and more opportunities for high-paying jobs right here in their own backyards,” he said. “I would love to see how we can do more to support our students as we attract more partnerships and investments in these advanced industries.”
About Texas Biomedical Research Institute
Texas Biomed is a nonprofit research institute dedicated to protecting the global community from infectious diseases. Through basic research, preclinical testing and innovative partnerships, we accelerate diagnostics, therapies and vaccines for the world’s deadliest pathogens. Our San Antonio campus hosts high containment laboratories and the Southwest National Primate Research Center. Our scientists collaborate with industry and researchers globally and have helped deliver the first COVID-19 vaccine, the first Ebola treatment and first Hepatitis C therapy. For more information, please visit https://txbiomed.org.