San Antonio Apartment Association History

The San Antonio Apartment Association (SAAA) has served the multifamily housing industry in San Antonio and surrounding South Texas communities for more than six decades. Founded in 1964, SAAA grew from a small group of local apartment owners into one of the region's most influential trade associations, representing owners, managers, and suppliers across a 21-county area.

From its earliest days, when a handful of members gathered for monthly dinners and a first employee was hired at $50 per month, SAAA has championed professional standards, legislative advocacy, and education for the multifamily industry. Today, SAAA is headquartered at 7525 Babcock Road in San Antonio and continues that mission with an expanded membership, robust programming, and deep community ties.

SAAA was founded in 1964, with Bob Ross elected as the Association's first president the following year. The first newsletter, Vol. 1 No. 1 of the Apartment News, was published in September 1965. Gordon Neilson, executive director of the Texas Apartment Association, was retained to publish it. The newsletter was made possible through advertising support and delivered monthly as part of annual dues. The Association's address at that time was 7135 Oaklawn, San Antonio.

Officers in 1965 were President Bob Ross; Vice Presidents Larry Van Horn and Roy Oberman; and Secretary-Treasurer Lola M. Sisley. Directors included Milton Goldstein, Jim Mitchell, Stanley Rosenberg, Earl Tinsman, and Virginia Colley.

From the outset, professional education was central to the Association's mission. In September 1965, SAAA sponsored two apartment training schools at the El Antonio Motel: an Advanced Apartment Seminar for experienced managers, owners, and investors, and a Basic Apartment Manager School for those new to the field. Both were produced in partnership with National Apartment Management Consultants, Inc. of Houston.

The Association was formally incorporated in 1967. That same year, Enid White was hired as the first staff employee, at a salary of $50 per month, and the Association conducted its first apartment management school, a forerunner of the Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) course. Monthly meetings drew 35 members to the San Antonio Inn, reflecting rapid early growth.

By August 1968, the Association's monthly Apartment News newsletter reported a 1.60% vacancy rate across sampled San Antonio properties. Monthly dinner meetings were held at the Villita Motor Mall, drawing near-capacity crowds. Officers at that time included President H.C. Kopplow, First Vice President Earl Tinsman, Second Vice President Jerry Kaplan, and Secretary-Treasurer Jimmie Harper.

The September 1968 newsletter announced Phil Benson's election as Second Vice President and welcomed new Executive Secretary Joanne Hoxie. It also reported 82 members in attendance at the August meeting and covered topics including anti-discrimination law, apartment remodeling, and manager training.

The Association established its first permanent office in 1969 at 10303 Sahara Drive, furnished through community generosity. Cliff Morton donated an adding machine and Allstate Furniture (now Cort) provided furnishings at no cost. That same year, SAAA launched its first occupancy survey and began publication of a formal magazine.

By 1973, SAAA had grown to 225 members representing more than 20,000 units across San Antonio. The Association's Apartment Managers School that year was recognized as one of the best in the country, with an enrollment of 70. Fifteen managers were accepted into the new CAM candidacy program, and SAAA helped place 70 managers and assistants in apartment jobs citywide. The Association mailed 600 magazines monthly and printed 500 directories.

The Association also demonstrated its civic reach in 1973. When a national energy crisis took hold, SAAA formed an Energy Crisis Committee co-chaired by Cliff Middleton and Marvin Kline. Working with Mayor Charles Becker and the City Council, SAAA distributed 25,000 letters to apartment residents with energy conservation guidelines under the signatures of all City Council members, a model of industry-government cooperation.

At the December 1973 Christmas Party and Installation, Bob Ross installed Barbara MacManus as SAAA's first woman president, a milestone for the Association and the industry. The January 1974 Apartment News newsletter noted that 1974 marked the 10th anniversary of SAAA, with incoming President MacManus calling on members to make it a record year for membership, attendance, and unit representation.  The period also saw two significant civic and organizational firsts. In January 1971, the Product Service Council (PSC) — now known as the San Antonio Supplier Council — was formally established, with Edith Purcell serving as its first Chairperson through approximately 1974. Roy Oberman succeeded her in 1975, becoming the first PSC Chair to also sit on the Association’s Executive Committee. SAAA had also hosted the TAA Annual Convention in San Antonio in April 1970, drawing record attendance and establishing San Antonio as a destination for the Texas apartment industry’s annual gathering.

The MAC-CAM Club, forerunner of the latter CAM Council and Professional Designates Committee, was founded in 1975. That same year, Roy Oberman became the second Chairperson of the Product Service Council (PSC), and the first to serve on SAAA’s Executive Committee. The Association continued its expansion through successive presidencies: Cliff Middleton (1975), Walter E. Rosson (1976), Frank Corte (1977-78), and Henry Holman (1979).

The Product Service Council grew during this period into what the January 1980 Apartment Magazine described as the most active and outstanding organization of its type in the state. By late 1979, SAAA's Owner's Luncheon on December 5 at Oak Hills Country Club drew more than 35 members and was described as the most successful in the Association's history to that point.

As SAAA entered its third decade, the January 1980 issue of the Apartment Magazine marked a significant evolution: the publication was rebranded from a newsletter to a full magazine, with Nancye Miller Mayer named as Executive Officer and Publisher and Judith Middleton named Director of Education and Resident Relations. The Association's new office address was Suite 508 in the Alamo Savings Tower at 901 N.E. Loop 410.

Membership had grown to over 750 by 1980. Peter Ross, son of founding President Bob Ross, was elected president. His father continued serving as an NAA Lifetime Board Member, while Barbara MacManus served as NAA National Secretary and as an NAA Lifetime Board Member, reflecting SAAA's standing at the national level.

San Antonio hosted the TAA 17th Annual Convention at the San Antonio Convention Center, May 4-6, 1980. On the education front, the CAM 1 course was offered twice yearly, and the CAMT program was offered monthly through St. Philip's College. That same year, Barbara MacManus and Bob Ross were formally recognized as SAAA lifetime Board members.

The 1980s brought a diverse and accomplished succession of leaders. Don Reneau (1981, 1986), Stanley Hammer, Jr. (1982), Jill Wilson (1983), Bill Melson (1984), Mack Langston (1985), David Humes (1987), and Linda Miller (1988-89) each served as president during this period. In 1983, Barbara MacManus and Bob Ross became the first recipients of the Stanley Hammer, Jr. Memorial Award. New credential modules debuted in 1984, and the office relocated to 2929 Mossrock in 1986.

Under Don Reneau's second term as president in 1986, Bettie Jo Hanley served as Executive Director. The Association's occupancy survey reached an all-time record that year, with 43,594 units reported by members, the first time the survey had exceeded 40,000 units. The Tu Amigo newsletter was SAAA's publication at this time. Bill Kaufman of Kaufman, Becker, Pullen & Reibach served as Legal Counsel; David Fritsche joined that firm in 1988, beginning his long service as SAAA's Legal Counsel. SAAA also hosted the TAA Annual Convention and Trade Show in 1986, May 14-17 at the Hyatt Regency, with San Antonio Mayor Henry Cisneros as keynote speaker at the Installation of Officers Luncheon.

By its 25th anniversary in 1989, SAAA had grown to nearly 700 members representing 85,000 units. That year, Enid White authored Remembrances of SAAA Past, a first-person historical account published in the October/November 1989 issue of the Apartment Magazine, documenting the Association's founding and early years from her perspective as SAAA's first employee. Bob Ross was recognized as NAA's 1989 convention chairman. The year also saw the Spike '89 volleyball tournament raise $2,000 for Project H.O.P.E. and the Battered Women's Shelter, and Henry Cisneros spoke at the August dinner meeting.

Yvonne Weber served as president in 1990, with Norene Hutchinson as Executive Director. The CAMT Council was formally established that year. Showcase '90 drew 67 vendors and 700 members, with nearly 500 staying for dinner, the largest dinner meeting in Association history to that point. The First Annual Maintenance Fair was held June 8 at the Century A/C Supply facility. The Association's government affairs work was active, with the Legislative Committee making trips to the Austin Capitol to engage with state legislators.

The 1990s saw continued leadership growth. Christina Garcia (1991), David Guin (1992), Annette Hoover (1993), Jeanne Wheeler (1994), Marc Ross (1995-96), Ken Brucks (1997), Gary Katleman (1998), Susan Choice (1999), and Steve Colella (2000) each led the Association through this decade of expansion.

SAAA completed its first strategic plan in 1992. Compensation and market conditions surveys launched in 1993, with the Market Conditions Report produced jointly with MicroData, Inc. In 1994, the Association launched its first Blood Drive, which brought in 255 eligible donors from 35 apartment communities and benefited over 1,000 patients. The annual SAAmy Awards Banquet was also established that year as SAAA's formal recognition event. Scott Blech, CAE served as Executive Director during this period, with David Fritsche as Legal Counsel.  David Guin, who had served as SAAA President in 1992, was later selected as Executive Director of SAAA and served in that role for approximately nine years, retiring in late 2007. During his tenure, Guin transformed the Association’s financial standing, building reserves from low five figures to close to one million dollars. He grew the Alamo Expo trade show from 110 booths to more than 130, created the Professional Education Program (PEP) with 15 education courses and discounts for designation courses, and led SAAA to win the TAA membership growth award four times in nine years. He also established a Government Affairs PAC program with “Club 99,” created the “Buddy Committee” for first-year member engagement, and worked tirelessly to build the reserves and plans for SAAA’s own headquarters building. Guin submitted his resignation effective September 29, 2007, and the Board unanimously selected Rose Selman, CAE of BCS Apartment Association as his successor. Staff additions during his tenure included Jodi O’Banion as Director of Programs and Special Events.

Under Marc Ross as president in 1995, the Association introduced the ISOC (Independent Small Owners Course), established a Safety Task Force and an Affordable Housing Task Force, and expanded its educational offerings. New credential offerings including NALP (1995) and an updated CAM course (1996) debuted, and industry operating expense surveys followed in 1996. Barbara MacManus, CPM and Bob Ross were confirmed as SAAA Lifetime Board Members. Office relocations in 1997 to Gardendale and 2002 to De Zavala accommodated the Association's growing staff and programs.

John Condit (2001), Bruce Peterson (2002), Rachelle Landry (2003), Ginger Miller (2004), Amy Estess (2005), Jill Welborn (2006), and Steve Ross (2007-08) guided the Association into its fifth decade. Construction of SAAA's own headquarters building began in 2008, and the Government Relations Director position was established that same year. The move to 7525 Babcock Road was completed in 2009 under President Kurt Seidel.

The 2010s brought further innovation under presidents Donna Schmidt (2010), Mark Hurley (2011), Kelley Liserio (2012), Renetta Quintana (2013), Mike Rust (2014), Allyson McKay (2015), Cheree Allee (2016), Debbie Wiatrek (2017), and Julie Agne-Highsmith (2018). The Independent Rental Owner (IRO) program, Maintenance Mania, and Business Exchange events debuted in 2010. Social media launched across four platforms in 2011, the Leadership Lyceum program held its inaugural class in 2012, and the Past Presidents Club was established in 2013. SAAA celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2014. The NextGen Committee was established and Bylaws revised in 2016. By 2018, SAAA had reached a milestone of 200,000 units under membership.

Celine Williams (2019), Selina Lazarin (2020), Jennifer Morales (2021), Victoria Dries Keeler (2022), Renetta Quintana (2023), Ryan Baldwin (2024), and Sunny Davila (2025) have led SAAA through a period of significant challenge and transformation. The Association adopted and approved a new Strategic Plan and Vision Statement in 2019.

Beginning in 2023, SAAA placed an increased emphasis on advocacy and intentional relationship-building with local, state, and national representation. Ryan Baldwin served as Government Relations Committee Chair in 2023 and again in 2025, with Sunny Davila serving in that role in 2024. Across this period, well over 200 meetings with candidates, elected officials, and City staff took place, representing a significant investment in SAAA's policy voice and civic presence. In 2026, Alan Ross is serving as Board President and led the effort to secure Board approval of the most recent Bylaws changes.

In early 2020, SAAA leadership began discussing COVID-19 protocols before a pandemic was declared. The COVID-19 Response Task Force developed the concept for a rental assistance program and worked with the City of San Antonio to bring it to life. That program became a model adopted nationwide. In-person events resumed gradually in 2021.

In 2023, the President's Award was renamed the Ross Family President's Award in honor of the Ross Family, with Alan Ross as the first recipient. Marc Ross was voted an Honorary Life Member by the Board of Directors. SAAA celebrated its 60th Anniversary in 2024. That same year, Life Member Barbara C. MacManus served as the presiding installing officer for the President on the 50th anniversary of her own service as President, and the Board approved educational courses as a benefit of membership.

By 2025, SAAA had grown to over 1,900 property owner management companies and multifamily communities representing over 260,000 rental units, with over 400 supplier members. SAAA launched a redesigned website in July 2025, and Alan Ross serves as Board President in 2026. In September 2026, the Association paid off the outstanding loan on its headquarters building at 7525 Babcock Road, becoming completely debt free — fulfilling the long-held vision first articulated by Executive Director David Guin of SAAA owning its own home free and clear.

Past Presidents

The following list reflects all SAAA presidents from the Association's founding through the current term.