I grew up in Corpus Christi, TX, and upon graduating HS I immediately enrolled into community college. Like most 18 year olds, I really didn’t know what I wanted to be when I grew up. After a couple of years, I made the bold decision that I wanted to pursue my dreams of being a rock star. That decision took me down a path of some amazing (and stressful) experiences. We experienced some relative success in radio, touring, and getting to open for bands such as Everclear, Blues Traveler, The Wailers (both of them), and ZZ Top!

Through that time, I lived in Houston and in Austin, but still didn’t really feel grounded. That all changed when I began dating my Junior High Sweetheart who would eventually become my wife, Yvonne (UTSA Alumni President and “Birds Up” Podcast Co-Host)! While dating, I moved to SA to be with her, and knowing that I needed to get back to school to finish my degree, her experience with UTSA made it an easy choice to do just that. Prior to enrolling, I used Yvonne’s login to look for a job on the UTSA Job Board and found an entry level position at a Risk Management Agency called IBTX. I was hired on, and shortly after I began my first classes at UTSA.

I was lucky enough to have the support of my colleagues and bosses to pursue my degree full time, while working full time, all while playing Club Rugby for UTSA. Playing Rugby for the University, I was selected (along with 3 other UTSA Ruggers) to play for the All Lone Star Conference New Zealand Touring Side and had the opportunity to represent Runner Nation in the country that currently defines that sport. Shortly after my return, I graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BBA in Management in 2017.

Today I still work for IBTX, having worked through the ranks I am currently the Vice President of Surety and Partner in the Agency. Yvonne and I welcomed our “Baby Bird”, Gareth, into the world in July of 2020. Top that off with Yvonne starting a new company (Addison Prime), I’d say we’re up to our “beaks” in some significant life changes!

We’re both so excited to work with the UTSA Alumni Association on the podcast so that we can help spread the word of what’s going on within the association, the University, and Runner Nation! We’re also pumped to meet and get to know as many alumni as we can along the way.

Melissa Adame '98

Melissa has dedicated her career to the technology industry, driven by a passion for delivering innovative solutions that provide tangible value and results to clients. During this time, she had the privilege of leading and managing diverse teams, successfully implementing sustainable and secure solutions for clients across various sectors, including Federal, State, Municipal, Private Business, Non-Profits, and Agencies providing sustainable, scalable and secure solutions in Network/IT, Digital Marketing, Web and Application Development, Mobile Apps,UX/UI Design, Creative and Branding Strategy, Ongoing Support, and more.

Her journey in technology has been intertwined with the legacy of Webhead, one of the original Latina-owned startups in San Antonio, celebrating it’s 30 years of success this year.

As a UTSA Alumna, she has a strong passion for promoting and actively contributing to past and current students through servant leadership and volunteering. She currently serves on the UTSA Alumni Board and is Co-Chair for The College for Health, Community and Policy (HCAP) Alumni Leadership Circle. You can find her cheering on UTSA Athletics any time of the year.

Jacob Cavazos '06

Jacob is the Senior Vice President and Community Reinvestment Manager at Broadway Bank. He works with corporate leadership to provide oversight and direction on community needs in San Antonio, Austin, and the Hill Country. Jacob manages bank efforts supporting financial literacy, affordable housing, economic development, education, and facilitates corporate philanthropic giving. Prior to joining Broadway Bank, he spent 13 years at Frost Bank, with the last 10 years as Vice President and Community Development Officer managing community reinvestment efforts in San Antonio and the Rio Grande Valley. Additionally, he spent a year as Vice President of Frost Marketing, managing state-wide marketing programs and efforts in underserved market segments. 

Jacob holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio (’06), and is a graduate of the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Alexander Briseño Leadership Development Program. Jacob currently serves on the board of directors for Communities In Schools of San Antonio (CISSA), the UTSA Alumni Association, and the South San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.  He also serves on the executive committee for Communittees In Schools of San Antonio, as board secretary, as well as the CISSA external relations committee.  Additionally, he serves on the advisory board for the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County Emerging Leaders Council (ELC), is the vice chair of the ELC professional development committee, and serves on the scholarship committee for the UTSA Alumni Association.  He has previously served on the United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County program review and accountability review committees, as well as the steering committee for the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce ABLDP leadership development program.  He currently serves on Broadway Bank’s Donations Committee, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and chairs the CRA Committee.

Jacob married his wife, Megan, in 2010 and they are the proud parents of 2 wonderful children, Tinsley and Liam. He also serves as a music minister at Alamo City Church in San Antonio, TX.

Joshua Amparan '07