Community Input Committee (CIC)
Background:
The CPS Energy Community Input Committee (CIC) formerly the Citizens Advisory Committee, was created by the CPS Energy Board of Trustees by resolution dated May 26, 1998. The CIC is a volunteer group, created through the action of CPS Energy’s Board of Trustees. Committee members do not receive compensation for their participation.
More Information: Approved Community Input Committee Bylaws
The CIC will provide feedback to the Board of Trustees and CPS Energy management on key initiatives, as requested by the Board. The CIC will have three subcommittees: Power & Technology; Rates, Finance & Business; and Customer Relations & Communications. Every member will serve on one subcommittee.
Mission:
The mission of the CIC is to assemble diverse perspectives that represent our community to evaluate and advise CPS Energy in its mission to serve our community through reliable, competitively priced, and sustainable energy services in an equitable manner by serving as liaisons with the community and communicating bi-directional input on business activities.
Membership:
The 19 members of the CIC are appointed to ensure that the committee is representative of a cross-section of individuals with diverse backgrounds and interests in the CPS Energy service area.
- 10 members are recommended by their respective San Antonio City Council Members and reside within the boundaries of their corresponding City Council districts.
- 5 at-large members are CPS Energy customers living in the CPS Energy service area and are selected by the CIC. (at least 2 reside inside the utility’s service territory but outside the City of San Antonio city limits).
- 4 members are customers residing in each of the four geographical quadrants and are selected by the CPS Energy Board of Trustees.
The CPS Energy Board of Trustees approves all appointments to the CIC.
Terms:
Appointment terms do not exceed two years from the date of the appointment. A member cannot serve more than three complete consecutive terms on the CIC, for a maximum of six total years.
Meetings:
CIC meetings are open to the public and will be livestreamed.
Meet Our Community Input Committee (CIC)
Richard Farias
District 1 Representative
Farias is the current chair of the CIC Customer Relations and Communications subcommittee and is the Director of Annual Giving at the Alamo Colleges District. In this role, he leads charitable giving efforts that benefit the students of all five colleges within the organization. Previously, he has served in faculty and administrative roles at San Antonio College. He is a lifelong resident of San Antonio and is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity efforts through professional and volunteer service.
Lawson Picasso
District 2 Representative
Picasso currently chairs the CIC Rates, Finance, and Business subcommittee and works as a Communications and Public Involvement Coordinator for WSP USA, based in San Antonio, TX. With over 10 years of experience, Lawson has a diverse background in strategic marketing, communications, and advertising. In addition to her professional work, Lawson has dedicated her time to her community through involvement in local non-profit organizations focused on addressing the current inequities faced by seniors and those experiencing chronic homelessness.
Diana Aguirre Martinez
District 3 Representative Chair
Aguirre Martinez is the current committee chair of the CIC and works as the Office Administrator for the Missionary Catechists of Divine Providence. She is a lifelong resident of District 3, and serves as the President of the Association of Women in Communication-San Antonio Chapter, a Posada Guadalupe Board member, and serves the community as a member of various non-profit organizations. Ms. Aguirre Martinez holds a master's degree in Communication Arts from the University of the Incarnate Word.
Frank Gonzalez
District 4 Representative
Gonzalez is the Area Manager for Alpha Environmental Management Company and is active in environmental conservation efforts in the San Antonio area and Texas. He also volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and Building A Purpose and serves as a mentor with Communities In Schools.
Raquel Zapata
District 6 Representative
Raquel Zapata is the Director of Business Development and Compliance for Great Hearts Online. She has lived in San Antonio for 40+ years and is a member of the SAPD Civilian Advisory Review Board, among other community and civic organizations.
Dr. Adelita Cantu
District 7 Representative
Adelita G Cantu, PhD, RN, FAAN is an Associate Professor at the School of Nursing, UT Health San Antonio. Dr. Cantu is a board member of the Alliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments and is Chair of the Texas Physicians for Social Responsibility.
Tom Corser
District 9 Representative
Corser is retired from a career in the technology industry, most recently working with Juniper Networks based in Sunnyvale California where he led a transformation from hardware to software/cloud based offerings. He has lived in San Antonio for 4 years, prior to relocating from New Jersey where he was active in many civic and township boards and commissions.
John Kelly
District 8 Representative
Past Chair
Kelly, retired, currently serves as the President of Crownridge of Texas Owners Association. Prior to retirement, he was a 34-year employee with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), having served as the San Antonio region’s District Engineer for ten years. Following his TxDOT retirement, Kelly consulted for AECOM & CH2M engineering companies. Today he enjoys spoiling his grandchildren and traveling.
Vanessa Alvarado
District 10 Representative
Alvarado is a native San Antonian and attended UTSA where she studied business administration. Alvarado serves as a Board Member for the Bexar County Election Integrity Board as well as a member of the 2022 State Delegation SD25, Nomination Committee. She is active in her community serving on various neighborhood association and school board committees.
Members at Large:
Andra Clapsaddle
Member at Large
Clapsaddle is a retired Air Force Colonel having served in the engineering field for 28 years. She is the sole proprietor of Clapsaddle Consulting, providing strategic planning and programming expertise to the federal government, architectural-engineering firms, and non-profit agencies. She is a recent graduate of the Master’s Leadership Program San Antonio, and is now dedicating herself to serving on non-profit boards.
Bob Zapata
Member at Large
Zapata is a retired chemical engineer with over 30 years in the oil and gas industry. He has extensive project management experience having held leadership and support roles on various major projects. Additionally, Zapata is experienced in cyber security and process control and improvement. He has resided in San Antonio for 8 years and is active in the community.
Aaron Stein
Member at Large
Stein is a Project Manager with Pacific Northwest National Lab, focused on energy and climate resiliency initiatives. His previous professional roles include Director of Energy & Sustainability at the San Antonio Independent School District, Market Outreach Specialist at CLEAResult, and the Sr. Energy Analyst at the City of San Antonio. Stein has a Master of Public Administration and BA in Anthropology from the University of Texas at San Antonio and is a Certified Energy Manager through the Association of Energy Engineers.
Steve Bonnette
Member at Large
Bonnette is the current chair of the CIC power and technology subcommittee and is a retired Civil Engineer with over 40 years in the consulting industry in Texas and Louisiana, most recently with Pape-Dawson Engineers in San Antonio. He has resided in San Antonio for 24 years and is active in regional, state and local boards and committees.
