Throughout his life, he has cultivated deep ties to the community, where his career spans more than 20 years with senior management and executive roles in the private and public sectors.
Since joining VIA in 2017, Jon Gary has served as a dynamic and influential leader, holding the role of Senior Vice President of Public Engagement during the agency’s most transformative years since it was established in 1977. During this time, VIA was named the “Most Outstanding Metropolitan Transit Agency” three times and earned the highest customer satisfaction ratings among national public transit peers.
He was named President & CEO in 2024 and has strengthened his commitment to VIA’s mission to connect the community and help build a strong agency that supports the growing city and region.
Before joining VIA, Jon Gary was Regional Vice President of Communications for Spectrum (formerly Time Warner Cable), where he led award-winning strategic communications, public relations, and government affairs programs for 2 million customers throughout Texas. He also served as Vice President of Business Development for the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, where his work included initiatives to support and grow small businesses, with a priority on business education services and programs.
He continues to be recognized for raising over $450,000 in local scholarships as a former Rey Feo and member of the Rey Feo Consejo Educational Foundation. The local civic and cultural organization is active in San Antonio’s annual Fiesta celebrations and ongoing fundraising for educational opportunities and student programs.
Carrying forward a proven strategy throughout his career, Jon Gary’s vision for VIA includes building strong community partnerships that highlight transit’s ability to connect people and opportunity. He understands the value and great potential for investment in the local economy, supported by transit and the workforce it delivers.
Jon Gary’s informed and impassioned perspective has been key to advancing critical issues with broad support — most recently, regarding VIA’s Keep San Antonio Moving initiative that is delivering modern mass transit options to the region.
Growing transit ridership and VIA’s workforce are among the priorities Jon Gary has set for the agency, giving credit to the more than 2,000 frontline and administrative employees at VIA, as it prepares to mark a half-century of service in San Antonio and Bexar County.
Among his longtime service to local civic and non-profit causes, Jon Gary serves on the Boards of the San Antonio Mobility Coalition (SAMCo), the Rey Feo Consejo Organization (past Regent), and the St. Anthony Catholic School Board of Trustees. He has previously served as Vice Chair of the San Antonio Housing Authority Board, Chair of the Texas Cable Association, Chair of the West Side Chamber of Commerce (now South Texas Business Partnership), San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, American Public Transportation Association Marketing and Communications Committee, and the South and West Transit Association Marketing and Communications Committee.
