Overview
Established in 1931 by the Jaycees, this award honors outstanding young San Antonians who exemplify the Rotary philosophy of "Service Above Self" by making exceptional contributions to the community. In 2002 the Rotary Club of San Antonio began selecting recipients.
Recipients included Tom Slick, Tom Frost Jr, Nelson Wolff, Henry Cisneros, Bonnie Reed, Pat Frost, Tim Duncan, Rick Cavender.
This Year's Recipient
The Rotary Club of San Antonio proudly honors Kevin L. Matula as the 2025 Outstanding Young San Antonian. As Director of Government Relations at USAA, Kevin is a respected leader in public affairs, known for his commitment to service, community, and integrity. His career has spanned mission-driven organizations like CPS Energy and Zachry Group, always guided by the belief that institutions led with purpose can be powerful forces for good. A dedicated civic voice, Kevin has served in leadership roles with the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, United Way, and St. Mary’s University, where he mentors future public servants. A proud son of Karnes City and adopted son of San Antonio, Kevin is celebrated not just for his professional accomplishments, but for his grounded presence, loyalty, and deep-rooted values. His enduring impact reflects a life lived with intention, purpose, and a passion for strengthening the community he calls home.
Previous Recipients
- 2025 – Kevin Matula
- 2024 – David Robinson Jr.
- 2023 – Cyle Perez
- 2022 – David Robinson
- 2021 – Emma Faye Rudkin
- 2020 – Ryan Lugalia-Hollon
- 2019 – Lorenzo Gomez
- 2018 – April Ancira Thompson
- 2017 – Rey Saldaña
- 2016 – Brandon Logan
- 2015 – Jon Marek
- 2014 – Shannon Sedwick Davis
- 2013 – Rev. Gavin Rogers
- 2012 – Jennifer Paquette
- 2011 – Armen Babajanian
- 2010 – Bruce Bowen
- 2009 – Rebecca Brune
- 2008 – Mark Larson
- 2007 – Lanham Napier
- 2006 – Dr. Fernando Lopez
- 2005 – Josh Davis
- 2004 – Leslie Mouton
- 2003 – Tim Duncan
- 2002 – Mark Mays
- 2001 – Mayor Ed Garza
- 2000 – Justice Wallace Jefferson
- 1999 – Pat Frost
- 1998 – David Robinson
- 1997 – Ron Barshop
- 1996 – Lyle Larson
- 1995 – Richard H. Cavender
- 1994 – T.J. Connolly
- 1993 – Robert G. Marbut, Jr.
- 1992 – Richard P. Ojeda
- 1991 – Judge Carleton B. Spears
- 1990 – Judge Bonnie Reed
- 1989 – Karyne Jones Conley
- 1988 – Thomas Yantis
- 1987 – Cyndi Taylor Krier
- 1986 – Dr. Louis Agnese, Jr.
- 1985 – Gilbert F. Vazquez
- 1984 – Roy Barrera, Jr.
- 1983 – Paul Rush
- 1982 – Gary Short
- 1981 – James Dublin
- 1980 – Carl D. Newton, III
- 1979 – Frank Tejeda
- 1978 – Dan Loveland
- 1977 – Tom Vickers
- 1976 – W.W. McAllister, III
- 1975 – Henry G. Cisneros
- 1974 – Bernard M. Brooks, Jr.
- 1973 – Reese L. Harrison
- 1972 – Nelson W. Wolff
- 1971 – Bob Lee
- 1970 – Segal V. Wheatley
- 1969 – Charles S. Nelson
- 1968 – Douglas Mitchell
- 1967 – Boone Powell
- 1966 – James L. Hayne
- 1965 – Lloyd Jary, Jr.
- 1964 – Charles L. Smith
- 1963 – W. Don Tiner
- 1962 – Franklin S. Spears
- 1961 – Tom Frost, Jr.
- 1960 – Jack Pitcluk, Jr.
- 1959 – Porter Loring, Jr.
- 1958 – Jack Cones
- 1957 – John Daniels
- 1956 – Hubert Green, Jr
- 1955 – Walter Corrigan
- 1954 – Bob Hollingsworth
- 1953 – Bill Southwell
- 1952 – Sam Riklin
- 1951 – Bill Camp
- 1951 – Sam Jarle
- 1951 – Sam Riklin
- 1951 – Phil Willis
- 1951 – Forres E. Wood
- 1950 – William Bellamy
- 1950 – John W. Fielder
- 1950 – Jack C. Hamilton
- 1950 – Paul K. Herder
- 1950 – Henry J. Sebastian
- 1949 – James V. McGoodwin
- 1948 – Tom Slick
- 1947 – Dan Gates
- 1946 – Lou Riklin
- 1945 – Angus Cockrell
- 1944 – Carl Stromberger
- 1943 – Willis Tate
- 1942 – Harold Risener
- 1941 – Walter Thomas
- 1940 – Jake Tiner
- 1939 – Albert Buss
- 1938 – Jesse Fletcher
- 1937 – Theo Weiss
- 1936 – Fred Felty
- 1935 – Joni Jones
- 1934 – Bailey Peyton
- 1933 – Guy Bonham
- 1932 – Arthur Pfeil
- 1931 – Youngs Crook
Thank you Rotary Club Of San Antonio for selecting me as this year’s winner. We are lucky to have such a great organization here in SA.
APRIL T.
2018 Recipient
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CDR HAROLD RISENER
1941 Recipient
Humbled and honored to receive the 2023 Outstanding Young San Antonian Award from the Rotary Club of San Antonio, joining a legacy of community leaders who demonstrate Service Above Self dating all the way back to the 1930s! I also had the opportunity to share my story and encourage others to not “think outside of the box”—there is no box when it comes to paving a brighter future! Grateful for the support of my mentors, friends, and family who inspire and encourage me daily.
CYLE P.
2023 Recipient
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