Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025

April Ancira

Vice President

Ancira Auto Group

Location:  Witte Museum, Dawson Family Hall

Registration, Breakfast and Networking - 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Program - 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Ancira, which she stepped into in January 2004. It was during her time at the NADA Dealer Academy in 2005 that she met her husband, Jason Thomson, who joined her in both life and business as the Vice President of Operations.

April’s dedication to professional growth didn’t stop there. She pursued advanced finance training and remains committed to her education through NADA and TADA. Her leadership skills quickly became apparent as she took on significant roles, serving as chairman of the local San Antonio Dealer Association twice and leading the Texas Automotive Board in 2021. Her influence extended to the Texas Automobile Dealers Association, where she was Chairman Elect, and she played key roles on various boards, including legislative committees and strategic development.

But April's impact isn't limited to the automotive world. She actively participates on 10 to 12 non-profit and civic boards, tirelessly fundraising and contributing to the San Antonio community. Her dedication has earned her numerous awards and recognition from both educational institutions and civic organizations.

At home, April is a devoted mother to two children, Hope and Gunnar, who attend TMI Middle and High School. She shares her life with Jason, a fourth-generation dealer, and their two spirited dogs.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, April thrives on adventure and challenges. She holds a pilot’s license, dabbles in stand-up comedy, and while she once faced a hilarious mishap singing the national anthem at a baseball game, she took it all in stride. Not to mention, she has conquered 13 full Ironman races, including the prestigious World Championship in Hawaii.

April Ancira's life is a testament to perseverance, passion, and the pursuit of excellence, inspiring those around her.

Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

Linda Ratner RN MBA CEPA

President

Ratner Consulting

Location:  Witte Museum, Dawson Family Hall

Registration, Breakfast and Networking - 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Program - 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Linda Ratner is an accomplished business owner, master coach, and sought-after speaker. She is a trusted advisor across the service, professional, industrial, and technology industries. Her client roster includes companies in legal, engineering, HVAC, trucking, healthcare, insurance, pest control, accounting, wealth management, construction, non-profits, IT, and manufacturing. Executives leverage her vast business experience to navigate disruption and change. With her strong financial acumen, she enables business owners to drive productivity, growth, and long-term success - no matter the business climate. 

Linda holds a broad range of certifications, including, but not limited to: 

• MBA
• Registered Nurse
• Value Builder Coach
• The Predictive Index
• Native Spanish Speaker
• Scaling Up Certified Coach
• Value Builder Coach’s Coach
• 60 Minute CFO Certified Coach
• Former Certified TAB facilitator
• Stakeholder Centered Coaching
• Former Certified EOS implementer
• Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA)
• John Maxwell Certified Leadership Coach
• Cash Flow Financial Analysis & Forecasting

Unlike other coaches with similar credentials, Linda is an actual business owner. She’s successfully built and sold her own company, Impact Urgent Care Clinics. She currently leads Ratner Consulting and 541 Investments.

As a registered nurse, Linda has a heart for helping others. Specifically, her emergency room experience allows her clients to rely on her cool, calm approach. She’s able to ask the right questions, prioritize, and triage to drive fast results for her customers. As a business leader, executives harness her acute eye for detail and problem-solving skills to reach their goals. Whether scaling operations or rightsizing, Linda helps business leaders navigate today’s business environment through financial clarity, effective execution, and sustainable growth. 

When not helping business owners grow and adapt, Linda enjoys tennis, traveling, and her three children Jacob, Bailey, and Aaron. She resides in San Antonio Texas with her husband, Evan, and her two dogs, Roxy and Mac.

Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026

Mark Medici

Publisher / CEO

San Antonio Express-News / Hearst Central Texas Media

Location:  Witte Museum, Dawson Family Hall

Registration, Breakfast and Networking - 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Program - 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

Mark is the Publisher of the San Antonio Express-News, the Austin American-Statesman, oversees two award winning city magazines in San Antonio and Austin and MYSA, one of the largest culture and lifestyle digital websites in the United States.  A 3rd generation media executive, Mark’s family has been involved in the Publishing industry since 1911.

The San Antonio/Austin metroplex is the fastest growing region in the United States and the 170+ journalists reach 4.2mm of the 5.3mm households in the region each month.

Prior to joining the Express-News in February of 2020 Mark was the President of the Houston Chronicle and the Chief Marketing Officer for Hearst Newspapers.  Mark worked previously at Cox Media Group, The Dallas Morning News and The Oregonian.  Mark is an evangelist of the digital subscription economy.  While at The Dallas Morning News Mark and his team launched the first paid digital subscription model at a metropolitan market in March of 2011.  A source of great pride The Morning News beat The New York Times to the paid digital marketplace.

Mark is a graduate of The University of Washington and is a fellow of the Punch Sulzberger Media Business Program at Columbia University in New York.  Mark sits on the Newspaper Media of America’s liaison committee and has spoken across to the country about the importance of child welfare and health since 2005.  Mark and his wife Annalee are active fundraisers for the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Clinic at Duke University where their oldest daughter Olivia was treated for a rare genetic disorder.  Mark is an active member of the United Way community.

When Mark is not at work you will find him hanging out with Annalee and their two kids (Eva and Blake), playing tennis, attempting to play golf, riding his Peloton or watching his beloved Huskies and Seahawks.

Thursday, March 26, 2026

TBD